# Pathogenesis of Jeilongvirus

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA · 2020 · $471,179

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
J paramyxovirus (JPV) was first isolated from rodents in the early 1970s in Australia. Its genome structure was
determined In 2005. The JPV genome has eight genes in the order of 3'-N-P/V/C-M-F-SH-TM-G-L-5'. JPV
encodes a TM (transmembrane) protein that has no homology to any known proteins and does not exist in any
other classified paramyxoviruses. In 2006, Beilong virus (BeiPV) was isolated from human kidney mesangial
cells (HMCs) as a contaminant from a rat cell line. BeiPV has the same genome structure as JPV. Studies
indicate that BeiPV is a rodent virus. Because of their unique genome structure, a new genus, Jeilongvirus,
was proposed to classify JPV and BeiPV within the paramyxovirus family. Tailam virus (TlmPV), isolated from
the kidney of a Sikkim rat in Hong Kong in 2011, has an identical genome structure as JPV and BeiPV,
indicating that it is a member of Jeilongvirus genus. In 2014, a likely member of Jeilongvirus genus was
identified from the primary culture of grey squirrel kidney cells from the UK. In addition, RNA sequences of
JPV-like viruses have been identified in rodents and bats in Africa, Europe, and China (personal
communication) since 2012, indicating that Jeilongvirus is widely distributed and infects a variety of mammals.
At present, very little is known about this new and emerging class of viruses. Antibodies against JPV have
been detected in rodents, pigs, and humans, suggesting that JPV has a broad host range and zoonotic
potential. The fact that Jeilongviruses have been identified in bats illustrates their zoonotic potential, since bats
are thought to be the natural reservoirs for many emerging zoonotic viruses such as SARS-CoV, Hendra and
Nipah viruses and Ebola virus. In every genus of mammalian paramyxoviruses, there are important human
pathogens. Thus, it is reasonable to expect that one of the viruses in the Jeilongvirus genus is pathogenic in
humans. It is important to study JPV for following reasons: (1) in case a pathogenic human Jeilongvirus
emerges, we will have knowledge about this class of viruses; (2) JPV can be used as a model for the study of
the functions of the small hydrophobic (SH) protein of paramyxoviruses; and (3) TM of JPV is unique in that it is
the only viral protein in the paramyxovirus family that plays a critical role in cell-to-cell fusion, but it is not
essential for virus-to-cell fusion.
We have chosen JPV as a prototype of Jeilongvirus, because we have identified a strain of JPV that is
pathogenic in laboratory mice. In this proposal, we plan to carry out a comprehensive analysis of JPV, focusing
on understanding the functions of SH and TM and their roles in pathogenesis in animals. Towards these goals,
we have established an animal model for in vivo pathogenesis studies and a reverse genetics system for
manipulating the RNA genome of JPV. In addition, we have generated polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies
for all JPV proteins. In this proposal, we will focus on followi...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9969059
- **Project number:** 5R01AI128924-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Biao He
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $471,179
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-07-01 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9969059

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9969059, Pathogenesis of Jeilongvirus (5R01AI128924-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9969059. Licensed CC0.

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