Severe acute respiratory syndrome is a life-threatening human illness characterized by mortality rates exceeding 50% in the elderly. The SARS coronavirus contains a approximately 30Kb single-stranded, positive polarity RNA genome. The availability of a full-length infectious cDNA of the SARS genome would not only provide complete genetic control over the virus, but allow for rational design of live viruses as candidate vaccines. Consequently, we believe that a SARS reverse genetic system must rank near the top of the priorities for controlling this important human pathogen. We are the only group in the US to have successfully assembled full-length infectious cDNAs of the coronaviruses, mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) and transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) and have demonstrated that these full length constructs provide novel opportunities for studying the genetics of coronavirus replication and pathogenesis.
In aim 1, we will develop a full length SARS cDNA clone and compare the phenotype of rescued molecular cloned viruses with wildtype using biochemical assays and macaque challenge experiments.
In Aim 2, we will develop high titer SARS single hit replicons for use as expression vectors and vaccines.
In aim 3, we will select for SARS host range mutants that replicate in murine cells, identify the mechanism of SARS cross species transmission using reverse genetic approaches and evaluate the pathogenicity of these viruses in rodents and non human primates. The goal of this application is to establish genetic control over the SARS genome and provide uniform reagents that will be used by other groups throughout the country.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI059136-03
Application #
7015583
Study Section
Virology Study Section (VR)
Program Officer
Cassels, Frederick J
Project Start
2004-02-15
Project End
2009-01-31
Budget Start
2006-02-01
Budget End
2007-01-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$285,138
Indirect Cost
Name
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Department
Public Health & Prev Medicine
Type
Schools of Public Health
DUNS #
608195277
City
Chapel Hill
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27599
Freundt, Eric C; Yu, Li; Goldsmith, Cynthia S et al. (2010) The open reading frame 3a protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus promotes membrane rearrangement and cell death. J Virol 84:1097-109
Rockx, Barry; Donaldson, Eric; Frieman, Matthew et al. (2010) Escape from human monoclonal antibody neutralization affects in vitro and in vivo fitness of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. J Infect Dis 201:946-55
Miknis, Zachary J; Donaldson, Eric F; Umland, Timothy C et al. (2009) Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus nsp9 dimerization is essential for efficient viral growth. J Virol 83:3007-18
Rockx, Barry; Baas, Tracey; Zornetzer, Gregory A et al. (2009) Early upregulation of acute respiratory distress syndrome-associated cytokines promotes lethal disease in an aged-mouse model of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection. J Virol 83:7062-74
Sims, Amy C; Burkett, Susan E; Yount, Boyd et al. (2008) SARS-CoV replication and pathogenesis in an in vitro model of the human conducting airway epithelium. Virus Res 133:33-44
Sheahan, Timothy; Rockx, Barry; Donaldson, Eric et al. (2008) Pathways of cross-species transmission of synthetically reconstructed zoonotic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. J Virol 82:8721-32
Rockx, Barry; Corti, Davide; Donaldson, Eric et al. (2008) Structural basis for potent cross-neutralizing human monoclonal antibody protection against lethal human and zoonotic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus challenge. J Virol 82:3220-35
Sheahan, Timothy; Rockx, Barry; Donaldson, Eric et al. (2008) Mechanisms of zoonotic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus host range expansion in human airway epithelium. J Virol 82:2274-85
Lamirande, Elaine W; DeDiego, Marta L; Roberts, Anjeanette et al. (2008) A live attenuated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus is immunogenic and efficacious in golden Syrian hamsters. J Virol 82:7721-4
Enjuanes, Luis; Dediego, Marta L; Alvarez, Enrique et al. (2008) Vaccines to prevent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-induced disease. Virus Res 133:45-62

Showing the most recent 10 out of 23 publications