A recombinant Getah Virus expressing a GFP gene for rapid neutralization testing and antiviral drug screening assay

Abstract

Getah virus (GETV) is a re-emerging mosquito-borne RNA virus that induces fever, hind limb edema, swollen submandibular lymph nodes, and urticaria in horses. In pigs, the virus often results in stillbirths among pregnant sows, and neurological symptoms leading to death in piglets. Currently, there are no specific treatments or drugs available for GETV infection. The use of reporter viruses to monitor viral replication and spread in real-time within infected cells and animals provides a powerful tool for targeting antiviral drugs throughout the viral life cycle. Their fluorescence-tracked characteristics greatly facilitate virus neutralization tests (VNTs). In this study, we engineered two recombinant viruses by inserting different reporter protein genes at the 3′ end of the structural protein gene, an unreported location that can accommodate exogenous genes. The rGEEiLOV and rGEEGFP viruses demonstrated genetic stability for at least five passages and replicated at a rate similar to that of the parental virus in BHK-21 cells. The rGEEGFP virus facilitated viral neutralization testing. Additionally, we used the reporter virus rGEEGFP to confirm ivermectin, a broad-spectrum antiparasitic agent, as a potential inhibitor of GETV in vitro. Ivermectin appears to inhibit the early replication stages of the virus and can block cell-to-cell viral transmission. In conclusion, rGEEGFP holds significant potential for antiviral screening to identify specific inhibitors against GETV and for use in viral neutralization tests.