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Tang X, Shang J, Chen G, Chan KHK, Shi M, Sun Y. SegVir: Reconstruction of Complete Segmented RNA Viral Genomes from Metatranscriptomes. Mol Biol Evol 2024; 41:msae171. [PMID: 39137184 PMCID: PMC11346362 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msae171] [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] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Segmented RNA viruses are a complex group of RNA viruses with multisegment genomes. Reconstructing complete segmented viruses is crucial for advancing our understanding of viral diversity, evolution, and public health impact. Using metatranscriptomic data to identify known and novel segmented viruses has sped up the survey of segmented viruses in various ecosystems. However, the high genetic diversity and the difficulty in binning complete segmented genomes present significant challenges in segmented virus reconstruction. Current virus detection tools are primarily used to identify nonsegmented viral genomes. This study presents SegVir, a novel tool designed to identify segmented RNA viruses and reconstruct their complete genomes from complex metatranscriptomes. SegVir leverages both close and remote homology searches to accurately detect conserved and divergent viral segments. Additionally, we introduce a new method that can evaluate the genome completeness and conservation based on gene content. Our evaluations on simulated datasets demonstrate SegVir's superior sensitivity and precision compared to existing tools. Moreover, in experiments using real data, we identified some virus segments missing in the NCBI database, underscoring SegVir's potential to enhance viral metagenome analysis. The source code and supporting data of SegVir are available via https://github.com/HubertTang/SegVir.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xubo Tang
- Department of Electrical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong (SAR), China
| | - Jiayu Shang
- Department of Information Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong (SAR), China
| | - Guowei Chen
- Department of Electrical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong (SAR), China
| | - Kei Hang Katie Chan
- Department of Electrical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong (SAR), China
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong (SAR), China
| | - Mang Shi
- State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Yanni Sun
- Department of Electrical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong (SAR), China
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Devignot S, Sha TW, Burkard TR, Schmerer P, Hagelkruys A, Mirazimi A, Elling U, Penninger JM, Weber F. Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) as an auxiliary host factor for RNA viruses. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202302005. [PMID: 37072184 PMCID: PMC10114362 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Viruses with an RNA genome are often the cause of zoonotic infections. In order to identify novel pro-viral host cell factors, we screened a haploid insertion-mutagenized mouse embryonic cell library for clones that are resistant to Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV). This screen returned the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) as a top hit, a plasma membrane protein involved in a wide variety of cell activities. Inactivation of LRP1 in human cells reduced RVFV RNA levels already at the attachment and entry stages of infection. Moreover, the role of LRP1 in promoting RVFV infection was dependent on physiological levels of cholesterol and on endocytosis. In the human cell line HuH-7, LRP1 also promoted early infection stages of sandfly fever Sicilian virus and La Crosse virus, but had a minor effect on late infection by vesicular stomatitis virus, whereas encephalomyocarditis virus was entirely LRP1-independent. Moreover, siRNA experiments in human Calu-3 cells demonstrated that also SARS-CoV-2 infection benefitted from LRP1. Thus, we identified LRP1 as a host factor that supports infection by a spectrum of RNA viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Devignot
- Institute for Virology, FB10-Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Tim Wai Sha
- Institute for Virology, FB10-Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Thomas R Burkard
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna, Austria
| | - Patrick Schmerer
- Institute for Virology, FB10-Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Astrid Hagelkruys
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna, Austria
| | - Ali Mirazimi
- Public Health Agency of Sweden, Solna, Sweden
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Ulrich Elling
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna, Austria
| | - Josef M Penninger
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna, Austria
- Department of Medical Genetics, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Friedemann Weber
- Institute for Virology, FB10-Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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Apari P, Földvári G. Domestication and microbiome succession may drive pathogen spillover. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1102337. [PMID: 37007505 PMCID: PMC10065160 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1102337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging infectious diseases have posed growing medical, social and economic threats to humanity. The biological background of pathogen spillover or host switch, however, still has to be clarified. Disease ecology finds pathogen spillovers frequently but struggles to explain at the molecular level. Contrarily, molecular biological traits of host-pathogen relationships with specific molecular binding mechanisms predict few spillovers. Here we aim to provide a synthetic explanation by arguing that domestication, horizontal gene transfer even between superkingdoms as well as gradual exchange of microbiome (microbiome succession) are essential in the whole scenario. We present a new perspective at the molecular level which can explain the observations of frequent pathogen spillover events at the ecological level. This proposed rationale is described in detail, along with supporting evidence from the peer-reviewed literature and suggestions for testing hypothesis validity. We also highlight the importance of systematic monitoring of virulence genes across taxonomical categories and in the whole biosphere as it helps prevent future epidemics and pandemics. We conclude that that the processes of domestication, horizontal gene transfer and microbial succession might be important mechanisms behind the many spillover events driven and accelerated by climate change, biodiversity loss and globalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Péter Apari
- Institute of Evolution, Centre for Ecological Research, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Földvári
- Institute of Evolution, Centre for Ecological Research, Budapest, Hungary
- Centre for Eco-Epidemiology, National Laboratory for Health Security, Budapest, Hungary
- *Correspondence: Gábor Földvári,
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Dagestani AA, Qing L, Abou Houran M. What Remains Unsolved in Sub-African Environmental Exposure Information Disclosure: A Review. JOURNAL OF RISK AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 15:487. [DOI: 10.3390/jrfm15100487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Background: Africa comprises the bulk of struggling economies. However, Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing rapid industrialization and urbanization. Excessive resource use, pollution, and the absence of relevant environmental disclosure are factors that contribute to these human-made damages. Environmental pollution as a threat to sustainable development results from these damages. Although it has been established that Sub-Saharan Africa would benefit from resource-management development, sustainable environmental strategies, and a reduction in urbanization and persistent poverty, the information on these issues has not been made public. Objective: To provide a full account of the level of environmental-exposure disclosure in Sub-Saharan African countries, including the current level of progress, gaps, and prospects, we reviewed the literature on environmental exposure information research in African populations. Methodology: We searched PubMed and Google Scholar for peer-reviewed research articles, reviews, or books examining environmental exposure and information disclosure in human populations in Africa. Results: In total, 89 full-text articles were eligible for the inclusion criteria. A quality assessment of the retrieved articles using the PRISMA guidelines resulted in the exclusion of 40 articles; therefore, 49 studies were included in the final analysis. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the environmental exposure information on household injuries, the use of chemicals such as pesticides in farming, industry-linked vectors and diseases, laboratory chemical exposure, industrial exposure, and epigenetic factors are not well-disclosed to the population. Conclusion: Environmental information disclosure standards should be incorporated into central-government policy recommendations. Standards should identify polluting industries, and companies should refrain from the voluntary disclosure of environmental information to manage their reputation. Heavy-pollution industries should be made sufficiently transparent to lessen the company–media collusion on information disclosure.
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Zhang F, Chase-Topping M, Guo CG, Woolhouse MEJ. Predictors of human-infective RNA virus discovery in the United States, China, and Africa, an ecological study. eLife 2022; 11:e72123. [PMID: 35666108 PMCID: PMC9278958 DOI: 10.7554/elife.72123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The variation in the pathogen type as well as the spatial heterogeneity of predictors make the generality of any associations with pathogen discovery debatable. Our previous work confirmed that the association of a group of predictors differed across different types of RNA viruses, yet there have been no previous comparisons of the specific predictors for RNA virus discovery in different regions. The aim of the current study was to close the gap by investigating whether predictors of discovery rates within three regions-the United States, China, and Africa-differ from one another and from those at the global level. Methods Based on a comprehensive list of human-infective RNA viruses, we collated published data on first discovery of each species in each region. We used a Poisson boosted regression tree (BRT) model to examine the relationship between virus discovery and 33 predictors representing climate, socio-economics, land use, and biodiversity across each region separately. The discovery probability in three regions in 2010-2019 was mapped using the fitted models and historical predictors. Results The numbers of human-infective virus species discovered in the United States, China, and Africa up to 2019 were 95, 80, and 107 respectively, with China lagging behind the other two regions. In each region, discoveries were clustered in hotspots. BRT modelling suggested that in all three regions RNA virus discovery was better predicted by land use and socio-economic variables than climatic variables and biodiversity, although the relative importance of these predictors varied by region. Map of virus discovery probability in 2010-2019 indicated several new hotspots outside historical high-risk areas. Most new virus species since 2010 in each region (6/6 in the United States, 19/19 in China, 12/19 in Africa) were discovered in high-risk areas as predicted by our model. Conclusions The drivers of spatiotemporal variation in virus discovery rates vary in different regions of the world. Within regions virus discovery is driven mainly by land-use and socio-economic variables; climate and biodiversity variables are consistently less important predictors than at a global scale. Potential new discovery hotspots in 2010-2019 are identified. Results from the study could guide active surveillance for new human-infective viruses in local high-risk areas. Funding FFZ is funded by the Darwin Trust of Edinburgh (https://darwintrust.bio.ed.ac.uk/). MEJW has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 874735 (VEO) (https://www.veo-europe.eu/).
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Affiliation(s)
- Feifei Zhang
- Usher Institute, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Margo Chase-Topping
- Usher Institute, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
- Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Chuan-Guo Guo
- Department of Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong KongHong KongChina
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Tian L, Pang Z, Li M, Lou F, An X, Zhu S, Song L, Tong Y, Fan H, Fan J. Molnupiravir and Its Antiviral Activity Against COVID-19. Front Immunol 2022; 13:855496. [PMID: 35444647 PMCID: PMC9013824 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.855496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) constitutes a major worldwide public health threat and economic burden. The pandemic is still ongoing and the SARS-CoV-2 variants are still emerging constantly, resulting in an urgent demand for new drugs to treat this disease. Molnupiravir, a biological prodrug of NHC (β-D-N(4)-hydroxycytidine), is a novel nucleoside analogue with a broad-spectrum antiviral activity against SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Ebola virus (EBOV). Molnupiravir showed potent therapeutic and prophylactic activity against multiple coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV in animal models. In clinical trials, molnupiravir showed beneficial effects for mild to moderate COVID-19 patients with a favorable safety profile. The oral bioavailability and potent antiviral activity of molnupiravir highlight its potential utility as a therapeutic candidate against COVID-19. This review presents the research progress of molnupiravir starting with its discovery and synthesis, broad-spectrum antiviral effects, and antiviral mechanism. In addition, the preclinical studies, antiviral resistance, clinical trials, safety, and drug tolerability of molnupiravir are also summarized and discussed, aiming to expand our knowledge on molnupiravir and better deal with the COVID-19 epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Tian
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Zehan Pang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Maochen Li
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Fuxing Lou
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoping An
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Shaozhou Zhu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Lihua Song
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Junfen Fan, ; Huahao Fan, ; Yigang Tong, ; Lihua Song,
| | - Yigang Tong
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Junfen Fan, ; Huahao Fan, ; Yigang Tong, ; Lihua Song,
| | - Huahao Fan
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Junfen Fan, ; Huahao Fan, ; Yigang Tong, ; Lihua Song,
| | - Junfen Fan
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Cerebrovascular Disease Research, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Junfen Fan, ; Huahao Fan, ; Yigang Tong, ; Lihua Song,
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Population genomics of Escherichia coli in livestock-keeping households across a rapidly developing urban landscape. Nat Microbiol 2022; 7:581-589. [PMID: 35288654 PMCID: PMC8975746 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-022-01079-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Quantitative evidence for the risk of zoonoses and the spread of antimicrobial resistance remains lacking. Here, as part of the UrbanZoo project, we sampled Escherichia coli from humans, livestock and peri-domestic wildlife in 99 households across Nairobi, Kenya, to investigate its distribution among host species in this rapidly developing urban landscape. We performed whole-genome sequencing of 1,338 E. coli isolates and found that the diversity and sharing patterns of E. coli were heavily structured by household and strongly shaped by host type. We also found evidence for inter-household and inter-host sharing and, importantly, between humans and animals, although this occurs much less frequently. Resistome similarity was differently distributed across host and household, consistent with being driven by shared exposure to antimicrobials. Our results indicate that a large, epidemiologically structured sampling framework combined with WGS is needed to uncover strain-sharing events among different host populations in complex environments and the major contributing pathways that could ultimately drive the emergence of zoonoses and the spread of antimicrobial resistance. Phylogeography and phylogenomic analyses of E. coli isolates collected from humans and domesticated and wild animals across 99 households in Nairobi reveal strong intra-household, and lower but detectable inter-household and inter-host, strain-sharing patterns.
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van Heuvel Y, Schatz S, Rosengarten JF, Stitz J. Infectious RNA: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Biology, Therapeutic Intervention, and the Quest for a Vaccine. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14020138. [PMID: 35202165 PMCID: PMC8876946 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14020138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Different mechanisms mediate the toxicity of RNA. Genomic retroviral mRNA hijacks infected host cell factors to enable virus replication. The viral genomic RNA of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) encompasses nine genes encoding in less than 10 kb all proteins needed for replication in susceptible host cells. To do so, the genomic RNA undergoes complex alternative splicing to facilitate the synthesis of the structural, accessory, and regulatory proteins. However, HIV strongly relies on the host cell machinery recruiting cellular factors to complete its replication cycle. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) targets different steps in the cycle, preventing disease progression to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The comprehension of the host immune system interaction with the virus has fostered the development of a variety of vaccine platforms. Despite encouraging provisional results in vaccine trials, no effective vaccine has been developed, yet. However, novel promising vaccine platforms are currently under investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasemin van Heuvel
- Research Group Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences, TH Köln—University of Applied Sciences, Chempark Leverkusen, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Allee, 51368 Leverkusen, Germany; (Y.v.H.); (S.S.); (J.F.R.)
- Institute of Technical Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Callinstraße 3-9, 30167 Hannover, Germany
| | - Stefanie Schatz
- Research Group Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences, TH Köln—University of Applied Sciences, Chempark Leverkusen, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Allee, 51368 Leverkusen, Germany; (Y.v.H.); (S.S.); (J.F.R.)
- Institute of Technical Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Callinstraße 3-9, 30167 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jamila Franca Rosengarten
- Research Group Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences, TH Köln—University of Applied Sciences, Chempark Leverkusen, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Allee, 51368 Leverkusen, Germany; (Y.v.H.); (S.S.); (J.F.R.)
- Institute of Technical Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Callinstraße 3-9, 30167 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jörn Stitz
- Research Group Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences, TH Köln—University of Applied Sciences, Chempark Leverkusen, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Allee, 51368 Leverkusen, Germany; (Y.v.H.); (S.S.); (J.F.R.)
- Correspondence:
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Perlas A, Argilaguet J, Bertran K, Sánchez-González R, Nofrarías M, Valle R, Ramis A, Cortey M, Majó N. Dual Host and Pathogen RNA-Seq Analysis Unravels Chicken Genes Potentially Involved in Resistance to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus Infection. Front Immunol 2022; 12:800188. [PMID: 35003125 PMCID: PMC8727699 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.800188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) cause severe systemic disease and high mortality rates in chickens, leading to a huge economic impact in the poultry sector. However, some chickens are resistant to the disease. This study aimed at evaluating the mechanisms behind HPAIV disease resistance. Chickens of different breeds were challenged with H7N1 HPAIV or clade 2.3.4.4b H5N8 HPAIV, euthanized at 3 days post-inoculation (dpi), and classified as resistant or susceptible depending on the following criteria: chickens that presented i) clinical signs, ii) histopathological lesions, and iii) presence of HPAIV antigen in tissues were classified as susceptible, while chickens lacking all these criteria were classified as resistant. Once classified, we performed RNA-Seq from lung and spleen samples in order to compare the transcriptomic signatures between resistant and susceptible chickens. We identified minor transcriptomic changes in resistant chickens in contrast with huge alterations observed in susceptible chickens. Interestingly, six differentially expressed genes were downregulated in resistant birds and upregulated in susceptible birds. Some of these genes belong to the NF-kappa B and/or mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways. Among these six genes, the serine protease-encoding gene PLAU was of particular interest, being the most significantly downregulated gene in resistant chickens. Expression levels of this protease were further validated by RT-qPCR in a larger number of experimentally infected chickens. Furthermore, HPAIV quasi-species populations were constructed using 3 dpi oral swabs. No substantial changes were found in the viral segments that interact with the innate immune response and with the host cell receptors, reinforcing the role of the immune system of the host in the clinical outcome. Altogether, our results suggest that an early inactivation of important host genes could prevent an exaggerated immune response and/or viral replication, conferring resistance to HPAIV in chickens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Perlas
- Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA-UAB), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain.,Departament de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Jordi Argilaguet
- Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA-UAB), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Kateri Bertran
- Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA-UAB), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Raúl Sánchez-González
- Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA-UAB), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain.,Departament de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Miquel Nofrarías
- Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA-UAB), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Rosa Valle
- Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA-UAB), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Antonio Ramis
- Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA-UAB), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain.,Departament de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Martí Cortey
- Departament de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Natàlia Majó
- Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA-UAB), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain.,Departament de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
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Abstract
Infectious diseases emerge via many routes and may need to overcome stepwise bottlenecks to burgeon into epidemics and pandemics. About 60% of human infections have animal origins, whereas 40% either co-evolved with humans or emerged from non-zoonotic environmental sources. Although the dynamic interaction between wildlife, domestic animals, and humans is important for the surveillance of zoonotic potential, exotic origins tend to be overemphasized since many zoonoses come from anthropophilic wild species (for example, rats and bats). We examine the equivocal evidence of whether the appearance of novel infections is accelerating and relate technological developments to the risk of novel disease outbreaks. Then we briefly compare selected epidemics, ancient and modern, from the Plague of Athens to COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin A Weiss
- Division of Infection & Immunity, University College London, London, UK
| | - Neeraja Sankaran
- The Descartes Centre for the History and Philosophy of the Sciences and the Humanities, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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