Mechanisms of foot-and-mouth disease virus tropism inferred from differential tissue gene expression

Inferred Causal Mechanisms of Persistent FMDV Infection in Cattle from Differential Gene Expression in the Nasopharyngeal Mucosa

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) can persistently infect pharyngeal epithelia in ruminants but not in pigs. Our previous studies demonstrated that persistent FMDV infection in cattle was associated with under-expression of several chemokines that recruit immune cells. This report focuses on the analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEG) identified during the transitional phase of infection, defined as the period when animals diverge between becoming carriers or terminators. During this phase, Th17-stimulating cytokines (IL6 and IL23A) and Th17-recruiting chemokines (CCL14 and CCL20) were upregulated in animals that were still infected (transitional carriers) compared to those that had recently cleared infection (terminators), whereas chemokines recruiting neutrophils and CD8+ T effector cells (CCL3 and ELR+CXCLs) were downregulated. Upregulated Th17-specific receptor, CCR6, and Th17-associated genes, CD146, MIR155, and ThPOK, suggested increased Th17 cell activity in transitional carriers. However, a complex interplay of the Th17 regulatory axis was indicated by non-significant upregulation of IL17A and downregulation of IL17F, two hallmarks of TH17 activity. Other DEG suggested that transitional carriers had upregulated aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), non-canonical NFκB signaling, and downregulated canonical NFκB signaling. The results described herein provide novel insights into the mechanisms of establishment of FMDV persistence. Additionally, the fact that ruminants, unlike pigs, produce a large amount of AHR ligands suggests a plausible explanation of why FMDV persists in ruminants, but not in pigs.

Component Identification and Analysis of Vesicular Fluid From Swine Infected by Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is induced by FMD virus (FMDV) and characterized by fever and vesicular (blister-like) lesions. However, the exact composition of the vesicular fluid in pigs infected with FMDV remains unclear. To identify and analyze the components of the vesicular fluid in FMDV-infected domestic pigs, the fluid was collected and subjected to mass spectrometry. Further analyses were conducted using Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG), and protein–protein interaction (PPI). Quantitative ELISA kit for TNF-α, and IFN-α, IFN-β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1β, and IFN-γ were used to verify the mass spectrometry results. Results showed that 937 proteins were identified in the vesicular fluid from swine after FMDV infection, and bioinformatics analysis indicated that these proteins are related to the innate immune and inflammation pathways. The levels of cytokines involved in the disease-related pathways, tumor necrosis factors, and IL-6 in the fluid samples were significantly increased. This study identified and analyzed the composition of vesicular fluid in pigs after FMD infection for the first time and provided interesting information that help understand the infection and pathogenesis mechanism of FMD. These information will eventually contribute to the prevention and control of FMD.

FMDV Leader Protein Interacts with the NACHT and LRR Domains of NLRP3 to Promote IL-1β Production

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) infection causes inflammatory clinical symptoms, such as high fever and vesicular lesions, even death of animals. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is an inflammatory cytokine that plays an essential role in inflammatory responses against viral infection. The viruses have developed multiple strategies to induce the inflammatory responses, including regulation of IL-1β production. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the induction of IL-1β by FMDV remains not fully understood. Here, we found that FMDV robustly induced IL-1β production in macrophages and pigs. Infection of Casp-1 inhibitor-treated cells and NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3)-knockdown cells indicated that NLRP3 is essential for FMDV-induced IL-1β secretion. More importantly, we found that FMDV Lpro associates with the NACHT and LRR domains of NLRP3 to promote NLRP3 inflammasome assembly and IL-1β secretion. Moreover, FMDV Lpro induces calcium influx and potassium efflux, which trigger NLRP3 activation. Our data revealed the mechanism underlying the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome after FMDV Lpro expression, thus providing insights for the control of FMDV infection-induced inflammation.

A Comprehensive Review of the Immunological Response against Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Infection and Its Evasion Mechanisms

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease, which has been reported for over 100 years, and against which the struggle has lasted for the same amount of time. It affects individuals from the order Artiodactyla, such as cattle, swine, sheep, wild animals from this order, and a few non-cloven hoofed species, such as mice and elephants. FMD causes large-scale economic losses for agricultural production systems; morbidity is almost 100% in an affected population, accompanied by a high mortality rate in young animals due to myocarditis or an inability to suckle if a mother is ill. The aetiological agent is an Aphthovirus from the family Picornaviridae, having seven serotypes: A, O, C, SAT1, SAT2, SAT3, and Asia 1. Serotype variability means that an immune response is serospecific and vaccines are thus designed to protect against each serotype independently. A host’s adaptive immune response is key in defence against pathogens; however, this virus uses successful strategies (along with most microorganisms) enabling it to evade a host’s immune system to rapidly and efficiently establish itself within such host, and thus remain there. This review has been aimed at an in-depth analysis of the immune response in cattle and swine regarding FMD virus, the possible evasion mechanisms used by the virus and describing some immunological differences regarding these species. Such aspects can provide pertinent knowledge for developing new FMD control and prevention strategies.

Mechanisms of Maintenance of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Persistence Inferred From Genes Differentially Expressed in Nasopharyngeal Epithelia of Virus Carriers and Non-carriers

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) causes persistent infection of nasopharyngeal epithelial cells in ~50% of infected ruminants. The mechanisms involved are not clear. This study provides a continued investigation of differentially expressed genes (DEG) identified in a previously published transcriptomic study analyzing micro-dissected epithelial samples from FMDV carriers and non-carriers. Pathway analysis of DEG indicated that immune cell trafficking, cell death and hematological system could be affected by the differential gene expression. Further examination of the DEG identified five downregulated (chemerin, CCL23, CXCL15, CXCL16, and CXCL17) and one upregulated (CCL2) chemokines in carriers compared to non-carriers. The differential expression could reduce the recruitment of neutrophils, antigen-experienced T cells and dendritic cells and increase the migration of macrophages and NK cells to the epithelia in carriers, which was supported by DEG expressed in these immune cells. Downregulated chemokine expression could be mainly due to the inhibition of canonical NFκB signaling based on DEG in the signaling pathways and transcription factor binding sites predicted from the proximal promoters. Additionally, upregulated CD69, IL33, and NID1 and downregulated CASP3, IL17RA, NCR3LG1, TP53BP1, TRAF3, and TRAF6 in carriers could inhibit the Th17 response, NK cell cytotoxicity and apoptosis. Based on our findings, we hypothesize that (1) under-expression of chemokines that recruit neutrophils, antigen-experienced T cells and dendritic cells, (2) blocking NK cell binding to target cells and (3) suppression of apoptosis induced by death receptor signaling, viral RNA, and cell-mediated cytotoxicity in the epithelia compromised virus clearance and allowed FMDV to persist. These hypothesized mechanisms provide novel information for further investigation of persistent FMDV infection.

A novel bovine CXCL15 gene in the GRO chemokine gene cluster

In our previous transcriptomic studies using DNA microarray analysis, a probe designed from an unknown expressed sequence tag (EST) showed significant differential gene expression in the pharyngeal epithelia. The objectives of this study are to annotate the gene sequence and compare the gene transcription levels among different bovine tissues based on our published microarray data. The gene transcribing the EST contains a 90-amino-acid protein sequence. The results of bioinformatic analyses using comparative genetics, multiple sequence alignments, phylogenetic analysis and promoter sequence analysis indicated that this gene is a novel ELR+ CXCL gene orthologous to mouse CXCL15. The gene is highly conserved in ruminants and exists in many other mammals but not in chickens, primates or pigs. Phylogenetic analysis and gene structures showed that CXCL15 is closer to CXCL8 than to other ELR+ CXCLs. Our microarray data show that bovine CXCL15 expression was higher in laser capture micro-dissected bovine pharyngeal epithelia than in the whole pharyngeal tissues, which agrees with the expression in mice. However, unlike the high expression in the mouse lung, our results showed that the bovine nasal turbinate, dorsal nasopharynx, dorsal soft palate and tongue expressed higher levels of CXCL15 than the lung and skins. Promoter analysis showed that ruminants have more immune-related transcription factor binding sites in the proximal promoters of CXCL15 than mouse. CXCL15 has previously only been reported in mice and has neutrophil chemotactic activity. Given the critical roles of neutrophils in innate immunity, this study provides useful information for further characterization of bovine CXCL15.

Model of persistent foot-and-mouth disease virus infection in multilayered cells derived from bovine dorsal soft palate

Foot‐and‐mouth disease virus (FMDV) causes a highly contagious vesicular disease in livestock, with serious consequences for international trade. The virus persists in the nasopharynx of cattle and this slows down the process to obtain an FMDV‐free status after an outbreak. To study biological mechanisms, or to identify molecules that can be targeted to diagnose or interfere with persistence, we developed a model of persistent FMDV infection in bovine dorsal soft palate (DSP). Primary DSP cells were isolated after commercial slaughter and were cultured in multilayers at the air‐liquid interface. After 5 weeks of culture without further passage, the cells were infected with FMDV strain O/FRA/1/2001. Approximately, 20% of cells still had a polygonal morphology and displayed tight junctions as in stratified squamous epithelia. Subsets of cells expressed cytokeratin and most or all cells expressed vimentin. In contrast to monolayers in medium, multilayers in air demonstrated only a limited cytopathic effect. Integrin α_Vβ₆ expression was observed in mono‐ but not in multilayers. FMDV antigen, FMDV RNA and live virus were detected from day 1 to 28, with peaks at day 1 and 2. The proportion of infected cells was highest at 24 hr (3% and 36% of cells at an MOI of 0.01 and 1, respectively). At day 28 after infection, at a time when animals that still harbour FMDV are considered carriers, FMDV antigen was detected in 0.2%–2.1% of cells, in all layers, and live virus was isolated from supernatants of 6/8 cultures. On the consensus level, the viral genome did not change within the first 24 hr after infection. Only a few minor single nucleotide variants were detected, giving no indication of the presence of a viral quasispecies. The air‐liquid interface model of DSP brings new possibilities to investigate FMDV persistence in a controlled manner.

Integrin αvβ6: Structure, function and role in health and disease

Integrins are cell surface receptors that traditionally mediate cell-to-extracellular matrix and cell-to-cell adhesion. They can, however, also bind a large repertoire of other molecules. Integrin αvβ6 is exclusively expressed in epithelial cells where it can, for example, serve as a fibronectin receptor. However, its hallmark function is to activate transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) to modulate innate immune surveillance in lungs and skin and along the gastrointestinal tract, and to maintain epithelial stem cell quiescence. The loss of αvβ6 integrin function in mice and humans leads to an altered immune response in lungs and skin, amelogenesis imperfecta, periodontal disease and, in some cases, alopecia. Elevated αvβ6 integrin expression and aberrant TGF-β1 activation and function are associated with organ fibrosis and cancer. Therefore, αvβ6 integrin serves as an attractive target for cancer imaging and for fibrosis and cancer therapy.

Cellular response to persistent foot-and-mouth disease virus infection is linked to specific types of alterations in the host cell transcriptome

Food-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) is a highly contagious virus that seriously threatens the development of animal husbandry. Although persistent FMDV infection can dramatically worsen the situation, the mechanisms involved in persistent FMDV infection remain unclear. In the present study, we identified the presence of evolved cells in the persistently FMDV-infected cell line. These cells exhibited resistance to the parent FMDV and re-established persistent infection when infected with FMDV-Op (virus supernatant of persistent infection cell lines), emphasizing the decisive role of evolved host cells in the establishment of persistent FMDV infection. Using RNA-seq, we identified the gene expression profiles of these evolved host cells. In total, 4,686 genes were differentially expressed in evolved cells compared with normal cells, with these genes being involved in metabolic processes, cell cycle, and cellular protein catabolic processes. In addition, 1,229 alternative splicing events, especially skipped exon events, were induced in evolved cells. Moreover, evolved cells exhibited a stronger immune defensive response and weaker MAPK signal response than normal cells. This comprehensive transcriptome analysis of evolved host cells lays the foundation for further investigations of the molecular mechanisms of persistent FMDV infection and screening for genes resistant to FMDV infection.

Genetic stability of foot-and-mouth disease virus during long-term infections in natural hosts

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a severe infection caused by a picornavirus that affects livestock and wildlife. Persistence in ruminants is a well-documented feature of Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) pathogenesis and a major concern for disease control. Persistently infected animals harbor virus for extended periods, providing a unique opportunity to study within-host virus evolution. This study investigated the genetic dynamics of FMDV during persistent infections of naturally infected Asian buffalo. Using next-generation sequencing (NGS) we obtained 21 near complete FMDV genome sequences from 12 sub-clinically infected buffalo over a period of one year. Four animals yielded only one virus isolate and one yielded two isolates of different serotype suggesting a serial infection. Seven persistently infected animals yielded more than one virus of the same serotype showing a long-term intra-host viral genetic divergence at the consensus level of less than 2.5%. Quasi-species analysis showed few nucleotide variants and non-synonymous substitutions of progeny virus despite intra-host persistence of up to 152 days. Phylogenetic analyses of serotype Asia-1 VP1 sequences clustered all viruses from persistent animals with Group VII viruses circulating in Pakistan in 2011, but distinct from those circulating on 2008–2009. Furthermore, signature amino acid (aa) substitutions were found in the antigenically relevant VP1 of persistent viruses compared with viruses from 2008–2009. Intra-host purifying selective pressure was observed, with few codons in structural proteins undergoing positive selection. However, FMD persistent viruses did not show a clear pattern of antigenic selection. Our findings provide insight into the evolutionary dynamics of FMDV populations within naturally occurring subclinical and persistent infections that may have implications to vaccination strategies in the region.

Clearance of a persistent picornavirus infection is associated with enhanced pro-apoptotic and cellular immune responses

Long-term persistent viral infections cause substantial morbidity and associated economic losses in human and veterinary contexts. Yet, the mechanisms associated with establishment of persistent infections are poorly elucidated. We investigated immunomodulatory mechanisms associated with clearance versus persistence of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) in micro-dissected compartments of the bovine nasopharynx by microarray. The use of laser-capture microdissection allowed elucidation of differential gene regulation within distinct anatomic compartments critical to FMDV infection. Analysis of samples from transitional and persistent phases of infection demonstrated significant differences in transcriptome profiles of animals that cleared infection versus those that became persistently infected carriers. Specifically, it was demonstrated that clearance of FMDV from the nasopharyngeal mucosa was associated with upregulation of targets associated with activation of T cell-mediated immunity. Contrastingly, gene regulation in FMDV carriers suggested inhibition of T cell activation and promotion of Th2 polarization. These findings were corroborated by immunofluorescence microscopy which demonstrated relative abundance of CD8⁺ T cells in the nasopharyngeal mucosa in association with clearance of FMDV. The findings presented herein emphasize that a critical balance between Th1 and Th2 -mediated immunity is essential for successful clearance of FMDV infection and should be considered for development of next-generation vaccines and antiviral products.

Host microRNA-203a Is antagonistic to the progression of foot-and-mouth disease virus infection

Sam68 was previously shown to be a critical host factor for foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) replication. MicroRNA (miR) miR-203a is reportedly a negative regulator of Sam68 expression both in vitro and in vivo. Here, transfection of miR-203a-3p and miR-203a-5p mimics separately and in combination in a porcine cell line followed by FMDV infection resulted in diminished viral protein synthesis and a 4 and 6log reduction in virus titers relative to negative controls, respectively. Unexpectedly, Sam68 expression was increased by miR-203a-5p transfection, but not miR-203a-3p. miR-203a-5p also down-regulated Survivin expression, which was predicted to play a role in FMDV infection. Moreover, miR-203a-5p but not miR-203a-3p affected a reduction in FMDV viral RNA. These effects were not replicated with a related Picornavirus, suggesting FMDV specificity. Importantly, miR-203a-3p and miR-203a-5p impaired FMDV infection across multiple FMDV serotypes. We concluded that miR-203a-3p and miR-203a-5p represent attractive potential naturally occurring bio-therapeutics against FMDV.

Global Foot-and-Mouth Disease Research Update and Gap Analysis: 7 - Pathogenesis and Molecular Biology

We assessed research knowledge gaps in the fields of FMDV (foot-and-mouth disease virus) pathogenesis and molecular biology by performing a literature review (2011-15) and collecting research updates (2014) from 33 institutes from across the world. Findings were used to identify priority areas for future research. There have been important advances in FMDV pathogenesis; FMDV remains in lymph nodes of many recovered animals that otherwise do not appear persistently infected, even in species previously not associated with the carrier state. Whether virus retention helps maintain host immunity and/or virus survival is not known. Studies of FMDV pathogenesis in wildlife have provided insights into disease epidemiology, in endemic and epidemic settings. Many aspects of FMDV infection and virus entry remain unknown; however, at the cellular level, we know that expression level and availability of integrins (that permit viral entry), rate of clearance of infected cells and strength of anti-viral type I IFN (interferon) response are key determinants of tissue tropism. Extending findings to improved understanding of transmission requires a standardized approach and adoption of natural routes of infection during experimental study. There has been recognition of the importance of autophagosomes for FMDV entry into the cytoplasm following cell surface receptor binding, and that distinct internal cellular membranes are exploited for viral replication and immune evasion. New roles for viral proteins in blocking type I IFN production and downstream signalling have been identified facilitating research in anti-viral therapeutics. We know more about how infection affects cell protein expression, and research into molecular determinants of capsid stability has aided the development of stable vaccines. We have an expanding knowledge of viral and host molecular determinates of virulence and infectiousness, and of how phylogenetics may be used to estimate vaccine match and strain distribution. With ongoing advances, these areas could translate into significantly improved disease control.

Transcriptomic Analysis of Persistent Infection with Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus in Cattle Suggests Impairment of Apoptosis and Cell-Mediated Immunity in the Nasopharynx

In order to investigate the mechanisms of persistent foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) infection in cattle, transcriptome alterations associated with the FMDV carrier state were characterized using a bovine whole-transcriptome microarray. Eighteen cattle (8 vaccinated with a recombinant FMDV A vaccine, 10 non-vaccinated) were challenged with FMDV A24 Cruzeiro, and the gene expression profiles of nasopharyngeal tissues collected between 21 and 35 days after challenge were compared between 11 persistently infected carriers and 7 non-carriers. Carriers and non-carriers were further compared to 2 naïve animals that had been neither vaccinated nor challenged. At a controlled false-discovery rate of 10% and a minimum difference in expression of 50%, 648 genes were differentially expressed between FMDV carriers and non-carriers, and most (467) had higher expression in carriers. Among these, genes associated with cellular proliferation and the immune response-such as chemokines, cytokines and genes regulating T and B cells-were significantly overrepresented. Differential gene expression was significantly correlated between non-vaccinated and vaccinated animals (biological correlation +0.97), indicating a similar transcriptome profile across these groups. Genes related to prostaglandin E2 production and the induction of regulatory T cells were overexpressed in carriers. In contrast, tissues from non-carrier animals expressed higher levels of complement regulators and pro-apoptotic genes that could promote virus clearance. Based on these findings, we propose a working hypothesis for FMDV persistence in nasopharyngeal tissues of cattle, in which the virus may be maintained by an impairment of apoptosis and the local suppression of cell-mediated antiviral immunity by inducible regulatory T cells.

Phase 1 Trials of rVSV Ebola Vaccine in Africa and Europe

BACKGROUND

The replication-competent recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV)-based vaccine expressing a Zaire ebolavirus (ZEBOV) glycoprotein was selected for rapid safety and immunogenicity testing before its use in West Africa.

METHODS

We performed three open-label, dose-escalation phase 1 trials and one randomized, double-blind, controlled phase 1 trial to assess the safety, side-effect profile, and immunogenicity of rVSV-ZEBOV at various doses in 158 healthy adults in Europe and Africa. All participants were injected with doses of vaccine ranging from 300,000 to 50 million plaque-forming units (PFU) or placebo.

RESULTS

No serious vaccine-related adverse events were reported. Mild-to-moderate early-onset reactogenicity was frequent but transient (median, 1 day). Fever was observed in up to 30% of vaccinees. Vaccine viremia was detected within 3 days in 123 of the 130 participants (95%) receiving 3 million PFU or more; rVSV was not detected in saliva or urine. In the second week after injection, arthritis affecting one to four joints developed in 11 of 51 participants (22%) in Geneva, with pain lasting a median of 8 days (interquartile range, 4 to 87); 2 self-limited cases occurred in 60 participants (3%) in Hamburg, Germany, and Kilifi, Kenya. The virus was identified in one synovial-fluid aspirate and in skin vesicles of 2 other vaccinees, showing peripheral viral replication in the second week after immunization. ZEBOV-glycoprotein-specific antibody responses were detected in all the participants, with similar glycoprotein-binding antibody titers but significantly higher neutralizing antibody titers at higher doses. Glycoprotein-binding antibody titers were sustained through 180 days in all participants.

CONCLUSIONS

In these studies, rVSV-ZEBOV was reactogenic but immunogenic after a single dose and warrants further evaluation for safety and efficacy. (Funded by the Wellcome Trust and others; ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT02283099, NCT02287480, and NCT02296983; Pan African Clinical Trials Registry number, PACTR201411000919191.).

IRES-mediated translation of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) in cultured cells derived from FMDV-susceptible and -insusceptible animals

BACKGROUND

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) possess a positive sense, single stranded RNA genome. Internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) element exists within its 5' untranslated region (5'UTR) of the viral RNA. Translation of the viral RNA is initiated by internal entry of the 40S ribosome within the IRES element. This process is facilitated by cellular factors known as IRES trans-acting factors (ITAFs). Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is host-restricted disease for cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle and pigs, but the factors determining the host range have not been identified yet. Although, ITAFs are known to promote IRES-mediated translation, these findings were confirmed only in cells derived from FMDV-insusceptible animals so far. We evaluated and compared the IRES-mediated translation activities among cell lines derived from four different animal species using bicistronic luciferase reporter plasmid, which possesses an FMDV-IRES element between Renilla and Firefly luciferase genes. Furthermore, we analyzed the effect of the cellular factors on IRES-mediated translation by silencing the cellular factors using siRNA in both FMDV-susceptible and -insusceptible animal cells.

RESULTS

Our data indicated that IRES-mediated translational activity was not linked to FMDV host range. ITAF45 promoted IRES-mediated translation in all cell lines, and the effects of poly-pyrimidine tract binding protein (PTB) and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1) were observed only in FMDV-susceptible cells. Thus, PTB and 4E-BP1 may influence the host range of FMDV.

CONCLUSIONS

IRES-mediated translation activity of FMDV was not predictive of its host range. ITAF45 promoted IRES-mediated translation in all cells, and the effects of PTB and 4E-BP1 were observed only in FMDV-susceptible cells.

Persistent Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Infection in the Nasopharynx of Cattle; Tissue-Specific Distribution and Local Cytokine Expression

Tissues obtained post-mortem from cattle persistently infected with foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) were analyzed to characterize the tissue-specific localization of FMDV and partial transcriptome profiles for selected immunoregulatory cytokines. Analysis of 28 distinct anatomic sites from 21 steers infected with FMDV serotype A, O or SAT2, had the highest prevalence of overall viral detection in the dorsal nasopharynx (80.95%) and dorsal soft palate (71.43%). FMDV was less frequently detected in laryngeal mucosal tissues, oropharyngeal mucosal sites, and lymph nodes draining the pharynx. Immunomicroscopy indicated that within persistently infected mucosal tissues, FMDV antigens were rarely detectable within few epithelial cells in regions of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). Transcriptome analysis of persistently infected pharyngeal tissues by qRT-PCR for 14 cytokine genes indicated a general trend of decreased mRNA levels compared to uninfected control animals. Although, statistically significant differences were not observed, greatest suppression of relative expression (RE) was identified for IP-10 (RE = 0.198), IFN-β (RE = 0.269), IL-12 (RE = 0.275), and IL-2 (RE = 0.312). Increased relative expression was detected for IL-6 (RE = 2.065). Overall, this data demonstrates that during the FMDV carrier state in cattle, viral persistence is associated with epithelial cells of the nasopharynx in the upper respiratory tract and decreased levels of mRNA for several immunoregulatory cytokines in the infected tissues.

Foot-and-mouth disease virus virulence in cattle is co-determined by viral replication dynamics and route of infection

Early events in the pathogenesis of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) infection in cattle were investigated through aerosol and intraepithelial lingual (IEL) inoculations of a cDNA-derived FMDV-A24 wild type virus (FMDV-WT) or a mutant derived from the same clone (FMDV-Mut). After aerosolization of FMDV-WT, primary infection sites had significantly greater quantities of FMDV, viral RNA, and type I/III interferon (IFN) activity compared to corresponding tissues from cattle infected with FMDV-Mut. Additionally, FMDV-WT-infected cattle had marked induction of systemic IFN activity in serum. In contrast, FMDV-Mut aerosol-infected cattle did not manifest systemic IFN response nor had viremia. Interestingly, IEL inoculation of FMDV-Mut in cattle restored the virulent phenotype and systemic IFN response. These data indicate that the attenuated phenotype in cattle is associated with decreased replicative efficiency, reflected by decreased innate response. However, attenuation is abrogated by bypassing the common primary infection sites, inducing accelerated viral replication at the inoculation site.