Abstract Details
Name
Mechanisms of dsRNA-Mediated Antiviral Immunity in a Comparative Model
Presenter
Meghan Soares, Wilfrid Laurier University
Co-Author(s)
Meghan J. Soares (1), Janet Velázquez (1,2) and Stephanie J DeWitte-Orr (1,2). (1) Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON, Canada. (2) Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
Abstract Category
Fighting & Responding
Abstract
Aquaculture plays a vital role in society as a substantial food source and supporting our economy. Within aquaculture, viral infections such as viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) pose significant threats to farmed fish health. VHSV is largely associated with rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and leads to extreme mortality rates due to its infectivity rates. With fish virology being an underdeveloped area of study, a more thorough understanding of the antiviral response is important to support advancements in fish antiviral therapeutics. Long double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), a nucleic acid produced by viruses, induces both type I interferon and RNA interference (RNAi) antiviral responses. In this study, we aim to investigate in vitro the antiviral response induced by different dsRNA molecules in rainbow trout. We are investigating the differences in type I interferon responses (kinetics and intensity of induction) induced by high and low molecular weight poly I:C, and in vitro transcribed VHSV-N specific dsRNA, in the rainbow trout Mx1 reporter cell line, RTG-P1. Additionally, dsRNA molecules containing Dicer recognition sequences are being tested for efficient cleavage by Dicer and assessed in vitro to evaluate their effectiveness to induce the RNAi pathway. Antiviral assays will further assess the effectiveness of these dsRNA molecules in inducing RNAi- or IFN-mediated protection against VHSV-IVa in RTG-P1 cells. These findings enhance our understanding of dsRNA-mediated responses in rainbow trout, supporting the development of fish antiviral therapeutics, which are crucial for aquaculture success.
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