A Wide-Ranging Antiviral Response in Wild Boar Cells Is Triggered by Non-coding Synthetic RNAs From the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Genome

Abstract

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) is the causative agent of a highly contagious viral disease that affects multiple cloven-hooved hosts including important livestock (pigs, cattle, sheep and goats) as well as several wild animal species. Crossover of FMDV between domestic and wildlife populations may prolong virus circulation during outbreaks. The wild boar (Sus scrofa) is considered a reservoir of various pathogens that can infect other wildlife, domestic animals, and humans. As wild boar and domestic pigs are susceptible to the same pathogens and can infect each other, infected wild boar populations may represent a threat to the pig industry and to international trade. The ncRNAs are synthetic non-coding RNA transcripts, mimicking structural domains in the FMDV genome, known to exert a broad-spectrum antiviral and immunomodulatory effect in swine, bovine and mice cells. Here, we show the type I interferon-dependent, robust and broad range antiviral activity induced by the ncRNAs in a cell line derived from wild boar lung cells (WSL). Transfection of WSL cells with the ncRNAs exerted a protective effect against infection with FMDV, vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), swine vesicular disease virus (SVDV) and African swine fever virus (ASFV). Our results prove the biological activity of the ncRNAs in cells of an FMDV wild animal host species against a variety of viruses affecting pigs, including relevant viral pathogens of epizootic risk.

Non-coding RNAs derived from the foot-and-mouth disease virus genome trigger broad antiviral activity against coronaviruses

“…Their sequence and structure triggered an antiviral state in mice able to prevent viral spread and disease after infection with FMDV ( Picornaviridae ) ( 12 ), West Nile virus ( Flaviviridae ) ( 13 ) and Rift Valley fever virus ( Phenuiviridae ) ( 14 ). We have also recently shown the antiviral activity of the ncRNAs against a complex DNA virus, African swine fever (ASFV, Asfarviridae ) ( 15 ). The immunomodulatory role of these molecules has been assayed in co-administration with a conventional inactivated FMD vaccine.…”