ARS | Publication request: BVD virus infection alters global transcription profiles in bovine endothelial cells

Submitted to: International Symposium on Animal Genomics for Animal Health
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: May 1, 2007
Publication Date: October 23, 2007
Citation: Neill, J.D., Zuerner, R.L., Ridpath, J.F. 2007. BVD virus infection alters global transcription profiles in bovine endothelial cells [abstract]. International Symposium on Animal Genomics for Animal Health. Paper No. SA-020. p. 15.

Technical Abstract: Bovine viral diarrhea viruses (BVDV) are a significant pathogens of cattle worldwide. These viruses exist in both non-cytopathic or cytopathic biotypes. Non-cytopathic BVDV can establish persistent lifelong infections in cattle and are a frequent contaminant of biological reagents such as cell cultures and fetal bovine serum. We discovered commercially available bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) that were contaminated with BVDV, either due to preparation of the primary culture from tissue of an infected animal, or subsequent contamination through exposure to contaminated fetal bovine sera. To determine if BVDV alters endothelial gene transcription patterns, we used serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) to compare gene expression profiles from uninfected and BVDV contaminated BAEC. SAGE is an open ended, quantitative method for characterizing global patterns of transcription. Comparison of expression profiles of BVDV-contaminated and noninfected cells revealed significant increases in the transcription of many genes including P-selectin, tryptophan tRNA synthetase and prostaglandin D2 synthase. These changes were validated by real-time PCR. These results indicate that gene transcription in BAEC is altered as a result of chronic BVDV infection. These changes give clues as to the effect the BVDV infection may have on the function of theses cells. BAEC cells are commonly used as a model to study endothelial cell function in many different systems. As shown here, transcriptional, and presumably biological changes as a result of BVDV infection significantly alter cellular responses, and may have a profound impact on experimental outcome.