Impact of the isoelectric point of model parvoviruses on viral retention in anion‐exchange chromatography

Anion‐exchange chromatography (AEX) is used in the downstream purification of monoclonal antibodies to remove impurities and potential viral contamination based on electrostatic interactions. Although the isoelectric point (pI) of viruses is considered a key factor predicting the virus adsorption to the resin, the precise molecular mechanisms involved remain unclear. To address this question, we compared structurally homologous parvoviruses that only differ in their surface charge distribution. A single charged amino acid substitution on the capsid surface of minute virus of mice (MVM) provoked an increased apparent pI (pI_app) 6.2 compared to wild‐type MVM (pI_app = 4.5), as determined by chromatofocusing. Despite their radically different pI_app, both viruses displayed the same interaction profile in Mono Q AEX at different pH conditions. In contrast, the closely related canine parvovirus (pI_app = 5.3) displayed a significantly different interaction at pH 5. The detailed structural analysis of the intricate three‐dimensional structure of the capsids suggests that the charge distribution is critical, and more relevant than the pI, in controlling the interaction of a virus with the chromatographic resin. This study contributes to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing virus clearance by AEX, which is crucial to enable robust process design and maximize safety.     

Co‐localized Crassostrea virginica and Crassostrea ariakensis Oysters differ in bioaccumulation,retention and depuration of microbial indicators and human enteropathogens

Aims: To evaluate the bioaccumulation, retention and depuration rates of nine pathogens and surrogates when two oyster species were co‐localized in tanks of seawater. Methods and Results: Crassostrea ariakensis (n = 52) and Crassostrea virginica (n = 52) were exposed to five virus types, two protozoan and two microsporidian species for 24 h. Oysters were then placed in depuration tanks, and subsets were removed and analysed for micro‐organisms at weekly intervals. The odds of C. ariakensis oysters harbouring mouse norovirus‐1 (MNV‐1), human norovirus (NoV) or haepatitis A virus (HAV) were significantly greater than the odds of C. virginica oysters harbouring the same viruses (MNV‐1 OR = 5·05, P = 0·03; NoV OR = 6·97, P = 0·01; HAV OR = 7·40, P < 0·001). Additionally, compared to C. virginica, C. ariakensis retained significantly higher numbers of transmissive stages of all protozoan and microsporidian species (P < 0·01). Crassostrea ariakensis oysters are also capable of retaining multiple human pathogens for at least 1 month. Conclusions: Crassostrea ariakensis oysters were statistically more likely to harbour enteropathogens and microbial indicators, compared to C. virginica. Individual C. ariakensis were also statistically more likely to retain multiple viruses, protozoa and microsporidia than C. virginica, highlighting the role the species may play in the transmission of multiple diseases. Significance and Impact of the Study: Nonnative Crassostrea ariakensis oysters are under review for their introduction into the Chesapeake Bay. The results of this study suggest that nonnative C. ariakensis oysters may present a serious public health threat to people consuming the oysters raw from contaminated sites.     

Enveloped virus inactivation using neutral arginine solutions and applications in therapeutic protein purification processes

For the manufacturing of recombinant protein therapeutics produced from mammalian cell culture, demonstrating the capacity of the purification process to effectively clear infectious viruses is a regulatory requirement. At least two process steps, using different mechanisms of virus removal and/or inactivation, should be validated in support of the regulatory approval process. For example, exposure of the product stream to low pH, detergents or solvent/detergent combinations is commonly incorporated in protein purification processes for the inactivation of lipid‐enveloped viruses. However, some proteins have limited stability at low pH or in the presence of the detergents, and alternative techniques for achieving the inactivation of enveloped viruses would be beneficial. We present here an alternative and novel approach for the rapid inactivation of enveloped viruses using pH‐neutral buffer solutions containing arginine. The implementation of this approach in a monoclonal antibody or Fc‐fusion protein purification process is described and illustrated with several different therapeutic proteins. The use of the neutral pH arginine solution was able to effectively inactivate two enveloped model viruses, with no measurable effect on the product quality of the investigated proteins. Thus, the use of pH‐neutral arginine containing buffer solutions provides an alternative means of virus inactivation where other forms of virus inactivation, such as low pH and/or solvent/detergent treatments are not possible or undesirable due to protein stability limitations. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 30:108–112, 2014     

Assessment of poly‐l‐lysine dendrigrafts for virus concentration in water: use of MS2 bacteriophage as proof of concept

Aims

Virus detection has often been difficult due to a low concentration in water. In this study, we developed a new procedure based on concentration of virus particles on an innovative support: poly‐l ‐lysine dendrigrafts (DGL), coupled with directed nucleic acid extraction and real‐time PCR quantification.

Methods and Results

This method was evaluated using the bacteriophage MS2 as a model virus. This virus exhibited the size and structural properties of human pathogenic enteric viruses and has often been used to assess new supports of concentration. Moreover, this bacteriophage is also a faecal contamination indicator. In this study, many water filtration conditions were tested (volume of water, concentration, etc.), and more than 80% of bacteriophage were recovered after filtration on polymer, in most conditions. We demonstrated that the method was linear (slope = 0·99 ± 0·04 and Y intercept when x = ?0·02 ± 0·28), valid (as manipulators, tested concentrations, volumes of sample and batch of polymer did not have any influence on concentration) and sensitive (allowing to concentrate up to 16 600‐fold 1 l of sample and to detect and quantify down to 750 GC l^?1 and 7500 GC l^?1, respectively).

Conclusions

To conclude, this support exhibits high interest to retain viruses and to allow to detect low concentration of virus in water.

Significance and Impact of the Study

This study gives valuable advance in the methods of concentration and diagnosis of virus in water.     

The carp M1 muscle‐specific creatine kinase subisoform is adaptive to the synchronized changes in body temperature and intracellular pH that occur in the common carp Cyprinus carpio

The three previously cloned Cyprinus carpio muscle‐specific subisoforms of creatine kinase (CK, EC 2.7.3.2) designated M1‐, M2‐ and M3‐CK were examined. At temperatures <15° C and at pH >7·7, specific activities of M1‐CK were three to eight‐fold higher than specific activities of M3‐ and rabbit (R) M‐CK. At pH 8·0, M1‐CK exhibited its highest specific activity at 15° C. Michaelis constants of PCr () and ADP () of M1‐CK were relatively stable at pH between 7·1–8·0 and 25–5° C. Its calculated activation energy of catalysis (E_a) at pH 8·0 was lower than at pH 7·1. Circular dichroism spectroscopy results showed that changes in secondary structures in M1‐CK at the pH and temperatures studied were much less than in the cases of RM‐ and M3‐CK. The M1‐CK enzyme seemed to have evolved to adapt to the synchronized changes in body temperature and intracellular pH of C. carpio.     

Purification, serological relationships and some characteristics of plum line-pattern virus

Plum line-pattern virus (PLV) was purified by homogenizing inoculated leaves of Nicotiana megalosiphon in 0·02 M phosphate buffer, pH 8·0 (1·5 ml/g leaf), containing 0·02 M 2-mercaptoethanol. The homogenate was centrifuged at low speed and the supernatant liquid was clarified by adjusting the pH to 4·8 with 0·1 M citric acid. The green coagulum was removed by centri-fugation and the extract adjusted to pH 6·5. After concentrating the virus by high-speed centrifugation, remaining host protein was precipitated with the gamma-globulin fraction of antiserum to N. megalosiphon protein. Purification was completed with two cycles of high- and low-speed centrifugation. Purified PLV had an A₂₆₀/A₂₈₀ ratio of c. 1·7 and formed two zones when centrifuged in density gradients at pH 6·0–7·0. The virus was about 30 mμ in diameter in negatively stained preparations. The particles were easily disrupted. PLV was closely serologically related to cultures of plum line-pattern virus from other areas, but no relationship was found to apple mosaic, Prunus necrotic ringspot or prune dwarf viruses, or to a plum line-pattern virus from Denmark.     

The study of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone in experimental diabetes mellitus

It is generally accepted that hypertension and other vascular pathologies increase in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients as a result of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone (RAA) system. In this study, changes in the renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone (RAA) system level was determined in Streptozotocin (STZ)‐injected rats. A total of 46 female Wistar albino rats (180–220 g body weight) was utilized in these experiments. STZ was given intraperitoneally to induce diabetes in rats. Streptozotocin (60 mg kg⁻¹ body weight) was dissolved in 0·1 m citrate–‐phosphate buffer (pH 4–5). The non‐diabetic rats were injected with sterilized buffer alone to act as a control group. Blood glucose levels were 398±8·2 mg dl⁻¹, 488±11·75 mg dl⁻¹ and 658±29·6 mg dl⁻¹ at days 3, 12 and 30 respectively. The level of plasma renin activity (PRA) was measured as 7·69±1·07 ng ml⁻¹ h⁻¹; 1·82±0·22 ng ml⁻¹ h⁻¹ and 0·67±0·12 ng ml⁻¹ h⁻¹ at days 3, 12 and 30, respectively. These values showed that the PRA levels are decreased with increased time period. Serum angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE, E.C. 3.4.15.1) levels were increased at days 12 and 30 (p<0·05 and p<0·005), whereas serum aldosterone levels were increased at days 3 and 12 (p<0·05). The level of urea and creatinine increased at days 12 and 30 (p<0·05 and p<0·005, respectively) when compared to the control group. The data from these experiments indicate that the PRA level decreased whereas ACE activity level increased in diabetic rats compared with the control. Aldosterone levels increased at the first stage of the experiment, but then decreased by the end of the experiment as a result of changes in renin and ACE levels. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Adsorption of viruses to charge-modified silica.

The purpose of this study was to provide a clearer understanding of virus adsorption, focusing specifically on the role of electrostatic interactions between virus particles and adsorbent surfaces. The adsorption of poliovirus 1, reovirus types 1 and 3, and coliphages MS-2 and T2 to colloidal silica synthetically modified to carry either positive or negative surface charge was evaluated. Adsorption experiments were performed by combining virus and silica in 0.1-ionic-strength buffers of pH 4.0, 6.4, and 8.5. Samples agitated for specified adsorption periods were centrifuged to pellet adsorbent particles plus adsorbed virus, and the supernatants were assayed for unadsorbed virus. All viruses adsorbed exclusively to negatively charged silica at pH values below their isoelectric points, i.e., under conditions favoring a positive surface charge on the virions. Conversely, all viruses adsorbed exclusively to positively charged silica at pH values above their isoelectric points, i.e., where virus surface charge is negative. Viruses in near-isoelectric state adsorbed to all types of silica, albeit to a lesser degree.     

Adsorption of viruses to charge-modified silica

The purpose of this study was to provide a clearer understanding of virus adsorption, focusing specifically on the role of electrostatic interactions between virus particles and adsorbent surfaces. The adsorption of poliovirus 1, reovirus types 1 and 3, and coliphages MS-2 and T2 to colloidal silica synthetically modified to carry either positive or negative surface charge was evaluated. Adsorption experiments were performed by combining virus and silica in 0.1-ionic-strength buffers of pH 4.0, 6.4, and 8.5. Samples agitated for specified adsorption periods were centrifuged to pellet adsorbent particles plus adsorbed virus, and the supernatants were assayed for unadsorbed virus. All viruses adsorbed exclusively to negatively charged silica at pH values below their isoelectric points, i.e., under conditions favoring a positive surface charge on the virions. Conversely, all viruses adsorbed exclusively to positively charged silica at pH values above their isoelectric points, i.e., where virus surface charge is negative. Viruses in near-isoelectric state adsorbed to all types of silica, albeit to a lesser degree.     

Salt-induced pH changes in spinach chloroplast suspension. Changes in surface potential and surface pH of thylakoid membranes

A pH decrease in chloroplast suspension in media of low salt concentration was observed when a salt was added at pH values higher than 4.4, while at lower pH values a pH increase was observed. The salt-induced pH changes depended on the valence and concentration of cations of added salts at neutral pH values (higher than 4.4) and on those of anions at acidic pH values (lower than 4.4). The order of effectiveness was trivalent > divalent > monovalent. The pH value change by salt addition was affected by the presence of ionic detergents depending on the sign of their charges. These characteristics agreed with those expected from the Gouy-Chapman theory on diffuse electrical double layers. The results were interpreted in terms of the changes in surface potential, surface pH and the ionization of surface groups which result in the release (or binding) of H⁺ to (or from) the outer medium.The analysis of the data of KCl-induced pH change suggests that the change in the surface charge density of thylakoid membranes depends mainly on the ionization of carboxyl groups, which is determined by the surface pH. When the carboxyl groups are fully dissociated, the surface charge density reaches ?1.0 ± 0.1 · 10^?3 elementary charge/square Å.Dependence of the estimated surface potential on the bulk pH was similar to that of electrophoretic mobility of thylakoid membrane vesicles.     

Purification and characterization of intracellular and extracellular α‐glucosidases from Geobacillus toebii strain E134

Two different α‐glucosidase‐producing thermophilic E134 strains were isolated from a hot spring in Kozakli, Turkey. Based on the phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic evidence, the strain was proposed to be a species of G. toebii. Its thermostable exo‐α‐1,4‐glucosidases also were characterized and compared, which were purified from the intracellular and extracellular fractions with estimated molecular weights of 65 and 45 kDa. The intracellular and extracellular α‐glucosidases showed optimal activity at 65 °C, pH 7·0, and at 70 °C, pH 6·8, with 3·65 and 0·83 K_m values for the pNPG substrate, respectively. Both enzymes remained active over temperature and pH ranges of 35–70 °C and 4·5–11·0. They retained 82 and 84% of their activities when incubated at 60 °C for 5 h. Their relative activities were 45–75% and 45–60% at pH 4·5 and 11·0 values for 15 h at 35 °C. They could hydrolyse the α‐1,3 and α‐1,4 bonds on substrates in addition to a high transglycosylation activity, although the intracellular enzyme had more affinity to the substrates both in hydrolysis and transglycosylation reactions. Furthermore, although sodium dodecyl sulfate behaved as an activator for both of them at 60 °C, urea and ethanol only increased the activity of the extracellular α‐glucosidase. By this study, G. toebii E134 strain was introduced, which might have a potential in biotechnological processes when the conformational stability of its enzymes to heat, pH and denaturants were considered. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analysis of simian virus 40 wild-type and mutant virions by agarose gel electrophoresis.

Intact wild-type simian virus 40 particles can be separated and resolved from a temperature-sensitive mutant and from a number of other viruses by agarose gel electrophoresis. The relative mobilities of the viruses appear to be a function of both virion size and surface composition. The virions of a temperature-sensitive strain of simian virus 40, tsB204, have significantly greater mobility than those of wild-type simian virus 40, when electrophoresis was conducted toward the cathode at pH 5.0. When electrophoresis was performed toward the anode at pH 7.0, TSB204 viruses have a slightly slower mobility as compared with that of the wild type. The data indicated that the virions of tsB204 have a greater positive charge at their surface than those of wild-type particles. No differences were detected in the finger print patterns of the tryptic peptides of VP1 and VP3 of these two virus strains. Although it was not possible to identify the structural polypeptide directly affected by the tsB204 mutation, we have shown that this mutation affects charge distribution on the surface of the virion.     

Assessment of the stability of human viruses and coliphage in groundwater by PCR and infectivity methods

Aim: To investigate the potential health hazard from infectious viruses where coliphages, or viruses by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), have been detected in groundwater. Two aspects were investigated: the relationship between infectivity and detection by PCR and the stability of coliphage compared to human viruses. Methods and Results: Virus decay (1 year) and detection (2 years) studies were undertaken on groundwater at 12°C. The order of virus stability from most to least stable in groundwater, based on first‐order inactivation, was: coliphage ΦX174 (0·5 d^?1) > adenovirus 2 > coliphage PRD1 > poliovirus 3 > coxsackie virus B1 (0·13 d^?1). The order for PCR results was: norovirus genotype II > adenovirus > norovirus genotype I > enterovirus. Conclusions: Enterovirus and adenovirus detection by PCR and the duration of infectivity in groundwater followed similar trends over the time period studied. Adenovirus might be a better method for assessing groundwater contamination than using enterovirus; norovirus detection would provide information on a significant human health hazard. Bacteriophage is a good alternative indicator. Significance and Impact of the Study: PCR is a useful tool for identifying the health hazard from faecal contamination in groundwater where conditions are conducive to the survival of viruses and their nucleic acid.     

Identification and antibacterial characteristics of an endophytic fungus Fusarium oxysporum from Lilium lancifolium

Aims: The aim of this study is to isolate and identify an endophytic fungus with antibacterial activity from the Asian medicinal and culinary plant Lilium lancifolium and to study the characteristics of its major antibacterial fractions. Methods and Results: After strict sample sterilization, an endophytic fungus BH‐3 with great antibacterial activity against Leuconostoc mesenteroides was isolated from the bulbs of L. lancifolium and was identified as Fusarium oxysporum on the basis of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA sequence and morphological traits. After partial purification including superfiltration and gel filtration, the major antibacterial fractions were found to be the substances with the molecular mass ranging from 35 to 60 kDa, mainly 55 kDa. The partially purified antibacterial fractions were stable at thermal processes, with more than 80% of activity left at 60°C for 1 h, and even 70·75% left at 121°C for 15 min. 90·33–98·97% of activity was observed in the pH range of 4·0–7·0. But the fractions were sensitive to different proteases. Conclusions: Endophytic strain F. oxysporum BH‐3 isolated from the bulbs of L. lancifolium produced protein‐like antibacterial metabolites. The antibacterial assay against Leuc. mesenteroides indicated that the fractions were stable at thermal processes and wide pH conditions, but sensitive to proteolyses. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study provides an increasing understanding of endophytic F. oxysporum in L. lancifolium and its metabolites, which have a great potential in food industry as antibacterial agents.     

A simple and novel method for recovering adenovirus 41 in small volumes of source water

Aim: A new procedure was developed to recover adenovirus 41 in small volumes (1 l) of water samples based on adsorption, elution and evaporation. Methods and Results: One litre of source water seeded with adenovirus 41 was adjusted to pH 3·5 and filtered using a large pore size (8·0 μm) negatively charged membrane filter (SCWP, 47 mm diameter, made of mixed‐cellulose esters). Then, the filter was eluted using 4 ml of 1·5% beef extract plus 0·75% glycerol (pH 9·0). The eluate was reconcentrated to 0·1 ml or less volumes through evaporation assisted with air flow and heating at 55°C. Recovery of adenovirus 41 reached 55% under tested conditions and reduced filtration time by 85% in contrast to the widely used small pore size filter (0·45 μm pore size, 47 mm diameter). Reconcentration by evaporation achieved approx. 86·8% recovery from source water in approx. 1 h at no cost. Conclusion: The virus concentration method developed in this study is simple and cost‐effective and can be used to efficiently recover adenovirus 41 from turbid water samples. Significance and Impact of the Study: The procedure developed can be applied to detect adenovirus 41 in source water within hours of sampling. In addition, this is the first application of evaporation to concentrate viruses in water samples.     

Influence of Dissolved Organic Matter on Sorption and Desorption of 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene and 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene onto Wood Char

Sorption and desorption of 1, 2, 3-trichlorobenzene (TCB) and 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene (TeCB) onto wood char prepared from maple wood shavings heated at 500°C were studied in the presence of dissolved organic matter (DOM), including humic acid (HA), L-malic acid (L-MA), and peptone. Compared to TCB, TeCB exhibited more nonlinear and stronger sorption onto wood char. Nonlinearity of the sorption isotherms increased in the presence of DOM. The presence of HA enhanced the sorption capacity and desorption hysteresis of TCB and TeCB on wood char mainly due to the strong sorption of HA on wood char surface. Moreover, there were positive relations between K_d values of TCB and TeCB and the HA concentration (p < 0.01). In contrast, peptone reduced the sorption capacity and increased the sorption reversibility because of the partition of TCB and TeCB in peptone solution. L-MA at 50-200 mg·L^?1 also leads to a decrease in sorption capacity and irreversibility attributed to solubilization, although the sorbed L-MA on the wood char surface can slightly increase TCB and TeCB sorption. At the same concentration, peptone leads to a higher decrease in TCB sorption than L-MA. Also, negative correlations were found between K_d values of TCB and TeCB and the L-MA and peptone concentration (p < 0.01). Our results may help to understand the different impacts of DOM on the transport and fate of halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons in aquatic environments polluted with chars.     

Quantitative analysis of cellular proteome alterations in human influenza A virus‐infected mammalian cell lines

Over the last years virus–host cell interactions were investigated in numerous studies. Viral strategies for evasion of innate immune response, inhibition of cellular protein synthesis and permission of viral RNA and protein production were disclosed. With quantitative proteome technology, comprehensive studies concerning the impact of viruses on the cellular machinery of their host cells at protein level are possible. Therefore, 2‐D DIGE and nanoHPLC‐nanoESI‐MS/MS analysis were used to qualitatively and quantitatively determine the dynamic cellular proteome responses of two mammalian cell lines to human influenza A virus infection. A cell line used for vaccine production (MDCK) was compared with a human lung carcinoma cell line (A549) as a reference model. Analyzing 2‐D gels of the proteomes of uninfected and influenza‐infected host cells, 16 quantitatively altered protein spots (at least ±1.7‐fold change in relative abundance, p<0.001) were identified for both cell lines. Most significant changes were found for keratins, major components of the cytoskeleton system, and for Mx proteins, interferon‐induced key components of the host cell defense. Time series analysis of infection processes allowed the identification of further proteins that are described to be involved in protein synthesis, signal transduction and apoptosis events. Most likely, these proteins are required for supporting functions during influenza viral life cycle or host cell stress response. Quantitative proteome‐wide profiling of virus infection can provide insights into complexity and dynamics of virus–host cell interactions and may accelerate antiviral research and support optimization of vaccine manufacturing processes.     

Physical training prevents oxidative stress in L‐NAME‐induced hypertension rats

The present study investigated the effects of a 6‐week swimming training on blood pressure, nitric oxide (NO) levels and oxidative stress parameters such as protein and lipid oxidation, antioxidant enzyme activity and endogenous non‐enzymatic antioxidant content in kidney and circulating fluids, as well as on serum biochemical parameters (cholesterol, triglycerides, urea and creatinine) from Nω‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L‐NAME)‐induced hypertension treated rats. Animals were divided into four groups (n = 10): Control, Exercise, L‐NAME and Exercise L‐NAME. Results showed that exercise prevented a decrease in NO levels in hypertensive rats (P < 0·05). An increase in protein and lipid oxidation observed in the L‐NAME‐treated group was reverted by physical training in serum from the Exercise L‐NAME group (P < 0·05). A decrease in the catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in the L‐NAME group was observed when compared with normotensive groups (P < 0·05). In kidney, exercise significantly augmented the CAT and SOD activities in the Exercise L‐NAME group when compared with the L‐NAME group (P < 0·05). There was a decrease in the non‐protein thiols (NPSH) levels in the L‐NAME‐treated group when compared with the normotensive groups (P < 0·05). In the Exercise L‐NAME group, there was an increase in NPSH levels when compared with the L‐NAME group (P < 0·05). The elevation in serum cholesterol, triglycerides, urea and creatinine levels observed in the L‐NAME group were reverted to levels close to normal by exercise in the Exercise L‐NAME group (P < 0·05). Exercise training had hypotensive effect, reducing blood pressure in the Exercise L‐NAME group (P < 0·05). These findings suggest that physical training could have a protector effect against oxidative damage and renal injury caused by hypertension. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effective tolerance based on resource reallocation is a virus‐specific defence in Arabidopsis thaliana

Plant viruses often harm their hosts, which have developed mechanisms to prevent or minimize the effects of virus infection. Resistance and tolerance are the two main plant defences to pathogens. Although resistance to plant viruses has been studied extensively, tolerance has received much less attention. Theory predicts that tolerance to low‐virulent parasites would be achieved through resource reallocation from growth to reproduction, whereas tolerance to high‐virulent parasites would be attained through shortening of the pre‐reproductive period. We have shown previously that the tolerance of Arabidopsis thaliana to Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), a relatively low‐virulent virus in this host, accords to these predictions. However, whether other viruses trigger the same response, and how A. thaliana copes with highly virulent virus infections remains unexplored. To address these questions, we challenged six A. thaliana wild genotypes with five viruses with different genomic structures, life histories and transmission modes. In these plants, we quantified virus multiplication, virulence, and the effects of infection on plant growth and reproduction, and on the developmental schedule. Our results indicate that virus multiplication varies according to the virus × host genotype interaction. Conversely, effective tolerance is observed only on CMV infection, and is associated with resource reallocation from growth to reproduction. Tolerance to the other viruses is observed only in specific host–virus combinations and, at odds with theoretical predictions, is linked to longer pre‐reproductive periods. These findings only partially agree with theoretical predictions, and contribute to a better understanding of pathogenic processes in plant–virus interactions.