Generation and characterization of a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus expressing the glycoprotein of Borna disease virus.

Borna disease virus (BDV) is an enveloped virus with a nonsegmented negative-strand RNA genome whose organization is characteristic of mononegavirales. However, based on its unique genetics and biological features, BDV is considered to be the prototypic member of a new virus family, Bornaviridae, within the order Mononegavirales. BDV cell entry occurs via receptor-mediated endocytosis, a process initiated by the recognition of an as yet unidentified receptor at the cell surface by the BDV surface glycoprotein (G). The paucity of cell-free virus associated with BDV infection has hindered studies aimed at the elucidation of cellular receptors and detailed mechanisms involved in BDV cell entry. To overcome this problem, we generated and characterized a replication-competent recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus expressing BDV G (rVSV Delta G*/BDVG). Cells infected with rVSV Delta G*/BDVG produced high titers (10(7) PFU/ml) of cell-free virus progeny, but this virus exhibited a highly attenuated phenotype both in cell culture and in vivo. Attenuation of rVSV Delta G*/BDVG was associated with a delayed kinetics of viral RNA replication and altered genome/N mRNA ratios compared to results for rVSV Delta G*VSVG. Likewise, incorporation of BDV G into virions appeared to be restricted despite its high levels of expression and efficient processing in rVSV Delta G*/BDVG-infected cells. Notably, rVSV Delta G*/ BDVG recreated the cell tropism and entry pathway of bona fide BDV. Our results indicate that rVSV Delta G*/ BDVG represents a unique tool for the investigation of BDV G-mediated cell entry, as well as the roles of BDV G in host immune responses and pathogenesis associated with BDV infection.