The role of incomplete viral RNA in persistent feline morbillivirus infection.

2024 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K14999
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 42020:Veterinary medical science-related
• Research Institution: Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University
• Principal Investigator: Sakaguchi Shoichi 大阪医科薬科大学, 医学部, 助教 (20815279)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-04-01 – 2025-03-31
• Keywords: ネコモルビリウイルス / RNA依存性RNAポリメラーゼ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We investigated how feline morbillivirus, which infects the kidneys of cats, can persist in the body over time by focusing on incomplete forms of viral RNA. Using next-generation sequencing, we thoroughly analyzed the RNA and identified a wide variety of previously undetected incomplete viral RNAs. Notably, some of these RNAs were found in infected cells during both the acute and chronic phases of infection. These findings suggest that certain incomplete RNAs may play a role in maintaining long-term viral persistence. Future research will explore how these RNAs influence viral replication and host responses, which may ultimately contribute to understanding disease mechanisms and developing new treatment strategies.

Free Research Field

獣医ウイルス学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

ネコモルビリウイルスはネコの慢性腎疾患との関連が疑われており、その病態解明は動物福祉の観点からも重要である。本研究によって、持続感染を維持するウイルス側因子が明らかになれば、ウイルス性腎疾患に対する新たな診断・治療法の開発につながる可能性がある。さらに、不完全ウイルスRNAの理解は、他の慢性感染ウイルス（例：麻疹ウイルスなど）への応用も期待され、人獣共通感染症への対応強化にも貢献し得る。