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Ji SR, Byun HR, Rieu MS, Han SW, Nam HY, Seo S, Park SY, Kang HY, Choi CY, Cho SY, Hwang BY, Chae JS. First detection of Bandavirus dabieense in ticks collected from migratory birds in the Republic of Korea. Acta Trop 2024; 257:107279. [PMID: 38871069 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
The causative agent of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is Bandavirus dabieense, an emerging tick-borne zoonotic pathogen. Migratory birds have often been suggested as potential carriers of ticks that can transmit Bandavirus dabieense; however, their role remains unclear. The Republic of Korea (ROK) holds an important position as a stopover on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. The present study aimed to investigate the potential involvement of migratory birds in the transmission of the SFTS virus (SFTSV) in the ROK. A total of 4,497 ticks were collected across various regions, including Heuksando and Daecheongdo, in the ROK, from bird migration seasons in 2022 and 2023. Genetic analysis of the SFTSV was performed for 96 ticks collected from 20 different species of migratory birds. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fragments of SFTSV were detected in one Haemaphysalis concinna nymph collected from a Black-faced Bunting (Emberiza spodocephala) and one Ixodes turdus nymph collected from an Olive-backed Pipit (Anthus hodgsoni) on Daecheongdo and Heuksando, respectively, during their northward migration in two spring seasons. This finding suggests that migratory birds can be considered as possible carriers and long-distance dispersers of ticks and associated tick-borne diseases. This study highlights the importance of clarifying the role and impact of migratory birds in the rapid expansion of tick-borne diseases, facilitating enhanced preparedness and the development of mitigation measures against emerging SFTS across and beyond East Asia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong-Ryeong Ji
- Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, BK21 FOUR Future Veterinary Medicine Leading Education and Research Center, Research Institute for Veterinary Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro 1, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye-Ryung Byun
- Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, BK21 FOUR Future Veterinary Medicine Leading Education and Research Center, Research Institute for Veterinary Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro 1, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi-Sun Rieu
- Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, BK21 FOUR Future Veterinary Medicine Leading Education and Research Center, Research Institute for Veterinary Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro 1, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun-Woo Han
- Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, BK21 FOUR Future Veterinary Medicine Leading Education and Research Center, Research Institute for Veterinary Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro 1, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Young Nam
- The Research Institute of Basic Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Seulgi Seo
- Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Se-Young Park
- Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Bioresources, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwa-Yeon Kang
- Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Bioresources, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Yong Choi
- Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Bioresources, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - So-Yeon Cho
- Bird Research Center, Korea National Park Research Institute, Shinan County, Jeonnam 58863, Republic of Korea
| | - Bo-Yeon Hwang
- Bird Research Center, Korea National Park Research Institute, Shinan County, Jeonnam 58863, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon-Seok Chae
- Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, BK21 FOUR Future Veterinary Medicine Leading Education and Research Center, Research Institute for Veterinary Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro 1, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
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2
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Rim JM, Han SW, Cho YK, Kang JG, Choi KS, Chae JS. Serologic and Molecular Prevalence of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus Among Poultry in the Republic of Korea. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2023; 23:662-669. [PMID: 37788402 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2023.0028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease caused by Dabie bandavirus, which belongs to the genus Bandavirus, family Phenuiviridae, and order Bunyavirales. It has been found in tick species, various animals, and humans. The aim of this study was to detect RNA of antigens and antibodies against SFTS virus (SFTSV) among poultry such as chickens, ducks, and wild geese from five provinces in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Materials and Methods: A one-step reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR and nested PCR were performed after viral RNA extraction. The phylogenetic tree was constructed after sequencing data were analyzed and aligned. An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a neutralization test (NT) were performed to test for IgG antibodies of SFTSV. Results: Of a total of 606 poultry serum samples collected, 568 and 539 serum samples were used to perform ELISA and NT, respectively. Of a total of 606 serum samples tested by RT-PCR targeting the S segment, 15 (2.5%) were positive for SFTSV. From the 15 positive serum samples for the SFTSV antigen, three from chickens, three from ducks, and one from wild geese were classified as genotype B-2; one from chickens was classified as genotype B-3; and three from chickens and four from wild geese were classified as genotype D. Of the 568 serum samples tested by ELISA, 83 (28.0%) from chickens, 81 (32.9%) from ducks, and 8 (30.8%) from wild geese were seropositive. Of the 539 serum samples for which an NT was performed, 113 (38.6%) from chickens and 75 (30.5%) from ducks were positive for SFTSV antibodies. Conclusions: The results of this study provide useful information regarding detection of SFTSV RNA and antibodies among poultry and the possibility of SFTSV transmission in various types of poultry, including chickens, ducks, and wild geese, in the ROK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Min Rim
- Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, BK21 FOUR Future Veterinary Medicine Leading Education and Research Centre, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun-Woo Han
- Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, BK21 FOUR Future Veterinary Medicine Leading Education and Research Centre, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon-Kyoung Cho
- Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, BK21 FOUR Future Veterinary Medicine Leading Education and Research Centre, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Gu Kang
- Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung-Seong Choi
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, College of Ecology and Environmental Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon-Seok Chae
- Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, BK21 FOUR Future Veterinary Medicine Leading Education and Research Centre, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Zhang X, Zhao C, Si X, Hu Q, Zheng A. Natural circulation of tick-borne severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus in the city ecosystem, China. Virol Sin 2023; 38:832-835. [PMID: 37634660 PMCID: PMC10590691 DOI: 10.1016/j.virs.2023.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
•Hedgehogs and Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks can maintain the natural circulation of SFTSV in the city ecosystem. •Hedgehogs and H. longicornis ticks are becoming common in Beijing. •Parthenogenetic H. longicornis ticks are discovered in Beijing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Chaoyue Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiaoxi Si
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, 453007, China
| | - Qiang Hu
- College of Life Science, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China
| | - Aihua Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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Zhang L, Peng X, Wang Q, Li J, Lv S, Han S, Zhang L, Ding H, Wang CY, Xiao G, Du X, Peng K, Li H, Liu W. CCR2 is a host entry receptor for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg6856. [PMID: 37531422 PMCID: PMC10396298 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg6856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is an emerging tick-borne bunyavirus causing a high fatality rate of up to 30%. To date, the receptor mediating SFTSV entry remained uncharacterized, hindering the understanding of disease pathogenesis. Here, C-C motif chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) was identified as a host receptor for SFTSV based on a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screen. Knockout of CCR2 substantially reduced viral binding and infection. CCR2 enhanced SFTSV binding through direct binding to SFTSV glycoprotein N (Gn), which is mediated by its N-terminal extracellular domain. Depletion of CCR2 in C57BL/6J mouse model attenuated SFTSV replication and pathogenesis. The peripheral blood primary monocytes from elderly individuals or subjects with underlying diabetes mellitus showed higher CCR2 surface expression and supported stronger binding and replication of SFTSV. Together, these data indicate that CCR2 is a host entry receptor for SFTSV infection and a novel target for developing anti-SFTSV therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leike Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
- Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Wuhan, Hubei 430200, China
| | - Xuefang Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Qingxing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
| | - Jin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shouming Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Shuo Han
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Lingyu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Heng Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Cong-Yi Wang
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430040, China
| | - Gengfu Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
| | - Xuguang Du
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Ke Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
| | - Hao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
| | - Wei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
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Liu B, Zhu J, He T, Zhang Z. Genetic variants of Dabie bandavirus: classification and biological/clinical implications. Virol J 2023; 20:68. [PMID: 37060090 PMCID: PMC10103499 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-023-02033-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease caused by Dabie bandavirus (DBV), a novel Bandavirus in the family Phenuiviridae. The first case of SFTS was reported in China, followed by cases in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam. With clinical manifestations including fever, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and gastrointestinal symptoms, SFTS has a fatality rate of approximately 10%. In recent years, an increasing number of viral strains have been isolated and sequenced, and several research groups have attempted to classify the different genotypes of DBV. Additionally, accumulating evidence indicates certain correlations between the genetic makeup and biological/clinical manifestations of the virus. Here, we attempted to evaluate the genetic classification of different groups, align the genotypic nomenclature in different studies, summarize the distribution of different genotypes, and review the biological and clinical implications of DBV genetic variations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingyan Liu
- Institute of Clinical Virology, Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Furong Road 678, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Jie Zhu
- Institute of Clinical Virology, Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Furong Road 678, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Tengfei He
- Institute of Clinical Virology, Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Furong Road 678, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Zhenhua Zhang
- Institute of Clinical Virology, Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Furong Road 678, Hefei, 230601, China.
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Liang S, Li Z, Zhang N, Wang X, Qin Y, Xie W, Bao C, Hu J. Epidemiological and spatiotemporal analysis of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome in Eastern China, 2011-2021. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:508. [PMID: 36927782 PMCID: PMC10019416 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15379-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease, which is caused by severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) with high fatality. Recently, the incidence of SFTS increased obviously in Jiangsu Province. However, the systematic and complete analysis of spatiotemporal patterns and clusters coupled with epidemiological characteristics of SFTS have not been reported so far. METHODS Data on SFTS cases were collected during 2011-2021. The changing epidemiological characteristics of SFTS were analyzed by adopting descriptive statistical methods. GeoDa 1.18 was applied for spatial autocorrelation analysis, and SaTScan 10.0 was used to identify spatio-temporal clustering of cases. The results were visualized in ArcMap. RESULTS The annual incidence of SFTS increased in Jiangsu Province from 2011 to 2021. Most cases (72.4%) occurred during May and August with the obvious peak months. Elderly farmers accounted for most cases, among which both males and females were susceptible. The spatial autocorrelation and spatio-temporal clustering analysis indicated that the distribution of SFTS was not random but clustered in space and time. The most likely cluster was observed in the western region of Jiangsu Province and covered one county (Xuyi county) (Relative risk = 8.18, Log likelihood ratio = 122.645, P < 0.001) located in southwestern Jiangsu Province from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2021. The Secondary cluster also covered one county (Lishui county) (Relative risk = 7.70, Log likelihood ratio = 94.938, P < 0.001) from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2021. CONCLUSIONS The annual number of SFTS cases showed an increasing tendency in Jiangsu Province from 2011 to 2021. Our study elucidated regions with SFTS clusters by means of ArcGIS in combination with spatial analysis. The results demonstrated solid evidences for the orientation of limited sanitary resources, surveillance in high-risk regions and early warning of epidemic seasons in future prevention and control of SFTS in Jiangsu Province.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyi Liang
- Acute Infectious disease control and prevention institute, Jiangsu Provincial center for disease control and prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhifeng Li
- Acute Infectious disease control and prevention institute, Jiangsu Provincial center for disease control and prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Acute Infectious disease control and prevention institute, Jiangsu Provincial center for disease control and prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaochen Wang
- Acute Infectious disease control and prevention institute, Jiangsu Provincial center for disease control and prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuanfang Qin
- Acute Infectious disease control and prevention institute, Jiangsu Provincial center for disease control and prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Xie
- Institute of Food Safety and Assessment, Jiangsu Provincial center for disease control and prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Changjun Bao
- Acute Infectious disease control and prevention institute, Jiangsu Provincial center for disease control and prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianli Hu
- Acute Infectious disease control and prevention institute, Jiangsu Provincial center for disease control and prevention, Nanjing, China.
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Zhao C, Zhang X, Si X, Ye L, Lawrence K, Lu Y, Du C, Xu H, Yang Q, Xia Q, Yu G, Xu W, Yuan F, Hao J, Jiang JF, Zheng A. Hedgehogs as Amplifying Hosts of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus, China. Emerg Infect Dis 2022; 28:2491-2499. [PMID: 36417938 PMCID: PMC9707592 DOI: 10.3201/eid2812.220668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is a tickborne bandavirus mainly transmitted by Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks in East Asia, mostly in rural areas. As of April 2022, the amplifying host involved in the natural transmission of SFTSV remained unidentified. Our epidemiologic field survey conducted in endemic areas in China showed that hedgehogs were widely distributed, had heavy tick infestations, and had high SFTSV seroprevalence and RNA prevalence. After experimental infection of Erinaceus amurensis and Atelerix albiventris hedgehogs with SFTSV, we detected robust but transitory viremias that lasted for 9-11 days. We completed the SFTSV transmission cycle between hedgehogs and nymph and adult H. longicornis ticks under laboratory conditions with 100% efficiency. Furthermore, naive H. longicornis ticks could be infected by SFTSV-positive ticks co-feeding on naive hedgehogs; we confirmed transstadial transmission of SFTSV. Our study suggests that the hedgehogs are a notable wildlife amplifying host of SFTSV in China.
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Nonstructural Protein NSs Activates Inflammasome and Pyroptosis through Interaction with NLRP3 in Human Microglial Cells Infected with Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Bandavirus. J Virol 2022; 96:e0016722. [PMID: 35695505 PMCID: PMC9278151 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00167-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a tick-borne febrile disease caused by SFTS virus (SFTSV), or Dabie bandavirus, in the Phenuiviridae family. Clinically neurological disorders in SFTS have been commonly reported, but their neuropathogenesis has rarely been studied. Microglia are a type of neuroglia accounting for 10 to 12% of all cells in the brain. As resident immune cells, microglial cells are the first line of immune defense present in the central nervous system (CNS). Here, we report that SFTSV was able to infect microglial cells and stimulate interleukin 1β (IL-1β) secretion in the brains of infected neonatal BALB/c mice. We characterized the cell death induced in infected human microglial HMC3 cells, also susceptible to SFTSV, and found that the NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome was activated, leading to secretion of IL-1β and pyroptosis. Knockdown of NLRP3 or inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome activation suppressed the viral replication, suggesting that the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome may support SFTSV replication in microglial cells. Viral nonstructural protein NSs, a known modulator of immune responses, interacted and colocalized with NLRP3 for the inflammasome activation. It appeared that the N-terminal fragment, amino acids 1 to 66, of NSs was critical to promote the assembly of the inflammasome complex by interacting with NLRP3 for its activation in microglial cells. Our findings provide evidence that SFTSV may cause neurological disorders through infecting microglia and activating the inflammasome through its nonstructural protein NSs for neural cell death and inflammation. This study may have revealed a novel mechanism of SFTSV NSs in dysregulating host response. IMPORTANCE Encephalitis or encephalopathy during severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is considered a critical risk factor leading to high mortality, but there have been no studies to date on the pathogenesis of encephalitis or encephalopathy caused by SFTS virus. Here, we report that SFTSV infection can active the NLRP3 inflammasome and induce IL-1β secretion in the brains of infected newborn mice. In infected human HMC3 microglia, SFTSV activated the NLRP3 inflammasome via the viral nonstructural protein NSs through interaction with its N-terminal fragment. Notably, our findings suggest that the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome may promote SFTSV replication in infected microglial cells. This study may reveal a novel mechanism by SFTSV to dysregulate host responses through its nonstructural protein, which could help us understand viral neuropathogenesis in SFTS patients.
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