Pathogenesis of feline infectious peritonitis

Part of the Collaborative Research Centre CRC 1021 "RNA Viruses: RNA Metabolism, Host Response and Pathogenesis" at Philipps-Universität Marburg with Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, funded since 2013. Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) provides an instructive example of genetic variability being linked to viral pathogenicity. To investigate the molecular basis for the transition from low-pathogenicity (FECV) to high-pathogenicity (FIPV) coronavirus variants, we will characterize recombinant field viruses in vitro and in vivo. First, we will study discriminatory S gene mutations previously identified by comparative sequence analyses of FIPV and FECV isolates. Second, we will investigate the roles of other genetic changes (in S and other genome regions) in FIP development. Third, we will study possible functions of viral accessory proteins (3a, 7a and 7b) in pathogenesis using a range of molecular approaches.