Interferon-Induced Transmembrane Protein 3 Is a Virus-Associated Protein Which Suppresses Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Replication by Blocking Viral Membrane Fusion

作者：Angke Zhang, Hong Duan, Huijun Zhao, Huancheng Liao, Yongkun Du, Liangliang Li, Dawei Jiang, Bo Wan, Yanan Wu, Pengchao Ji, En‐Min Zhou, Gaiping Zhang · 发表于：Journal of Virology · 年份：2020 · DOI：10.1128/jvi.01350-20 · 被引用次数：40 · 研究领域：Animal Virus Infections Studies、Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology、Virus-based gene therapy research

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), which is caused by PRRS virus (PRRSV), is of great economic significance to the swine industry. Due to the complicated immune escape mechanisms of PRRSV, there are no effective vaccines or therapeutic drugs currently available against PRRS. Identification of cellular factors and underlying mechanisms that establish an effective antiviral state against PRRSV can provide unique strategies for developing antiviral vaccines or drugs. As an interferon (IFN)-stimulated gene, the role of IFN-induced transmembrane 3 (IFITM3) in PRRSV infection has not been reported as of yet. In the present study, it was shown that IFITM3 can exert a potent anti-PRRSV effect, and PRRS virions are trafficked to IFITM3-containing cell vesicles, where viral membrane fusion is impaired by cholesterol accumulation that is induced by IFITM3. Additionally, both endogenous and exogenous IFITM3 are incorporated into newly assembled progeny virions, and this decreased their intrinsic infectivity.