Permissive cells and uses thereof

Abstract

Described are methods for determining the permissiveness of a cell for a virus that is a member of the family Arteriviridae or Coronaviridae or Asfarviridae, in particular, for Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV). Further described are methods and compositions related to the generation of host cells permissive for a virus that is a member of the family Arteriviridae or Coronaviridae or Asfarviridae, in particular, for PRRSV. Methods of utilzing the cells thus identified or thus generated, in preparing a culture of a virus that is a member of the family Arteriviridae or Coronaviridae or Asfarviridae, as well as the use of the virus for the purpose of vaccine production or diagnosis, are also described.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 452,675, filed Jan. 13, 2010, U.S. patent Ser. No. ______, which application is a national phase entry under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Patent Application PCT / EP2008 / 006045, filed Jul. 23, 2008, designating the United States of America and published in English as International Patent Publication WO 2009 / 024239 A2 on Feb. 26, 2009, which claims the benefit under Article 8 of the Patent Cooperation Treaty and under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to Great Britain Patent Application Serial No. 0811278.1 filed Jun. 19, 2008, and to European Patent Application Serial No. 07014842.4 filed Jul. 27, 2007, the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated herein by this reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The disclosure relates generally to the field of virology. More particularly, it relates to methods for determining the permissiveness of a cell for a vir...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text discusses the discovery of a new mechanism for virus infection in cells. Based on the analysis of the kinetics of infection in different types of cells, researchers found that a combination of two molecules, CD163 and sialoadhesin, was the most efficient for sustaining viral replication and mimicking the entry of the virus in its natural host. This combination of molecules led to the formation of a synergistic effect, resulting in higher virus production compared to cells expressing either molecule alone. Co-expression of both molecules in cells was able to render non-permissive cells permissive for virus infection and increase the permissivity of partially susceptible cells. This knowledge can be useful for the production of vaccine viruses, as it suggests a way to reduce viral adaptation in cell culture.

Problems solved by technology

In addition, expression of recombinant forms of both CD163 and sialoadhesin in non-permissive cells renders all of them susceptible to PRRSV infection resulting in the production and release of infectious progeny virus.

In contrast, when only CD163 is present, infection is clearly less efficient, and even absent in some cell types.

Such modified epitopes can have tremendous effects on the antigenicity of vaccine viruses produced on given cells, resulting in loss of induction of important neutralizing antibodies.

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