Abstract
We recently generated a fully synthetic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus strain (designated as PRRSV-CON), which confers unprecedented levels of heterologous protection. We report herein that the synthetic PRRSV-CON possesses a unique phenotype in that it induces type-I interferons (IFNs) instead of suppressing these cytokines as most of the naturally occurring PRRSV isolates do. Through gain- and loss- of-function studies, the IFN-inducing phenotype of PRRSV-CON was mapped to the 3.3 kb genomic fragment encoding three viral nonstructural proteins: nsp1α, nsp1β and the N-terminal part of nsp2. Further studies indicated that a cooperation among these 3 proteins was required for effective induction of IFNs. Collectively, this study constitutes the first step toward understanding the mechanisms by which the synthetic PRRSV-CON confers heterologous protection.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 313-321 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Virology |
Volume | 499 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 1 2016 |
Keywords
- Innate immunity
- PRRSV
- Reverse genetics
- Synthetic virus
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Virology