generating-recombinant-avian-herpesvirus-vectors-with-crisprcas9-gene

Generating Recombinant Avian Herpesvirus Vectors with CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing

Herpesvirus of turkeys (HVT) is an ideal viral vector for the generation of recombinant vaccines against a number of avian diseases, such as avian ...

The Pirbright Institute & UK-China Centre of Excellence for Research on Avian Diseases

Several studies have shown that microRNA-targeting is an effective strategy for the selective control of tissue-tropism and pathogenesis of both DNA and RNA viruses. However, the exploitation of microRNA-targeting for the inhibition of transformation by oncogenic viruses has not been studied. The v- oncoprotein encoded by reticuloendotheliosis virus T strain (Rev-T) is a member of the /NF-&kappa;B family of transcription factors capable of transforming primary chicken spleen and bone marrow cells. Here, by engineering the target sequence of endogenous microRNA miR-142 downstream of the v- gene in a Replication-Competent ALV (avian leukosis virus) long terminal repeat (LTR) with a splice acceptor (RCAS) vector and using a v--induced transformation model of chicken embryonic splenocyte cultures, we show that hematopoietic-specific miR-142 can inhibit the v--induced transformation, and that this inhibition effect is due to the silencing of v- expression. The data supports the idea that microRNA-targeting can be used to inhibit viral oncogene-induced oncogenesis.

Miriam Pedrera

The Pirbright Institute & UK-China Centre of Excellence for Research on Avian Diseases

Generating Recombinant Avian Herpesvirus Vectors with CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing