A New Defective Helper RNA to Produce Recombinant Sindbis Virus that Infects Neurons but does not Propagate

Kebschull, J. M., Garcia da Silva, P., Zador, A. M. (May 2016) A New Defective Helper RNA to Produce Recombinant Sindbis Virus that Infects Neurons but does not Propagate. Front Neuroanat, 10. p. 56. ISSN 1662-5129 (Electronic)1662-5129 (Linking)

URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27252627
DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2016.00056

Abstract

Recombinant Sindbis viruses are important tools in neuroscience because they combine rapid and high transgene expression with a capacity to carry large transgenes. Currently, two packaging systems based on the defective helper (DH) RNAs DH(26S)5'SIN and DH-BB(tRNA;TE12) are available for generating recombinant Sindbis virus that is neurotropic (able to infect neurons and potentially other cells). Both systems produce a fraction of viral particles that can propagate beyond the primary infected neuron. When injected into mouse brain, viruses produced using these DH RNAs produce transgene expression at the injection site, but also elsewhere in the brain. Such ectopic labeling caused recombinant Sindbis viruses to be classified as anterograde viruses with limited retrograde spread, and can complicate the interpretation of neuroanatomical and other experiments. Here we describe a new DH RNA, DH-BB(5'SIN;TE12ORF), that can be used to produce virus that is both neurotropic and propagation-incompetent. We show in mice that DH-BB(5'SIN;TE12ORF)-packaged virus eliminates infection of cells outside the injection site. We also provide evidence that ectopically labeled cells observed in previous experiments with recombinant Sindbis virus resulted from secondary infection by propagation-competent virus, rather than from inefficient retrograde spread. Virus produced with our new packaging system retains all the advantages of previous recombinant Sindbis viruses, but minimizes the risks of confounding results with unwanted ectopic labeling. It should therefore be considered in future studies in which a neurotropic, recombinant Sindbis virus is needed.

Item Type: Paper
Uncontrolled Keywords: Sindbis virus defective helper RNAs neurotropism propagation competence viral tracing
Subjects: bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > DNA, RNA structure, function, modification > dhRNA
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > cell types and functions > cell types > neurons
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > cell types and functions > cell types > neurons
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > cell types and functions > cell types > neurons
organism description > virus > sindbis virus
Investigative techniques and equipment > viral tracing
CSHL Authors:
Communities: CSHL labs > Zador lab
School of Biological Sciences > Publications
Depositing User: Matt Covey
Date: 24 May 2016
Date Deposited: 10 Jun 2016 15:50
Last Modified: 10 Jun 2016 15:50
PMCID: PMC4877524
Related URLs:
URI: https://repository.cshl.edu/id/eprint/32827

Actions (login required)

Administrator's edit/view item Administrator's edit/view item
CSHL HomeAbout CSHLResearchEducationNews & FeaturesCampus & Public EventsCareersGiving