Human noroviruses (HuNoVs) cause sporadic and epidemic outbreaks of
gastroenteritis in all age groups worldwide. We previously reported that stem cell-derived human intestinal enteroid (HIE) cultures support replication of multiple HuNoV strains and that some strains (e.g., GII.3) replicate only in the presence of bile. Heat- and
trypsin-treatment of bile did not reduce GII.3 replication, indicating a nonproteinaceous component in bile functions as an active factor. Here we show that
bile acids (BAs) are critical for GII.3 replication and replication correlates with BA hydrophobicity. Using the highly effective BA,
glycochenodeoxycholic acid (GCDCA), we show BAs act during the early stage of
infection, BA-dependent replication in HIEs is not mediated by
detergent effects or classic farnesoid X receptor or Takeda
G protein-coupled receptor 5 signaling but involves another
G protein-coupled receptor,
sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2, and BA treatment of HIEs increases particle uptake. We also demonstrate that GCDCA induces multiple cellular responses that promote GII.3 replication in HIEs, including enhancement of 1) endosomal uptake, 2) endosomal acidification and subsequent activity of endosomal/lysosomal
enzyme acid sphingomyelinase (ASM), and 3)
ceramide levels on the apical membrane. Inhibitors of endosomal acidification or ASM reduce GII.3
infection and exogenous addition of
ceramide alone permits
infection. Furthermore, inhibition of lysosomal exocytosis of ASM, which is required for
ceramide production at the apical surface, decreases GII.3
infection. Together, our results support a model where GII.3 exploits rapid BA-mediated cellular endolysosomal dynamic changes and cellular
ceramide to enter and replicate in jejunal HIEs.