Pigs invulnerable to respiratory viruses have been created
Scientists from the Roslin Institute have created genetically modified pigs that are resistant to PRRSV viruses that cause reproductive and respiratory syndrome. This is reported by the publication Gizmodo (Genetically Engineered Super Pigs Could Make Your Bacon Better).
In their work, the researchers used CRISPR/Cas9 technology. With it, they removed part of the gene that plays a key role in the penetration of PRRSV into cells. DNA editing was carried out at the initial stage of embryo development. A genetic cassette encoding the Cas9 protein and its guide RNA (sdRNA) was injected into the zygote (fertilized egg), after which the latter was transplanted to sows.
The analysis showed that the cells of the born piglets were immune to the main strains of the PRRSV virus. The animals lacked CD163 protein, which is normally found on the surface of macrophage immune cells. It has been shown that pigs with mutations in the gene encoding the protein do not suffer from reproductive and respiratory syndrome.
CRISPR/Cas9 is a complex of molecules with which scientists cut DNA in a certain place. Cas9 acts as a pair of scissors, and the SRNA, connecting with the nucleic acid on the principle of complementarity, indicates to the protein the site in which it is necessary to make a break.
Reproductive and respiratory syndrome in pigs is characterized by short periods of loss of appetite, fever, cough, spontaneous abortions and the birth of non-viable offspring.
Article by Burkard et al. Precision engineering for PRRSV resistance in pigs: Macrophages from genome edited pigs lacking CD163 SRCR5 domain are fully resistant to both PRRSV genotypes while maintaining biological function published in the journal PLOS Pathogens – VM.
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01.03.2017