Comparative Analysis of the Host Interfaces of Genotypes of Hendra Virus

Hendra virus (HeV) is a bat-borne virus that has caused disease with high mortality in horses and humans in Australia. This project investigated potential differences between the two genotypes of HeV (that may impact on risks associated with outbreaks) using approaches including high containment infections, proteomics, and live-cell imaging. The data indicate that fundamental infection mechanisms are conserved but that HeV-genotype 1 replicates more efficiently and inhibits antiviral immunity more strongly than genotype 2. These findings provide novel insights into genotypic differences and the molecular mechanisms of HeV pathogenesis, important to the identification of new targets for antiviral approaches.