A high-content RNA-based imaging assay reveals integrin beta 1 as a cofactor for cell entry of non-enveloped hepatitis E virus

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a major cause of acute hepatitis and mainly transmitted faecal-orally. HEV particles in faeces are non-enveloped, while those in the blood possess a cell-derived lipid envelope. Despite being a global health concern, there is limited understanding of the steps in the HEV life cycle, particularly cell entry. A previous study proposed integrin alpha 3 (ITGA3) as a potential host factor for nHEV entry, but the β-integrin partner that co-mediates HEV entry has not been described. To address this knowledge gap and resolve the existing controversies surrounding HEV cell entry, we developed an RNA-FISH-based high-content imaging assay alllowing investigation of the entry pathways of both naked and enveloped HEV particles. Our observations indicate that naked HEV particles interact with the surface receptor integrin beta 1 (ITGB1), which likely facilitates their trafficking through the recycling endosome. In contrast, enveloped HEV particles do not interact with ITGB1 and instead use the classical endocytic pathway via the early endosome. Importantly, both forms of HEV require endosomal acidification and proteolytic cleavage by lysosomal cathepsins, which ultimately results in delivery of the HEV genome to the cytoplasm.