Construction of the system to analyze vaccine and drug efficacy using recombinant HSV carrying B virus genes, and analysis of neuropathogenicity

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K05967
• 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: National Institute of Infectious Diseases
• Principal Investigator: Yamada Souichi 国立感染症研究所, ウイルス第一部, 主任研究官 (10514119)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: ヘルペスウイルス / Bウイルス / 薬剤耐性

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We constructed recombinant HSV-1/BVTK carrying the TK gene of B virus. In the presence of drugs (ACV), we isolated in dozens of clones that were less-susceptiblity to ACV. We sequenced the TK gene and DNApoly gene involved in drug resistance in an attempt to identify the site of mutation of the genes involved in drug resistance in the genomes of these clones, and found that no mutation was detected in the BVTK gene in all of the ACV-resistant HSV-1/BVTK clones, and only the DNApoly gene. This suggests that BV is unlikely to acquire resistance to ACV administration due to TK mutations. In addition, a system that allows drug susceptibility test with BSL2 was established by using BVTK-recombinant HSV-1.

Free Research Field

ウイルス学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

Bウイルスは、ヒトに感染すると致死的な神経症状を引き起こすことがある。これまで稀な感染症と認識されていたが、近年、日本や中国でBウイルス症例が相次いで報告された。BウイルスはBSL4施設での取り扱いが必要なため、その研究は進んでいない。今回、薬剤に対する感受性評価をBSL2レベルで行える系を構築し、更にアシクロビルに対するBVの薬剤耐性機序の解析を行った。本研究成果は、ヒトに重篤な神経症状を引き起こすBウイルスに対する抗ウイルス薬の開発を容易にし、Bウイルス病治療に貢献できる。