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Comparative analysis of human, rodent and snake deltavirus replication
Pierre Khalfi1, Zoé Denis1, Joe McKellar1
1Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France.
Plos Pathogens
|March 5, 2024
Summary
Kolmioviridae viruses, including Hepatitis D virus (HDV), can replicate in various animal cells. This study reveals differences in host cell range and replication efficiency, crucial for understanding zoonotic potential.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Kolmioviridae, a family of Hepatitis D virus (HDV)-like viruses, have been discovered in diverse taxa.
- Emerging evidence suggests kolmiovirids may not solely depend on Hepatitis B virus (HBV) for replication, challenging established dogma.
- Assessing the zoonotic potential of kolmiovirids necessitates understanding their ability to replicate in animal cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the replication capabilities of three kolmiovirids: HDV, rodent (RDeV), and snake (SDeV) deltavirus.
- To investigate the in vitro and in vivo host cell range of these viruses.
- To elucidate the cellular organization and replication dynamics of kolmiovirids.
Main Methods:
- In vitro cell culture experiments to assess viral replication.
- In vivo hydrodynamic delivery of viral replicons in mouse models.
- High-resolution imaging techniques to visualize viral structures within infected cells.
Main Results:
- Rodent deltavirus (RDeV) exhibited the broadest host cell range, while snake deltavirus (SDeV) had the narrowest.
- Hepatitis D virus (HDV) and RDeV efficiently replicated in mouse liver in vivo, forming distinct nuclear viral hubs.
- SDeV demonstrated limited replication in vivo compared to HDV and RDeV.
Conclusions:
- Kolmiovirid replication is not strictly confined to specific host cells, with variations observed among different deltaviruses.
- Replication efficiency in vivo differs significantly, with HDV and RDeV showing robust liver replication in mice.
- This comparative analysis provides a basis for identifying host factors that govern Kolmioviridae host-shifting and zoonotic transmission.
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