RSV infection of Hep-2 or HeLa cells leads to biochemical and morphological changes of
cytoskeletal intermediate filaments (IF). Thus, human cytokeratin 18 is modified to generate
a more acidic polypeptide of slightly larger apparent molecular weight. In addition, the
amounts of vimentin and other cytokeratins are reduced, probably as a consequence of
proteolytic degradation. These changes are reflected in a decrease of immunofluorescence
with specific antibodies in RSV-induced syncytia and a more disorganized arrangement of IF …