The major group human rhinovirus type 8 can enter cells via heparan sulphate. When internalized into ICAM-1 negative rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells, HRV8 accumulated in the cells but caused CPE only after 3 days when used at high MOI. Adaptation by three blind passages alternating between RD and HeLa cells resulted in variant HRV8v with decreased stability at acidic pH allowing for productive infection in the absence of ICAM-1. HRV8v produced CPE at 10 times lower MOI within 1 day. Confocal fluorescence microscopy colocalization and the use of pharmacological and dominant negative inhibitors revealed that viral uptake is clathrin, caveolin, and flotillin independent. However, it is blocked by dynasore, amiloride, and EIPA. Furthermore, HRV8v induced FITC-dextran uptake and colocalized with this fluid phase marker. Except for the complete inhibition by dynasore, the entry pathway of HRV8v via HS is similar to that of HRV14 in RD cells that overexpress ICAM-1.
