Inhibition of H9n2 Replication by Recombinant Glutathione-S-Transferase A3 Protein Through Regulation of Interleukin Receptor Expression in Chicken Erythrocytes

Abstract

H9N2 is one of the most prevalent subtypes of avian influenza virus currently. The antiviral effects involving interleukin receptor (ILRs) have been revealed. Previous studies have reported the immunomodulatory role of recombinant glutathione-S-transferase A3 (rGSTA3) protein on chicken erythrocytes. In this study, we found that GSTA3 has an inhibitory effect on H9N2 by hemagglutination assay and qRT-PCR. In addition, we explored the effect of H9N2 and rGSTA3 on ILRs in chicken erythrocytes. The mRNA expression of ILRs (IL1R1, IL1R2, IL1RL1, IL2RB, NFIL3, IL-7R, IL10RA, IL13RA1, IL17RA and IL18R1) was firstly identified in chicken erythrocytes, and the differential expression of these ILRs in chicken erythrocytes after treatment of H9N2 and rGSTA3 protein was determined. The results showed that the rGSTA3 protein inhibited the hemagglutination activity and replication of H9N2 in chicken erythrocytes, and the regulation of these ILRs expression was found in chicken erythrocytes. This study enriched the theoretical basis of the interaction between H9N2 virus and chicken erythrocytes and suggested that rGSTA3 may represent a good candidate for the prevention and treatment of H9N2 virus in the future.

Keywords: Avian influenza viruses, H9N2, Interleukin receptors, Chicken erythrocytes, rGSTA3