Host responses contributing to the attenuation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses missing E protein domains

ABSTRACT: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) causes a respiratory disease leading to death in 10% of the infected people. A mouse adapted SARS-CoV lacking the envelope (E) protein (rSARS-CoV-MA15-?E) is attenuated in vivo. To identify E protein domains and host responses that contribute to rSARS-CoV-MA15-?E attenuation, several mutants (rSARS-CoV-MA15-E*) containing point mutations or deletions in the amino-terminal or the carboxy-terminal regions of E protein, respectively, were generated. Amino acid substitutions in the amino terminus, or deletion of domains in the internal carboxy terminal region of E protein led to viral attenuation. Attenuated viruses induced minimal lung injury and limited neutrophil influx to the lungs but, interestingly, increased CD4+ and CD8+ T cell counts in BALB/c mice. To analyze the host responses leading to rSARS-CoV-MA15-E* attenuation, the differential gene expression elicited by the native virus and the mutant ones in infected cells was analyzed. The expression levels of a large number of proinflammatory cytokines inducing lung injury was reduced in the lungs of rSARS-CoV-MA15-E* infected mice, whereas the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines were increased, both at the mRNA and protein levels. These results suggested that the reduction in lung inflammation together with a specific antiviral T cell response, contributed to rSARS-CoV-MA15-E* attenuation. Interestingly, the attenuated viruses completely protected mice against the challenge with the lethal parental virus, being promising vaccine candidates. Three biological replicates were independently hybridized (one channel per slide) for each sample type (rSARS-CoV-MA15-wt, rSARS-CoV-MA15-?E, rSARS-CoV-MA15-?3, rSARS-CoV-MA15-?5, Mock). Slides were Sure Print G3 Agilent 8x60K Mouse (G4852A-028005)

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

SUBMITTER: Juan Oliveros 

PROVIDER: E-GEOD-59185 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress