Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) poses a global challenge for the swine industry. With repercussions like reproductive failures in sows and severe respiratory illnesses in pigs, this virus is more than just a fleeting concern. The financial implications are profound, draining the U.S. swine sector of roughly $1.1 billion annually.
Acknowledging the gravity of the issue, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded a $627,000 grant to two esteemed scientists from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Hiep Vu, an associate professor of animal science, and Sarah Sillman, an assistant professor associated with Nebraska's School of Veterinary Medicine, will spearhead the three-year research project.
Researchers are studying how PRRSV infects swine macrophages, immune cells that defend against harmful invaders. By preventing virus entry, they can potentially halt viral infections. Identifying specific cells and virus intrusion methods can lead to powerful vaccines and strategies to mitigate the virus's spread.
Vu has identified a PRRSV variant with a small genome change, causing it to infect swine macrophages but efficiently invade MARC-145 monkey cell line. Understanding this difference could help develop a potent vaccine and potentially create PRRSV-resistant pigs through genetic modifications.
Husker faculty's multidisciplinary teamwork, with Sillman's veterinary pathology expertise and Vu's molecular virology expertise, offers a holistic approach to studying PRRSV. Vu's publications involve collaboration with the Diagnostic Center.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture supports this trailblazing research.
Photo Credit: istock-srdjan-stepic
Categories: Nebraska, Livestock, Hogs