Genetically modified pigs lacking CD163 PSTII-domain-coding exon 13 are completely resistant to PRRSV infection

In this study, to determine whether the deletion of exon 13 is sufficient to confer resistance of pigs to PRRSV infection, we produced pigs possessing a defined CD163 exon 13 deletion (ΔExon13 pigs) and evaluated their susceptibility to viral infection. Wild type (WT) and CD163 modified pigs, placed in the same room, were infected with PRRSV-2. The modified pigs remained PCR and serologically negative for PRRSV throughout the study; whereas the WT pigs supported PRRSV infection and showed PRRSV related pathology. Importantly, our data also suggested that removal of exon 13 did not affect the main physiological function associated with CD163 in vivo. These results demonstrate that a modification of CD163 through a precise deletion of exon 13 provides a strategy for protection against PRRSV infection.PMID:38184111 | DOI:10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.105793

Source: Antiviral Research - January 6, 2024 Category: Virology Authors: Brianna Salgado Rafael Bautista Rivas Derek Pinto Tad S Sonstegard Daniel F Carlson Kyra Martins Jonathan R Bostrom Yamlak Sinebo Raymond R R Rowland Alberto Brandariz-Nu ñez Source Type: research