Cited by 161Mosquito-borne diseases and controlViral Infections and VectorsVirology and Viral Diseases

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 29 of the 29 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; 3 of the 6 sources its claims cite were checked for support.

LDLRAD3 is a receptor for Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus

Open access

Abstract

Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) is a neurotropic alphavirus transmitted by mosquitoes that causes encephalitis and death in humans1. VEEV is a biodefence concern because of its potential for aerosol spread and the current lack of sufficient countermeasures. The host factors that are required for VEEV entry and infection remain poorly characterized. Here, using a genome-wide CRISPR–Cas9-based screen, we identify low-density lipoprotein receptor class A domain-containing 3 (LDLRAD3)—a highly conserved yet poorly characterized member of the scavenger receptor superfamily—as a receptor for VEEV. Gene editing of mouse Ldlrad3 or human LDLRAD3 results in markedly reduced viral infection of neuronal cells, which is restored upon complementation with LDLRAD3. LDLRAD3 binds directly to VEEV particles and enhances virus attachment and internalization into host cells. Genetic studies indicate that domain 1 of LDLRAD3 (LDLRAD3(D1)) is necessary and sufficient to support infection by VEEV, and both anti-LDLRAD3 antibodies and an LDLRAD3(D1)–Fc fusion protein block VEEV infection in cell culture. The pathogenesis of VEEV infection is abrogated in mice with deletions in Ldlrad3, and administration of LDLRAD3(D1)–Fc abolishes disease caused by several subtypes of VEEV, including highly virulent strains. The development of a decoy-receptor fusion protein suggests a strategy for the prevention of severe VEEV infection and associated disease in humans. LDLRAD3 is a receptor for infection with Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, and in mouse models deletion of Ldlrad3 or treatment with a soluble LDLRAD3 decoy molecule abrogates infection and disease caused by this virus.

Overview

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

Using a genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screen, the authors identify LDLRAD3/Ldlrad3 as a receptor for Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV). Ldlrad3 domain 1 mediates VEEV binding and infection, and a Ldlrad3-D1-Fc decoy protein or Ldlrad3 deletion protects mice against pathogenic VEEV strains.

Key findings

  • A genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screen in ΔB4galt7 Neuro2a cells, using a mouse GeCKO v2 library of 130,209 sgRNAs targeting 20,611 genes and SINV-VEEV-GFP, identified Ldlrad3 as the top candidate required for VEEV infection.
  • Editing Ldlrad3 or human LDLRAD3 markedly reduced VEEV infection in neuronal and other cells, and complementation restored infection; Ldlrad3 bound VEEV particles and enhanced attachment/internalization, with monovalent Ldlrad3-D1 binding VEEV p62-E1 at an affinity of 209 nM.
  • Ldlrad3 domain 1 (D1) was necessary and sufficient to support VEEV infection; Ldlrad3-D1-Fc and anti-Ldlrad3 antibodies blocked VEEV infection in cell culture, while Ldlrad3-D1-Fc did not inhibit SINV-EEEV.
  • In mice, Ldlrad3 deletions abrogated VEEV pathogenesis, and Ldlrad3-D1-Fc prophylaxis or therapy protected against SINV-VEEV TrD, VEEV TrD, and VEEV ZPC738, including after intracranial VEEV TrD challenge.

Methods

  • Genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 knockout screen in HS-deficient ΔB4galt7 N2a cells with SINV-VEEV-GFP (VEEV IAB strain TrD structural proteins), followed by sorting GFP-negative cells, expansion with anti-VEEV mAbs, repeated infection/sorting, sgRNA sequencing, and MAGeCK analysis.
  • Validation used CRISPR/Cas9 editing of mouse Ldlrad3 and human LDLRAD3, lentiviral complementation with full-length, truncated, GPI-anchored, or domain-deleted constructs, infectivity assays, binding/internalization assays, PI-PLC treatment, ELISA, and surface plasmon resonance.
  • In vivo studies used C57BL/6J, CD-1, and Ldlrad3 gene-edited mice; Ldlrad3-D1-Fc or isotype control was administered before or after infection with SINV-VEEV TrD, VEEV TrD, or VEEV ZPC738, with survival, weight, clinical disease, viral RNA burden, histology, and in situ hybridization assessed.

Limitations

  • The paper states that low levels of residual VEEV infection in Ldlrad3-deficient N2a or SH-SY5Y cells suggest additional factors may contribute to entry; whether laminin-binding proteins or other host factors are involved is undetermined.
  • The paper states that mosquitoes lack an apparent Ldlrad3 ortholog and must have separate entry receptors, and that EEEV and WEEV do not require Ldlrad3, so additional receptors for this virus family likely exist.
  • The text makes evident that in vivo studies were not blinded, mice were randomly assigned to treatment groups, and no sample-size calculations were performed; sample sizes were based on previous in vivo virus challenge experiments.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1038/s41586-020-2915-3

Cites

29 of 29 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Verification

Claims the paper makes

42 Own result · 10 Own method · 5 Own interpretation · 1 Supported so far · 1 Partly supported · 1 Couldn’t confirm · accuracy not yet measured

Show all 28 claims

  • Probably not a substantial claim. 16
  • It may state two separate claims as one. 18
32 of 32
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Host factors required for VEEV entry and infection remain poorly characterized.

    “The host factors required for VEEV entry and infection remain poorly characterized.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    No physiologically relevant entry receptor for VEEV has been established.

    “For VEEV, no physiologically relevant entry receptor has been established, although a laminin-binding protein reportedly enhances infection of mosquito and human cells6,7.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Mosquitoes lack an apparent Ldlrad3 ortholog.

    “Mosquitoes, a natural host for VEEV, lack an apparent Ldlrad3 ortholog and thus must have separate entry receptors.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Ldlrad3-D1-Fc and Ldlrad3-D1-HRV-Fc have equivalent VEEV binding and neutralizing activity.

    “which have equivalent VEEV binding and neutralizing activity”
4 of 4

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Metadata

Authors
Ma, H., Kim, A. S., Kafai, N. M., Earnest, J. T., Shah, A. P., Case, J. B., Basore, K., Gilliland, T. C., Sun, C., Nelson, C. A., Thackray, L. B., Klimstra, W. B., Fremont, D. H., & Diamond, M. S.
Affiliations
  • Washington University in St. Louis (US)
  • University of Pittsburgh (US)
Corresponding author
Diamond, Michael S.
Venue
Nature
Published
2020-11-18
Volume
588
Issue
7837
Pages
308-314
ISSN
  • 0028-0836 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-4687
OpenAlex
W3105847615
Cited by
161
References
29
Citations by year
2026: 23 · 2025: 38 · 2024: 33 · 2023: 31 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 2
FWCI
11.53
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (submittedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (R01AI153209, U19 AI142790, U19AI142759, HHSN272201700060C, R01AI095436, R01AI143673, T32AI007172)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Mosquito-borne diseases and control
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › Viral Infections and Vectors
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Virology and Viral Diseases
Keywords
Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, viral receptor, alphavirus, scavenger receptors, viral entry, viral attachment, viral internalization, decoy receptor, neurotropic viruses, encephalitis, CRISPR-Cas9 screen, mouse model
MeSH terms
Animals, Cell Line, Encephalitis Virus, Venezuelan Equine, Encephalomyelitis, Venezuelan Equine, Female, Genetic Complementation Test, Humans, Male, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Protein Binding, Receptors, LDL, Receptors, Virus, Mice, Virus Attachment, Virus Internalization, CRISPR-Cas Systems

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