Japanese encephalitis virus restricts HMGB1 expression to maintain MAPK pathway activation for viral replication

Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews (RGC: 21, 22, 62)21_Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

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Author(s)

  • Jinchao Xing
  • Jiaqi Liang
  • Shukai Liu
  • Pingsheng Hu
  • Lele Liu
  • Ming Liao
  • Wenbao Qi

Related Research Unit(s)

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Article number109237
Journal / PublicationVeterinary Microbiology
Volume262
Online published20 Sept 2021
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2021

Abstract

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a typical insect-borne flavivirus and an important zoonotic pathogen that causes human viral encephalitis and reproductive failure in pigs. Various strategies were utilized by JEV to facilitate its replication. It is important to identify key molecules that mediate JEV infection, as well as to investigate their underlying mechanism. In this study, the critical role of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a non-histone, DNA-binding protein, was assessed in JEV propagation. Upon JEV infection, the HMGB1 mRNA and protein levels were down-regulated at late infection in Huh7 cells. JEV replication was significantly enhanced with HMGB1 knock-down by siRNA and knock-out by the CRISPR/Cas9 system, whereas JEV growth was restricted in HMGB1-over-expressed Huh7 cells. Further investigation showed that HMGB1 suppressed MAPK pathway, and demonstrated that the weakening of MAPK pathway negatively regulated JEV infection. Together, these results suggested that JEV restricted HMGB1 expression to maintain MAPK pathway activation for viral replication. Our data showed that HMGB1 played a key role in JEV infection, providing the potential for the development of a novel drug to combat JEV infection.

Research Area(s)

  • HMGB1, Japanese encephalitis virus, MAPK pathway, Viral replication

Citation Format(s)

Japanese encephalitis virus restricts HMGB1 expression to maintain MAPK pathway activation for viral replication. / Xing, Jinchao; Liang, Jiaqi; Liu, Shukai et al.
In: Veterinary Microbiology, Vol. 262, 109237, 11.2021.

Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews (RGC: 21, 22, 62)21_Publication in refereed journalpeer-review