Knockdown of chERVs block TLR3-IL-1ß dependent inflammatory response in chicken macrophages

Chicken endogenous retroviruses (chERVs) are remnants of ancient retroviral infections and can profoundly affect the host antiviral innate immune response, although the mechanisms by which these changes occur are largely unknown. To investigate the antiviral function of chERVs in ALV-J infection, we knocked down the expression of chERVs in HD11 cells using the CRISPR/Cas9 technique and then performed RNA-sequencing on wild-type and mutant macrophages. Under the presence of chERVs, macrophages response to viral infection through MARCO-TLR3-IL-1ß dependent inflammatory response. Conversely, knowndown of chERVs increased the viral replication levels and attenuated the antiviral inflammatory response. Overall design: To investigate the antiviral function of chERVs in ALV-J infection, we knocked down the expression of chERVs in HD11 cells using the CRISPR/Cas9 technique and then performed RNA-sequencing on wild-type and mutant macrophages.