Comparative transcriptome analysis of PBMCs in cats diagnosed with and recovered from FIPV

Feline infectious peritonitis is a viral disease caused by feline coronavirus an enveloped virus with a single-stranded RNA genome that is approximately 30 kb long. Although FCoV generally causes mild symptoms, approximately 5% of cases progress to death in cats worldwide. FCoV shares certain virological features with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 that causes COVID-19, indicating that common therapeutic strategies may be applicable. GS-441524 the parent drug of remdesivir and a competitive inhibitor of nucleoside triphosphates in viral RNA synthesis is a well-known treatment for FIP. However, comparative transcriptome and gene ontology analyses of normal (Normal), FIP-diseased (FIPD), and FIP-recovered (FIPR) cats have not yet been conducted.

In this study, we compared the mRNA expression profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from Normal, FIPD, and FIPR cats to identify immunological alterations. We identified 677 (FIPD/Normal) and 431 (FIPR/FIPD) differentially expressed genes with statistical significance. These data were input into the bioinformatics program. As a result, the analysis revealed statistically significant and contrasting patterns of canonical pathways of neutrophil degranulation and interleukin-8 (IL-8) signaling pathways. Additionally, we observed that kruppel-like factor 6 (KLF6) and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) were upstream molecules of IL-8, promoting neutrophil activation and function.

This study identified immunological alterations in PBMCs of Normal, FIPD, and FIPR cats. KLF-6 and NF-κB were found to regulate IL-8-mediated neutrophil activation.