miR-204 suppresses porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus(PRRSV)replication via inhibiting LC3B-mediated autophagy

摘要

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome(PRRS)caused by PRRS virus(PRRSV)has been regarded as a persistent challenge for the swine farms worldwide.microRNAs(miRNAs)play key roles in regulating almost every important biological process,including virus-host interaction.In this study,we found that miR-204 was highly expressed in cells that were not permissive to PRRSV infection compared with cells susceptible to PRRSV infection.Subsequently,we demonstrated that overexpression of miR-204 significantly inhibited PRRSV replication in porcine alveolar macrophages(PAMs).Through bioinformatic analysis,we found that there existed a potential binding site of miR-204 on the 30UTR of microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3B(MAP1LC3B,LC3B),a hallmark of autophagy.Applying experiments including luciferase reporter assay and UV cross-linking and immunoprecipitation(CLIP)assay,we demonstrated that miR-204 directly targeted LC3B,thereby downregulating autophagy.Meanwhile,we investigated the interplay between autophagy and PRRSV replication in PAMs,confirming that PRRSV infection induces autophagy,which in turn facilitates viral replication.Overall,we verify that miR-204 suppresses PRRSV replication via inhibiting LC3B-mediated autophagy in PAMs.These findings will provide a novel potential approach for us to develop antiviral therapeutic agents and controlling measures for future PRRSV outbreaks.