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Molecular characterization and biological characteristics of a highly pathogenic recombinant ALV-J strain (HUE2023) with cross-clade gp85 recombination.

Avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J) has undergone extensive diversification into phylogenetically distinct clades, yet whether recombination between these clades within the gp85 envelope glycoprotein generates variants with altered pathogenicity has received little direct investigation. A field strain (HUE2023) was recovered from breeding roosters displaying vascular tumors. The viral genome was sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic and recombination analyses. The three-dimensional structure of gp85 was predicted with AlphaFold3; electrostatic surface potentials and surface hydrophobicity were computed using the Adaptive Poisson-Boltzmann Solver and the Eisenberg hydrophobicity scale, respectively. Pathogenicity and immunosuppressive effects were assessed in Hy-Line Brown chickens. Recombination analysis revealed that HUE2023 is an inter-clade recombinant derived from Clade 1.1 (major parent: JS14NT01) and Clade 1.2 (minor parent: JS09GY3). A single-residue deletion at position 61 within receptor-binding domain 1 (RBD-1), unique to the recombinant, induced a localized conformational rearrangement that generated a concentrated electronegative surface patch and a contiguous hydrophobic pocket not observed in either parental gp85. Animal challenge showed that HUE2023 is highly pathogenic: female chickens in the high-dose group reached only 61% survival and displayed significant growth retardation (P&#x202f;<&#x202f;0.05) together with marked immunosuppression. The recombination in the RBD-1 led to local conformational rearrangement, resulting in a concentrated and negatively charged surface area as well as a continuous hydrophobic pocket, which were never present in any of the parental gp85 sequences. These results indicate that gp85 recombination across clades can yield variants with fundamentally altered receptor-binding surfaces and argue for integrating structural surveillance into ALV-J monitoring programmes.

Animals

N6-methyladenosine modification of the subgroup J avian leukosis viral RNAs attenuates host innate immunity via MDA5 signaling.

Subgroup J avian leukosis virus (ALV-J), a retrovirus, elicits immunosuppression and persistent infections in chickens. Although it is widely acknowledged that ALV-J can evade the host's innate immune defenses, the mechanisms behind this immune evasion remain elusive. N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the most prevalent internal RNA modification, plays a role in innate immune evasion. Our research identified ALV-J as an inefficient stimulator of innate immunity in vitro and in vivo, with its genomic RNA featuring m6A modifications predominantly in the envelope protein (Env) region and 3' untranslated region (3'UTR). To elucidate the functional consequences of m6A modification, we subsequently generated m6A-deficient ALV-J through its culturing in the DF-1 overexpressing fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) cells. The m6A-deficient ALV-J virus, or its RNAs significantly enhanced IFN-&#x3b2; production compared to the wild-type (wt) ALV-J, suggesting a pivotal regulatory function of m6A modifications in modulating innate immune response. Mechanistically, the m6A modification of the ALV-J genomic RNA directly impacted its recognition by MDA5, weakening its binding and ubiquitination and attenuating IFN-&#x3b2; activation. Moreover, m6A-deficient ALV-J, created by inducing mutations in m6A sites within Env and 3'UTR, exhibited reduced replication capacity and elevated IFN-&#x3b2; expression in host cells. Importantly, this phenomenon was abolished in MDA5-knockout DF-1 cells, further demonstrating the core role of MDA5. These data demonstrate that m6A modification of ALV-J genomic RNA dampens the host's innate immune response through MDA5 signaling pathway.

Animals

Isolation and identification of a highly oncogenic subgroup J avian leukosis virus strain from Chinese black chickens.

Avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J), an oncogenic retrovirus, is a highly contagious pathogen that induces myelocytomas, hemangiomas, and other neoplastic diseases in chickens. Recently, ALV-J infection in Chinese local chicken breeds has increased, with enhanced pathogenicity, posing a severe threat to the local poultry industry. In March 2024, a tumor outbreak occurred on a Chinese black chicken farm in Heze City, China, causing lethargy, emaciation, and tumorigenesis in the eyes and legs of affected chickens. Necropsy revealed extensive yellow-white neoplasms disseminated across the sternum, ribs, vertebrae, and visceral organs. Pathological examinations revealed multiple tumor types, including myelocytomas, hemangiomas, fibromas, and reticulosarcomas in the affected chickens. In this study, nine ALV-J isolates were isolated and designated HZ0319-1 to HZ0319-9. All isolates possessed an identical full-genome length of 7,687 bp and exhibited high nucleotide sequence similarity, ranging from 99.8% to 99.9%, suggesting that they were closely related variants from the same outbreak. Nucleotide sequence analysis identified unique deletions and mutations in the gag, pol, and gp85 genes, leading to predicted conformational changes in the P2, P10, and SU proteins. In addition, HZ0319 showed deletions in the r-TM region and a large 125-nt deletion in the E element of the 3' untranslated region, leaving only a short conserved fragment. The representative isolate HZ0319-1 showed stronger replication capacity than the reference strain NX0101 in DF-1 cells. In experimentally infected chicks, HZ0319-1 induced myelocytomas and hemangiomas and produced high viral load in multiple tissues. Notably, viral load analysis revealed that the liver showed the highest viral load at 1 day of age, whereas most other tissues reached peak viral load at 21 days of age, suggesting early hepatic replication followed by systemic dissemination. Furthermore, HZ0319-1infection significantly upregulated tumor-related host genes, including p53, c-Myc, c-Fos, and ZIC1, in tumor-associated tissues. These results demonstrate that the HZ0319-1 isolate has enhanced tumorigenicity and replication ability. Nucleotide mutations and deletions in both coding and non-coding regions of the viral genome may alter the viral tissue tropism and oncogenic potential. This study provides novel insights into the molecular characteristics and pathogenicity of ALV-J in local Chinese chickens, and provides a foundation for the prevention and eradication of ALV-J in the local poultry industry.

Avian leukosis virus subgroup J