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Morbillivirus Experimental Animal Models: Measles Virus Pathogenesis Insights from Canine Distemper Virus
Renata da Fontoura Budaszewski1,2, Veronika von Messling3
1Laboratório de Virologia, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 91540-000, Brazil. renata.fontoura@ufrgs.br.
Abstract:
Morbilliviruses share considerable structural and functional similarities. Even though disease severity varies among the respective host species, the underlying pathogenesis and the clinical signs are comparable. Thus, insights gained with one morbillivirus often apply to the other members of the genus. Since the Canine distemper virus (CDV) causes severe and often lethal disease in dogs and ferrets, it is an attractive model to characterize morbillivirus pathogenesis mechanisms and to evaluate the efficacy of new prophylactic and therapeutic approaches. This review compares the cellular tropism, pathogenesis, mechanisms of persistence and immunosuppression of the Measles virus (MeV) and CDV. It then summarizes the contributions made by studies on the CDV in dogs and ferrets to our understanding of MeV pathogenesis and to vaccine and drugs development.
Insights
Canine distemper virus (CDV) and Measles virus (MeV) share similarities. Studying CDV in dogs and ferrets advances understanding of MeV pathogenesis and aids vaccine and drug development for morbilliviruses.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Veterinary Medicine
Background:
- Morbilliviruses exhibit significant structural and functional similarities.
- Disease pathogenesis and clinical signs are comparable across different host species.
- Canine distemper virus (CDV) serves as a valuable model due to its severe impact on dogs and ferrets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare cellular tropism, pathogenesis, persistence, and immunosuppression mechanisms of Measles virus (MeV) and CDV.
- To review how CDV studies inform MeV pathogenesis understanding.
- To summarize CDV's contribution to MeV vaccine and drug development.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of cellular tropism.
- Review of pathogenesis studies.
- Examination of persistence and immunosuppression mechanisms.
- Literature review of CDV's impact on MeV research.
Main Results:
- Morbillivirus pathogenesis and clinical signs are broadly conserved.
- CDV research provides critical insights into MeV infection.
- Studies on CDV have facilitated advancements in MeV countermeasures.
Conclusions:
- Insights from CDV research are transferable to other morbilliviruses, including MeV.
- CDV is an effective model for understanding morbillivirus biology.
- CDV studies significantly contribute to developing vaccines and therapeutics for MeV.
