The genetic basis for susceptibility to Rift Valley fever disease in MBT/Pas mice

Genes Immun. 2015 Apr-May;16(3):206-12. doi: 10.1038/gene.2014.79. Epub 2015 Jan 8.

Abstract

The large variation in individual response to infection with Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) suggests that host genetic determinants play a role in determining virus-induced disease outcomes. These genetic factors are still unknown. The systemic inoculation of mice with RVFV reproduces major pathological features of severe human disease, notably the hepatitis and encephalitis. A genome scan performed on 546 (BALB/c × MBT) F2 progeny identified three quantitative trait loci (QTLs), denoted Rvfs-1 to Rvfs-3, that were associated with disease susceptibility in MBT/Pas mice. Non-parametric interval-mapping revealed one significant and two suggestive linkages with survival time on chromosomes 2 (Rvfs-1), 5 (Rvfs-3) and 11 (Rvfs-2) with respective logarithm of odds (LOD) scores of 4.58, 2.95 and 2.99. The two-part model, combining survival time and survival/death, identified one significant linkage to Rvfs-2 and one suggestive linkage to Rvfs-1 with respective LOD scores of 5.12 and 4.55. Under a multiple model, with additive effects and sex as a covariate, the three QTLs explained 8.3% of the phenotypic variance. Sex had the strongest influence on susceptibility. The contribution of Rvfs-1, Rvfs-2 and Rvfs-3 to survival time of RVFV-infected mice was further confirmed in congenic mice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Female
  • Genetic Markers
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Genome-Wide Association Study
  • Haplotypes
  • Lod Score
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Phenotype
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Quantitative Trait Loci
  • Rift Valley Fever / genetics*
  • Rift Valley Fever / mortality
  • Rift Valley Fever / virology*
  • Rift Valley fever virus*

Substances

  • Genetic Markers