Understanding the Host-Pathogen interaction of PRRSV

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is the causative agent of the accordingly named syndrome in pigs, which remains one of the most important viruses and diseases in pigs. While in vitro models of PRRSV-1 infection have made progress experimental in vivo studies are required to further understand the complex nature of syndromic diseases through systems immunology approaches. 

An intriguing feature of PRRS is the late appearance of neutralising antibodies – occasionally long after the infection has been cleared. This emphasises the dominant role of the innate immune system and T cells in the host immune response against PRRSV, which are not fully understood. 

The main objective of the project is to study the host-pathogen interaction of PRRSV-1 with target immune cells and in pigs. The hypothesis is that PRRSV-1 can be resolved by the host without the use of neutralising antibodies. The approaches to study the host-pathogen interaction of PRRSV-1 in vitro and in vivo shall include the: 

1. Use of in vitro systems to demonstrate effect of infection on APC 

2. Analysis of innate immune mechanisms that precede the appearance of the adaptive immune response: 

   The studies will determine the events in the tonsil and retropharyngeal lymph nodes

   Thereby determining the change in the innate and adaptive cellular composition 

3. Analysis of the T and B cell repertoire and function induced upon vaccination:

   These studies will analyse the T cell receptor and antibody sequences in the secondary lymphoid tissues

A systems immunology pipeline will be used that will provide an analysis of innate immune mechanisms preceding the appearance of the adaptive immune responses upon infection with different PRRSV-1 strains or vaccination. 

This analysis will be carried out in conjunction with multicolour flow cytometry and accompanying methods to characterise the tonsillar and lymph node immune cell landscape.

In addition to the above in vivo experiments, transcriptomic approaches will also be applied using in vitro systems to demonstrate the effect of PRRSV-1 infection on primary pig myeloid cells. 

You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements for our Veterinary Medicine and Science PhD programme. 

Open to UK nationals and those who pay UK/home rate fees. See UKCISA for further information

In addition, you will have to be resident in the UK for at least two, ideally 3 years (at the time of application) to meet the requirement for additional security clearances required to carry out work as part of this project.