Work

Transcriptomic analysis of Crandell-Rees feline kidney cell infections with field and vaccine feline calicivirus strains

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: • FCV infections in CRFK cells show the effects of strain virulence on host responses • Field and vaccine strains upregulated inflammatory genes, such as TNF-α and SELE • PI3K pathway inhibitors were downregulated during FCV infection • Interleukin and histone genes were differentially expressed between FCV strains • CRFK cells are relevant in vitro models to study FCV pathogenesis and host response Feline upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) is a significant health concern in crowded environments, such as catteries and shelters. Feline calicivirus (FCV), which is endemic in domestic cats, is a major contributor to URTD and can cause a range of diseases that vary in severity. Unlike many other caliciviruses, including human caliciviruses and noroviruses, FCV replicates efficiently in cell culture and is a well-established model for studying calicivirus-host cell interactions. In this study, RNA-sequencing was used to characterise host and viral transcription profiles in Crandell-Rees feline kidney (CRFK) cells infected with either the attenuated F9 vaccine strain or a virulent field strain associated with virulent systemic FCV (VS-FCV) disease. At six hours post-infection, both strains induced the upregulation of inflammatory and stress response pathways, while genes involved in metabolism, cell signalling, and extracellular matrix maintenance were downregulated. Between field and vaccine strains, pathways related to membrane signalling and cytoskeletal organisation were uniquely altered in the field strain, while the F9 vaccine strain distinctly altered chromatin organisation, cytokine signalling and mitochondrial metabolism. These findings demonstrate the virulence of FCV strains differentially influences host gene expression in CRFK cells, which may inform host-pathogen interactions that contribute to FCV pathogenesis and variations in disease outcomes.

Source: Virus Research

DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2025.199681

Authors: Emily Kwan, Alistair R. Legione, Carol A. Hartley, Joanne M. Devlin

Institution: The University of Melbourne

Language: English

Topic: Animal Virus Infections Studies

Subfield: Animal Science and Zoology

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,010