Novel toscana virus reverse genetics system establishes NSS as an antagonist of type I interferon responses

The sand fly-borne Toscana virus (TOSV) is the major cause of human meningoencephalitis in the Mediterranean basin during the summer season. In this work, we have developed a T7 RNA polymerase-driven reverse genetics system to recover infectious particles of a lineage B strain of TOSV. The viral protein pattern and growth properties of the rescued virus (rTOSV) were found to be similar to those of the corresponding wild-type (wt) virus. Using this system, we genetically engineered a TOSV mutant lacking expression of the non-structural protein NSs (rTOSVϕNSs). Unlike rTOSV and the wt virus, rTOSVϕNSs was unable to (i) suppress interferon (IFN)-b messenger RNA induction; and (ii) grow efficiently in cells producing IFN-b. Together, our results highlight the importance of NSs for TOSV in evading the IFN response and provide a comprehensive toolbox to investigate the TOSV life cycle in mammalian and insect host cells, including several novel polyclonal antibodies.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Woelfl, Franziska, Léger, Psylvia, Oreshkova, Nadia, Pahmeier, Felix, Windhaber, Stefan, Koch, Jana, Stanifer, Megan, Sosa, Gleyder Roman, Uckeley, Zina M., Rey, Felix A., Boulant, Steeve, Kortekaas, Jeroen, Wichgers Schreur, Paul J., Lozach, Pierre Yves
Format:	Article/Letter to editor biblioteca
Language:	English
Subjects:	Arbovirus, Bunyavirales, Interferon, Neglected diseases, Phenuiviridae, Phlebovirus, Reverse genetics, Sand fly fever, Toscana virus,
Online Access:	https://research.wur.nl/en/publications/novel-toscana-virus-reverse-genetics-system-establishes-nss-as-an
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