The use of cells from ANPEP knockout pigs to evaluate the role of aminopeptidase N (APN) as a receptor for porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV)

Virology. 2020 Feb:541:136-140. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2019.12.007. Epub 2019 Dec 24.

Abstract

The coronaviruses, porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), and porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) represent important sources of neonatal diarrhea on pig farms. The requirement for aminopeptidase N (APN) as a receptor for TGEV, but not for PEDV, is well established. In this study, the biological relevance of APN as a receptor for PDCoV was tested by using CRISPR/Cas9 to knockout the APN gene, ANPEP, in pigs. Porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs) from ANPEP knockout (KO) pigs showed resistance to PDCoV infection. However, lung fibroblast-like cells, derived from the ANPEP KO PAM cultures, supported PDCoV infection to high levels. The results suggest that APN is a receptor for PDCoV in PAMs but is not necessary for infection of lung-derived fibroblast cells. The infection of the ANPEP KO pigs with PDCoV further confirmed that APN is dispensable as a receptor for PDCoV.

Keywords: ANPEP; APN; Aminopeptidase N; CD13; CRISPR; Porcine deltacoronavirus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD13 Antigens / genetics
  • CD13 Antigens / physiology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / etiology*
  • Gastroenteritis, Transmissible, of Swine / etiology
  • Gene Knockout Techniques
  • Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus / physiology
  • Receptors, Virus / physiology*
  • Swine
  • Swine Diseases / etiology*

Substances

  • Receptors, Virus
  • CD13 Antigens