Project description:RNA viruses adapt rapidly to new host environments by generating highly diverse genome sets, so-called “quasispecies”. Minor genetic variants promote their rapid adaptation allowing for emergence of drug-resistance or immune-escape mutants. Understanding these adaptation processes is highly relevant to assess the risk of cross-species transmission, and safety and efficacy of vaccines and antivirals. We hypothesized that genetic memory within a viral genome population facilitates rapid adaptation.
Project description:Canine distemper virus (CDV)-induced demyelinating leukoencephalitis (CDV-DL) in dogs is a translational animal model for human demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis. The aim of this study was to perform an assumption-free microarray analysis of gene expression in different subgroups of CDV-DL as compared to normal controls. Dogs were classified into normal controls (group 1), acute CDV-DL lesions with CDV within the brain but without demyelination and inflammation (group 2), subacute lesions with demyelination but without inflammation (group 3), and subacute to chronic lesions with demyelination and inflammation (group 4).
