“Genetically Engineered Calf with Immunity to Bovine Viral Diarrhea: A Breakthrough in Livestock Industry”

2023-05-11 06:51:38

Bovine viral diarrhea disease (BVD) causes diarrhea, fever, mouth ulcers, pneumonia, and even death.
Genetically engineered calf ‘Ginger’ has strong immunity to BVDV
Prevention measures such as spreading awareness of BVDV and making vaccination mandatory are also needed in Korea.

A genetically engineered calf with immunity to bovine viral diarrhea has been born in the United States. This study opens the possibility of discussing genetic manipulation as an alternative to the use of antibiotics or antimicrobials in the livestock industry.

Brian Vander Ley, professor of veterinary medicine at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Ginger, a gene-editing cow / Source: Science X, Journal of the American Chemical Society

According to a paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS Nexus) on the 9th, the research team led by Professor Brian Bender Ray at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln developed a calf with immunity to bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection through gene editing. production was successful.

BVDV is classified as a pestivirus that causes economically important livestock diseases such as swine cholera virus. After an incubation period of 3 to 5 days, infected cattle can develop severe diseases such as acute diarrhea, high fever, mouth ulcers, and pneumonia, and in severe cases, death.

In particular, infection of pregnant cattle leads to infection of the fetus, increasing the rate of miscarriage or deformity. Calves that survive the placenta and are born also become carriers of persistent infection (PI) and shed the virus throughout their lives to infect other cows. In this case, because the calf looks normal on the outside, the response may be delayed and the damage may increase.

According to the research team, the BVDV vaccine, which has been implemented by the livestock industry since the 1960s, has limitations in perfect control due to the nature of the virus, which spreads quickly and mutates easily. Since there is currently no clear treatment drug, it may be more difficult to respond to the appearance of a malignant strain.

in MDBK cells <em>CD46</em> A <sub>82</sub> LPTFS <sub>87</sub> Substitution <em>CD46</em> Comparison of gene deletion / Photo source – PNAS Nexus” src=”<figcaption>in MDBK cells <em>CD46</em> A <sub>82</sub> LPTFS <sub>87</sub> Substitution <em>CD46</em> Comparison of gene deletions / Photo source – PNAS Nexus</figcaption></figure>
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<p>The team changed a few amino acids that make them susceptible to BVDV, but left CD46 untouched.</p>
<p>CD46 plays a role in fine-tuning the cellular immune response by regulating the inflammatory response by T cells and linking innate and acquired immunity.  However, it is a water-soluble molecule that promotes entry of the virus after binding to BVDV.</p>
<p>By leaving CD46 alone, the research team was able to achieve their goal of maintaining all normal bovine functions.</p>
<p>In fact, the genetically engineered calf ‘Ginger’ they gave birth showed a normal and healthy appearance without any side effects until he was 20 months old.  In a follow-up study, Professor Bender Ray reported the need for cloning of other varieties in addition to Gir, a variety of ginger.  In addition, when Ginger becomes pregnant, the fetus is monitored and research is conducted.</p>
<p>Prof. Bender Ray and Michael Heaton of the United States Livestock Research Center (USMARC) said that the genetically engineered approach would eliminate the use of antimicrobials in the future and thus eliminate the need to deal with antimicrobial resistance.  He also hopes that eliminating the cause of the virus will bring cost savings to livestock farmers for vaccines.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, in January of last year, the Livestock Economics Newspaper raised concerns about the fact that while BVDV is a disease subject to reporting by the <a data-ail=World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), it is not designated as one of the three statutory livestock infectious diseases in Korea, so there is no analysis on the extent of damage.

In particular, in the case of general farm households, symptoms are not revealed on the surface due to persistent infection, so understanding is low, and vaccination is not compulsory, so damage from BVDV infection is rapidly increasing.

In Korea, it is judged that it is urgent to spread information about BVDV and prevent it.

Chemical News Reporter Park Chan-seo

Chemistry is everywhere. © Chemical News Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited

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