Elucidation of the mechanism of pathogenicity of postnatal Akababe virus using genetic engineering technology

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K05924
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 42020:Veterinary medical science-related
• Research Institution: Gifu University
• Principal Investigator: Masatani Tatsunori 岐阜大学, 応用生物科学部, 准教授 (70614072)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 西山 祥子 岐阜大学, 応用生物科学部, 助教 (90817058)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: アカバネ病 / マウス / 病原性 / 神経系

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we obtained basic genetic information on postnatal AKAV by sequencing the whole genome of KM and FI strains of postnatal AKAV. We also established a new reverse genetics system for postnatal AKAV strains and demonstrated for the first time that postnatal AKAV strains exhibit neuropathogenicity independent of the NSs gene, a common virulence factor of orthobunyaviruses. Furthermore, we generated attenuated viruses by serial passaging in Vero cells, and were able to identify three amino acids involved in this attenuated viral strain.

Free Research Field

獣医病原生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

アカバネ病は, アカバネウイルス(AKAV)によるウシ等の反芻動物の節足動物媒介疾病であり, 時に成牛に神経症状を起こし甚大な被害をもたらす「生後感染型」と呼ばれる病型が存在する。本研究では、生後感染AKAVの神経病原性に関わるウイルス因子の特定を目指した。本課題で得られた知見は新規ワクチン開発だけでなく、生後感染型AKAVを特異的に識別する遺伝子マーカーになりうる。