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Dissecting Host-virus Interaction in Lytic Replication of a Model Herpesvirus
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Integration of bovine herpesvirus 4 genome into cultured persistently infected host cell genome

Gaetano Donofrio1, Antonio Capocefalo, Valentina Franceschi

  • 1Dipartimento di Salute Animale, Sezione di Malattie Infettive degli Animali, Università di Parma, Via del Taglio 10, 43100 Parma, Italy. gaetano.donofrio@unipr.it

Virology Journal
|September 22, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Persistent bovine herpesvirus 4 (BoHV-4) infection in macrophages, linked to bovine metritis, involves both circular episomal and integrated viral genomes. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for controlling persistent infections.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Virology
  • Cellular Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Bovine herpesvirus 4 (BoHV-4) persistent infection in macrophages is implicated in bovine post-partum metritis.
  • The mechanisms maintaining BoHV-4 persistent infection remain unclear.
  • Previous studies established in vitro models using drug-selected cells with circular episomal BoHV-4 genomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the genomic state of BoHV-4 during persistent infection in macrophages.
  • To elucidate mechanisms of BoHV-4 genome maintenance in host cells.

Main Methods:

  • Generation of in vitro models of persistent BoHV-4 infection in human and bovine macrophage cell lines.
  • Drug selection of infected cells carrying a BoHV-4 drug-resistance marker.
  • Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) to detect viral genomes within host cell nuclei.

Main Results:

  • Demonstration of circular episomal BoHV-4 genomes in persistently infected cells.
  • Confirmation of BoHV-4 genome integration into the host cell genome using FISH.
  • Evidence for dual genomic states (episomal and integrated) of BoHV-4 during persistent infection.

Conclusions:

  • BoHV-4 persistent infection in macrophages is characterized by the presence of both circular episomal and integrated viral genomes.
  • Genome integration represents a potential mechanism for long-term persistence of BoHV-4.
  • Further research is needed to fully understand the implications of these genomic states for disease pathogenesis.

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