Glycoprotein Erns of pestiviruses induces apoptosis in lymphocytes of several species.

AUTOR(ES)

Bruschke, C J

RESUMO

Classical swine fever virus and bovine virus diarrhea virus are members of the genus pestivirus, which belongs to the family of the Flaviviridae. Recently, envelope glycoprotein Erns was identified as an RNase. RNases can express different biological actions. They have been shown to be neurotoxic, antihelminthic, and immunosuppressive. We studied the immunosuppressive properties of Erns in vitro. The glycoprotein totally inhibited concanavalin A-induced proliferation of porcine, bovine, ovine, and human lymphocytes. We then studied the direct cytotoxic effects of Erns on lymphocytes and epithelial cells in protein synthesis assays. Erns strongly inhibited the protein synthesis of lymphocytes of different species, without cell membrane damage. This suggested an apoptotic process, and indeed apoptosis of lymphocytes was detected after incubation with Erns. Pestivirus infections are characterized by leukopenia and immunosuppression. Our results suggest that Erns plays an important role in the pathogenesis of pestiviruses.

Documentos Relacionados

• Asbestos induces apoptosis of human and rabbit pleural mesothelial cells via reactive oxygen species.
• Species specificity of cholecystokinin in gut and brain of several mammalian species.
• Non-universal decoding of the leucine codon CUG in several Candida species.
• Extracellular glycoprotein from virulent and avirulent Cryptococcus species.
• Identification of novel single-stranded d(TC)n binding proteins in several mammalian species.