Temporally integrated transcriptome analysis reveals ASFV pathology and host response dynamics

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Virology
• Immunology
• Genomics

Background:

• African swine fever virus (ASFV) causes a severe hemorrhagic disease in pigs, leading to significant economic losses.
• The intricate mechanisms of ASFV pathogenesis and host immune system interactions are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the temporal viral and host transcriptomes in porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs) infected with virulent (SY18) and attenuated (HuB20) ASFV strains.
• To elucidate the differences in host responses and identify key genes involved in ASFV pathogenicity.

Main Methods:

• Transcriptome profiling of porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs) infected with virulent and attenuated ASFV strains.
• Integrated computational analysis and experimental validation of viral and host gene expression.
• Analysis of immune response pathways, including DNA and RNA virus sensing mechanisms.

Main Results:

• Significant differences were observed in viral gene expression programs between the SY18 and HuB20 strains.
• The attenuated HuB20 strain rapidly induced a stronger antiviral immune response, activating key immune genes like cGAS, STAT1/2, IRF9, and MX1/2.
• ASFV infection, a DNA virus, surprisingly activated genes associated with RNA virus responses, with greater induction by the HuB20 strain.

Conclusions:

• The study provides novel insights into the dynamic host-virus interactions during ASFV infection.
• Differences in host response activation correlate with ASFV strain virulence.
• Findings offer a foundation for future research into ASFV pathogenicity and the development of control strategies.