Identification of CD163 regions that are required for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection but not for binding to viral envelope glycoproteins

CD163, a receptor for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), possesses nine scavenger receptor cysteine-rich (SRCR) and two proline-serine-threonine (PST) domains. To identify CD163 regions involved in PRRSV infection, CD163 mutants were generated. Infection experiments showed resistance to infection following deletion of the SRCR4/5 interdomain or the Exon 13 that encodes a portion of PSTII. The mutation of a pentapeptide domain in SRCR5 and SRCR7 also conferred resistance. Mutant CD163 proteins that resisted infection retained the ability to interact with GP2, GP3, GP4 and GP5 viral glycopmteins. The contribution of multiple domains to infection but not to the binding of viral glycoproteins suggests that the envelope proteins may form multiple interactions with CD163, or that receptor regions important for infection have other cellular binding partners required for PRRSV infection. Finally, we mapped the localization the anti-CD163 2A10 antibody epitope.

Automated summary

CD163, a receptor for PRRSV, is involved in infection through specific domains, which do not affect the binding to viral glycoproteins. This suggests that the envelope proteins of PRRSV may interact with CD163 through multiple interactions, or that receptor regions important for infection have other cellular binding partners.