Bluetongue virus exploits bacteria and their components in natural ruminant target host cells

This is a Pirbright Institute and Roslin Institute joint PhD studentship with the overarching aim to determine if bacterial components enhance infection of Bluetongue virus (BTV) in natural ruminant target cells such as mononuclear phagocytotic cells.

Bluetongue Virus is transmitted by the biting midge and it is suggested that components of the midge saliva, including bacteria and their compounds, may enhance uptake into the bovine host allowing disease transmission.

The project will assess BTV interactions with skin draining cells using the surgical model developed in the VACCINE project, and interactions with other myeloid cells.

Team members: Megan Cole

Team partners: Karin Darpel at the Pirbright Institute

Key references: 

Erickson, A. K., Jesudhasan, P. R., Mayer, M. J., Narbad, A., Winter, S. E., & Pfeiffer, J. K. (2018). Bacteria Facilitate Enteric Virus Co-infection of Mammalian Cells and Promote Genetic Recombination. Cell Host Microb. 23(1), 77–88.e5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chom.2017.11.007

Roth, A. N., Grau, K. R., & Karst, S. M. (2019). Diverse Mechanisms Underlie Enhancement of Enteric Viruses by the Mammalian Intestinal Microbiota. Viruses, 11(8), 760. https://doi.org/10.3390/v11080760

Darpel, K. E., Langner, K. F., Nimtz, M., Anthony, S. J., Brownlie, J., Takamatsu, H. H., Mellor, P. S., & Mertens, P. P. (2011). Saliva proteins of vector Culicoides modify structure and infectivity of bluetongue virus particles. PloS One, 6(3), e17545. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0017545