Investigating the Role of Reticulon 3 in Modulating Dengue Virus Exosome Loading

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral illness caused by the Dengue virus (DENV) that affects millions of people around the world and is a potential pandemic threat. Exosomes, which are vesicles secreted by infected cells, play an important role in DENV infection and disease pathogenesis. Reticulon 3 (RTN3) is a recently discovered membrane protein that is thought to play a role in regulating Flavivirus exosome loading, especially during hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The goal of this project is to study the role of RTN3 in modulating DENV exosome loading during disease pathogenesis. To achieve this goal, we will use a combination of cell and virus culture, molecular biology techniques, and Nano Flow Cytometry to study RTN3-mediated DENV exosome loading. Specifically, we will use RT-qPCR, western blotting, and flow cytometry to characterize exosomes secreted by infected cells. We will also assess the effects of RTN3 knockdown and overexpression on DENV exosome loading. This summer student project is particularly important since DENV is a re-emerging virus with pandemic potential and DENV exosomes can compromise vaccines and therapeutics. Understanding how RTN3 modulates DENV exosome loading will provide valuable information for developing effective DENV vaccines and therapeutics.