PRRSV, the virus

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Molecular Biology
• Immunology

Background:

• Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a major cause of economic loss in the swine industry.
• PRRSV is a positive-strand RNA virus within the Arteriviridae family.
• The virus infects primary alveolar macrophages and monkey kidney cell lines.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the genomic structure and genetic diversity of PRRSV.
• To describe the development of tools for PRRSV research, including monoclonal antibodies and recombinant proteins.
• To highlight the creation of an infectious cDNA clone for PRRSV mutant generation.

Main Methods:

• Genomic RNA sequencing and comparison of different PRRSV strains.
• Production of PRRSV-specific monoclonal antibodies.
• Development of recombinant structural proteins.
• Generation of PRRSV mutants using an infectious cDNA clone.

Main Results:

• The PRRSV genome is approximately 15 kb and encodes key viral proteins (replicase, glycoproteins, M, and N).
• Nucleotide sequence comparison revealed two distinct antigenic types: European and North American strains.
• Monoclonal antibodies and recombinant proteins specific to PRRSV have been successfully produced.
• A functional infectious cDNA clone enables the generation of well-defined PRRSV mutants.

Conclusions:

• PRRSV possesses a well-defined genomic structure with distinct antigenic variants.
• The availability of PRRSV-specific reagents and genetic tools facilitates further research into viral pathogenesis and vaccine development.
• The infectious cDNA clone is a powerful tool for reverse genetics studies of PRRSV.