Recently, Journal of Virology, an authoritative international journal of Virology, has published two papers on the latest findings in JEV( Japanese encephalitis virus) replication and JEV-induced inflammatory response. The first authors of the two papers are Chen Zheng, a doctoral student and Ashraf Usama, a master student. Prof. Cao Shengbo, the Professor from the College of Veterinary Medicine, is the corresponding author.
JEV is a hazardous mosquito-borne virus which is passed between humans and animals. It is listed as an epidemic disease that wreaks havoc on pig breeding, for it affects boar’s ability to procreate. What’s worse, once infected with the virus, people will contract encephalitis, with a high mortality and disability rate, which is recognized as the most severe viral encephalitis in Asia.
Prof. Cao’s team has been researching on the immunization and pathogenic mechanism of JEV. The research found that the host eEF-1α protein is the main target protein of miRNA-33a and plays a vital role in the replication of JEV. Having been inspired by the findings, the team has discovered a new mechanism: JEV down-regulates the expression of miRNA-33a so as to positively regulate its own replication through the enhanced interaction between JEV NS3 and NS5.
On top of that, the team also found that JEV can activate transcription factor CREB and c-Rel and regulate the expression of miRNA-15b through RIG-I-ERK signal channel, then miRNA-15b regulates JEV-induced inflammatory response through target RNF125. Therefore, the inhibition of the expression of miRNA-15b is highly effective in the treatment of viral encephalitis. The study provides important scientific basis for elucidating pathogenic mechanism of JEV, discovering a new target for JEV treatment and securing new treatments for viral encephalitis .
It’s reported that Prof. Cao’s team has made significant progress in the immunization and pathogenic mechanism of JEV and published papers on journals of Immunology and Virology. The study obtains sponsorship from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, HZAU Independent Innovation Fund and etc.
(By Li Borui)
http://news.hzau.edu.cn/2016/0310/44803.shtml
