SARS-like WIV1-CoV poised for human emergence

Abstract
Significance: The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)-CoV highlights the continued risk of cross-species transmission leading to epidemic disease. This manuscript describes efforts to extend surveillance beyond sequence analysis, constructing chimeric and full-length zoonotic coronaviruses to evaluate emergence potential. Focusing on SARS-like virus sequences isolated from Chinese horseshoe bats, the results indicate a significant threat posed by WIV1-CoV. Both full-length and chimeric WIV1-CoV readily replicated efficiently in human airway cultures and in vivo, suggesting capability of direct transmission to humans. In addition, while monoclonal antibody treatments prove effective, the SARS-based vaccine approach failed to confer protection. Together, the study indicates an ongoing threat posed by WIV1-related viruses and the need for continued study and surveillance.
Funding Information
  • HHS | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (U19AI109761)
  • HHS | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (U19AI107810)
  • Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (AI1085524)
  • HHS | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (F32AI102561)
  • HHS | NIH | National Institute on Aging (K99AG049092)
  • HHS | NIH | National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (DK065988)

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