Author
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Lunney, Joan |
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CHEN, HONBO - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA) |
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Submitted to: Virus Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 8/13/2010 Publication Date: 8/13/2010 Citation: Lunney, J.K., Chen, H. 2010. Genetic control of host resistance to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection. Virus Research. 154:161-169. Interpretive Summary: This review focuses on the advances made using genomic approaches to identify biomarkers that define genes and pathways that are correlated with swine resistance to infection with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), the most economically important swine viral pathogen worldwide. International efforts are underway to assess resistance and susceptibility to infectious pathogens using modern genomic tools such as gene arrays, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) chips, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), proteomics, and advanced bioinformatics. The review discusses results from different studies and the results to date aiming to identify new candidate genes and biological pathways associated with host PRRS resistance and alternate viral disease processes and mechanisms. These studies should unveil biomarkers that account for genetic control of PRRS or, alternately, that reveal new targets for therapeutics or vaccines. As discussed, previous genomic approaches have expanded our understanding of quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling traits of economic importance in pig production, e.g., feed efficiency, meat production, leanness, and reproduction; only recently have these included health traits and disease resistance. Thus, genomic studies should have substantial impact for the pig industry since it is now possible to include the use of biomarkers for basic health traits alongside broader set of markers utilized for selection of pigs for improved performance and reproductive traits, as well as pork quality. Thus the review notes how these studies may reveal alternate PRRSV control mechanisms and their utility in probing for novel approaches for developing drugs, biotherapeutics and vaccines to prevent and control PRRS. Technical Abstract: This manuscript focuses on the advances made using genomic approaches to identify biomarkers that define genes and pathways that are correlated with swine resistance to infection with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), the most economically important swine viral pathogen worldwide. International efforts are underway to assess resistance and susceptibility to infectious pathogens using tools such as gene arrays, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) chips, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), proteomics, and advanced bioinformatics. These studies should identify new candidate genes and biological pathways associated with host PRRS resistance and alternate viral disease processes and mechanisms; they may unveil biomarkers that account for genetic control of PRRS or, alternately, that reveal new targets for therapeutics or vaccines. Previous genomic approaches have expanded our understanding of quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling traits of economic importance in pig production, e.g., feed efficiency, meat production, leanness, and reproduction; only recently have these included health traits and disease resistance. Genomic studies should have substantial impact for the pig industry since it is now possible to include the use of biomarkers for basic health traits alongside broader set of markers utilized for selection of pigs for improved performance and reproductive traits, as well as pork quality. Additionally these studies may reveal alternate PRRSV control mechanisms that can be exploited for novel drugs, biotherapeutics and vaccine designs. |
