Identification and characterization of F17: a novel subviral agent that depends on dengue virus

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2014-08

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University of Hawaii at Manoa

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Dengue is the most important arboviral disease of humans. It is estimated that over 40% of the world's population are at risk of dengue. In recent years, a resurgence of dengue virus has been seen with increased incidences and a wider geographical distribution. Dengue is spread to humans through the bite of an infected female Aedes mosquito. There is currently no vaccine or specific drug treatment for dengue. In this study, we identified and partially characterized a subviral agent of dengue virus, which we designated as F17. This is the first report of a subviral agent of dengue virus. F17's genome is positive-sense and single-stranded RNA and may encode a capsid protein but the viral particle is unenveloped. F17 was found to replicate efficiently in C6/36 Ae. albopictus and ATC-10 Ae. aegypti cell lines and like many subviral agents, it was found to interfere with its helper virus' replication. In C6/36 cells, the presence of F17 had an enhancing effect and an increase in dengue virus replication was observed. Interestingly, in human U937 DC-SIGN cells, F17 was found to have an inhibitory effect on dengue virus replication. Furthermore, in Vero cells, F17 inhibits dengue virus plaque formation. This is the first report of a subviral agent of dengue virus and one of a few reported outside of plants. Although arthropod-borne diseases are a major contributor to the burden caused by infectious diseases worldwide, little remains known about the virus-vector-host interactions. The transmission of dengue virus to humans is dependent on a mosquito vector and vector control remains the primary means of preventing vector-borne diseases. F17 was found to increase dengue virus replication in humans and this may have implications in the transmission of dengue virus. The relationship between dengue virus and its subviral agent may also provide insights into the pathogenesis of dengue.

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Dengue viruses, Dengue--Epidemiology

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Theses for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (University of Hawaii at Manoa). Microbiology.

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