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Comparative morphogenesis of three PRRS virus strains

J M Pol1, F Wagenaar, J E Reus

  • 1Institute for Animal Science and Health, Lelystad, The Netherlands.

Insights

European and U.S. Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) strains show similar morphogenesis but differ in preferred cell types. Lelystad virus prefers porcine lung alveolar macrophages, while U.S. strains prefer CL2621 cells.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Cell Biology
  • Animal Health

Background:

  • Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) causes significant economic losses in the swine industry.
  • Understanding PRRSV strain variations is crucial for effective disease control and vaccine development.
  • Morphogenesis and cellular tropism of different PRRSV strains are not fully elucidated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the morphogenesis of a Dutch PRRSV field strain (Lelystad virus) with a U.S. field strain (VR2332) and its attenuated vaccine strain (JJ1882).
  • To investigate the replication kinetics and preferred cell types of these PRRSV strains.

Main Methods:

  • Infection of porcine lung alveolar macrophages (PLAM) and CL2621 cells with high virus doses (MOI = 10).
  • Analysis of viral morphogenesis and antigen detection using electron microscopy and immunoperoxidase staining at various time points post-infection (4-48 hpi).
  • Comparative analysis of replication rates and cellular tropism between the three PRRSV strains.

Main Results:

  • All three PRRSV strains exhibited similar virus particle assembly, envelopment at the smooth endoplasmic reticulum, and egress.
  • Viral antigens were detected from 6 hpi, and assembled virus particles from 9 hpi in infected cells.
  • Lelystad virus replicated efficiently in PLAM, whereas VR2332 and JJ1882 showed preference for CL2621 cells. JJ1882 replicated faster in CL2621 cells than VR2332.

Conclusions:

  • Despite genomic differences, the morphogenesis of European and U.S. PRRSV strains is visually similar.
  • A distinct difference in preferred host cell type exists between the European Lelystad virus and the U.S. strains (VR2332 and JJ1882).
  • These findings highlight the importance of cellular tropism in PRRSV strain characterization and potential implications for disease spread and control strategies.

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