Gene Editing Offers Dual Protection Against PRV and PRRSV

A research team from Northwest A&F University and partners examined the effectiveness of a recombinant Pseudorabies Virus (PRV) in addressing challenges posed by Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) and PRV in the pig industry. The findings provide significant insights into the development of vaccines and future prevention and control of NADC30-like PRRSV and PRV.

The emergence of NADC30-like PRRSV strain and PRV variants resistant to conventional vaccines calls for alternative methods to address PRRSV and PRV. In this study, the researchers used gene editing to construct recombinant PRVs by deleting virulence and nonessential genes (TK, gl, and gE) and inserting GM-CSF and NADC30-like PRRSV GP3 and GP5 proteins. The recombinant PRVs elicited strong immune responses in both mice and piglets.

A total of six recombinant PRVs expressing GMCSF-GP3-GP5 were generated using the HDR-CRISPR-Cas9 system. The results showed that the booster immunization in piglets significantly increased anti-gB and GP5 antibodies, cytokine secretion, and lymphocyte proliferation. The study showed notable clinical improvements, with milder respiratory symptoms, lower viral loads, and better histopathological examination results.

For more information, read the study from Transboundary and Emerging Diseases.