Gang Wang, Ying Yu, Xuehui Cai, En-Min Zhou, Jeffrey J.Zimmerman

Trends Microbiol. 2019 Nov 16. pii: S0966-842X(19)30264-1. doi: 10.1016/j.tim.2019.10.009

Abstract

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) dramatically affects the thymus and its ability to carry out its normal functions. In particular, infection incapacitates PRRSV-susceptible CD14pos antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in the thymus and throughout the body. PRRSV-induced autophagy in thymic epithelial cells modulates the development of T cells, and PRRSV-induced apoptosis in CD4posCD8posthymocytes modulates cellular immunity against PRRSV and other pathogens. Pigs are less able to resist and/or eliminate secondary infectious agents due the effect of PRRSV on the thymus, and this susceptibility phenomenon is long recognized as a primary characteristic of PRRSV infection.

Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

KEYWORDS:

PRRSV; immunomodulation; pathogenesis; thymus