Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:46:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 618598 bytes, checksum: 78e08690fd4db366e1e37fe332d558bc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-02-27 / The porcine circovirus, caused by the porcine circuvirus type 2 (PCV 2), and the porcine enzootic pneumonia, caused by the Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, are infectious contagious diseases of great importance for worldwide swine production, both causes pneumonias with different presentation patterns. They have cosmopolite distribution and are among the major causes in economic losses. This work was made aiming the evaluation of the co-infection between porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae using real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), immunohistochemistry and histopathological analyses. 120 lungs fragments, 45 being from fragments with macroscopic lesions (CLM) and 75 being from fragments without macroscopic lesions (SLM) were analyzed by histopathology procedures. Among these, 32 samples were randomly selected (being 16 without macroscopic lesions and 16 with macroscopic lesions) for the immunohistochemistry analyses (for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae detection) and qPCR (for PCV 2 detection). No significant difference was observed between the groups (SLM and CLM) on the tests, indicating that the absence of macroscopic lesions doesn t reject the possible presence of agents neither the presence of microscopic lesions. The histopatological technique showed itself as an important tool for diagnosis approach. Although the lesion are not patognomonic for the agents in the analyses, they are quite suggestive about the viral and bacterium scene, and these findings, together with the presence of clinical signs and agent detection (more frequently made by qPCR and immunohistochemistry), confirm the diagnosis of each agent isolated or co-infection. Although the samples analyzed by RT-PCR had shown higher number of negative results and low viral quantity, many authors related that lungs are among the organs with the lowest viral quantities of PCV2, being, for that reason, the liver linfonodes, the main target of the PCV2, more indicated for viral quantification. It was verified a positive correlation between the immunohistochemistry analysis and the histopathology analysis using the Pearson statistical test, which confirms the presence of the agent in the histopathology observations. Forward studies using linfonodes samples (target of the PCV2) and samples collected from different lung anatomic regions must be realized for evaluation of a co-infection for more accurate results. / A circovirose suína, causada pelo circovirus suíno tipo 2 (PCV2), e a pneumonia enzoótica suína, causada pelo Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, são doenças infecto-contagiosas de grande importância na suinocultura mundial, ambas causam pneumonias com diferentes formas de apresentação. Têm distribuição cosmopolita e estão entre as principais causas de perdas econômicas. O presente trabalho foi realizado com o objeto de avaliar a coinfecção entre Circovírus suíno 2 e o Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, por meio da reação da polimerase em cadeia em tempo real (qPCR), técnica de imunoistoquímica e exames histopatológicos. Cento e vinte fragmentos de pulmões, sendo 45 com lesões macroscópicas (CLM) e 75 sem lesões macroscópicas (SLM) foram analisados pela histopatologia. Destes, foram selecionadas aleatoriamente 32 amostras (sendo 16 sem lesões macroscópicas e 16 com lesões macroscópicas) para a realização dos testes de imunoistoquímica (para a detecção do Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae) e qPCR (para detecção do PCV2). Não foi observada diferença significativa entre os grupos (SLM e CLM) em nenhum dos testes, o que indica que a ausência de lesões macroscópicas não descarta a possibilidade da presença dos agentes nem de lesões microscópicas. A técnica de histopatologia representou uma importante ferramenta para se aproximar ao diagnóstico. Embora as lesões não sejam patognomônicas para os agentes avaliados, elas são bastante sugestivas dos quadros viral e bacteriano, e esses achados, aliados a presença de sinais clínicos e detecção do agente (que são mais frequentemente realizados por qPCR e imunoistoquímica), confirmam o diagnóstico de cada agente isoladamente ou da coinfecção. Apesar das amostras analisadas pelo qPCR terem apresentado grande número de resultados negativos e baixa carga viral, diversos autores relatam que o pulmão é um dos órgãos com menor carga viral de PCV2, sendo desta forma os órgãos linfóides, principais alvos do PCV2, mais indicados para a quantificação viral. Foi verificada uma correlação positiva do teste de imunoistoquímica com o teste histopatológico de acordo com o teste estatístico de Pearson, o que confirma a presença do agente nas lesões observadas na histopatologia. Estudos futuros utilizando a coleta de linfonodos (órgão alvo do PCV2) e amostras coletadas de diferentes regiões anatômicas pulmonares devem ser realizados para avaliar a co-infecção de uma forma mais acurada.

The aim of this study was to develop a system for easy production of different veterinary chimeric vaccines based on stable mouse polyomavirus (MPyV) structures. The system is designed for antigens that are problematic in production or stability. First, universal vectors for baculovirus-directed production of chimeric MPyV VLPs or pentamers based on the major capsid protein VP1 were designed to be exploited as vaccines against other pathogens. The different strategies used in this study are based on: A) exposure of selected immunogenic epitopes on the surface of MPyV VLPs by inserting them into a surface loop of the VP1 protein, B) insertion of foreign protein molecules inside the VLPs, or C) fusion of a foreign protein or its part with the C-terminus of VP1 protein, thus forming giant pentamers of a chimeric protein. Candidate vaccine antigens against porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2), the causative agent of porcine circovirus 2 systemic diseases (PCV2-SD) which causes significant economic losses in swine breeding, were prepared using the constructed vectors. All candidate vaccines induced the production of antibodies against the capsid protein of PCV2 after immunization of mice. The candidate vaccine Var C based on fusion of MPyV and PCV2 capsid proteins, is able to induce production of antibodies with...

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Le circovirus porcin de type 2 (PCV2) est un pathogène majeur pour l’industrie porcine et est associé à une longue liste de maladies associées au circovirus porcin (MACVP). Les premières tentatives pour reproduire ces maladies ont montré que le virus doit être combiné à d’autres agents pathogènes du porc ou à différents stimulants du système immunitaire. De ces agents, le virus du syndrome reproducteur et respiratoire porcin (VSRRP) est celui qui est le plus souvent co-isolé avec le PCV dans les fermes. Une grande partie des efforts faits pour étudier les interactions entre ces deux virus ont été menés in vivo. Les interactions in vitro ont jusqu’à maintenant été peu étudiées du fait qu’il n’existe pas de modèle cellulaire permettant la réplication efficace des deux virus. L’objectif de ce projet était donc de développer un modèle cellulaire propice à la réplication des deux virus et d’étudier leur interaction en co-infection. Une lignée cellulaire provenant de la trachée d’un porcelet nouveau-né (NPTr), permissive au PCV, a été génétiquement modifiée pour exprimer la protéine CD163, un récepteur majeur du VSRRP. Ce projet a montré que cette nouvelle lignée cellulaire (NPTr-CD163) est permissive au VSRRP ainsi qu’à plusieurs génotypes de PCV (PCV1, PCV2a, PCV2b et PCV1/2a). De plus, les résultats obtenus lors d’infections mixtes suggèrent que la réplication du VSRRP et du PCV conditionne de façon génotype-dépendante celle du PCV puisque la réplication du PCV1 est inhibée en présence de VSRRP, alors que celle du PCV2b est significativement augmentée dans les mêmes conditions. Ni la mortalité cellulaire, ni la réponse cellulaire en cytokines n’a permis d’expliquer ces résultats. La modulation de la réplication du PCV par le VSRRP serait donc liée à un mécanisme spécifique qui demeure inconnu. De plus, cet effet varierait en fonction du génotype de PCV. / Porcine circovirus (PCV) type 2 (PCV2) is a major pathogen in the swine industry and has been described as the causative agent of a long list of conditions under the designation of porcine circovirus-associated diseases (PCVAD). Attempts to replicate PCVAD initially failed, as it was discovered that an immune trigger could facilitate the reproduction of clinical signs, either by co-infecting with other swine pathogens or using immune stimulants. Of these, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is the most frequently co-isolated agent in the field. Most effort has been made to understand this interaction in vivo since most in vitro cellular models lack the ability to efficiently replicate both viruses. To answer the lack of an in vitro model, we developed a cell line that allows the replication of both PRRSV and PCV. A neonate porcine tracheal cell line (NPTr) was genetically modified to stably express CD163 (NPTr-CD163), a major PRRSV receptor. NPTr-CD163 cells were able to replicate all PCV genotypes (PCV1, PCV1/2a, PCV2a and PCV2b) and PRRSV. A significant effect of PRRSV on PCV replication was found to be genotype dependent, as PCV1 replication was down regulated in the presence of PRRSV and PCV2b replication was up regulated in the same conditions. Neither cell mortality assays nor cytokine expression analysis were able to provide an explanation for these results. The effect of PRRSV on PCV1 and PCV2b replication is suggestive of a more specific, yet still unknown, mechanism. Furthermore, this effect is PCV-genotype dependant.

Le circovirus porcin de type 2 (PCV2) est un pathogène majeur pour l’industrie porcine et est associé à une longue liste de maladies associées au circovirus porcin (MACVP). Les premières tentatives pour reproduire ces maladies ont montré que le virus doit être combiné à d’autres agents pathogènes du porc ou à différents stimulants du système immunitaire. De ces agents, le virus du syndrome reproducteur et respiratoire porcin (VSRRP) est celui qui est le plus souvent co-isolé avec le PCV dans les fermes. Une grande partie des efforts faits pour étudier les interactions entre ces deux virus ont été menés in vivo. Les interactions in vitro ont jusqu’à maintenant été peu étudiées du fait qu’il n’existe pas de modèle cellulaire permettant la réplication efficace des deux virus. L’objectif de ce projet était donc de développer un modèle cellulaire propice à la réplication des deux virus et d’étudier leur interaction en co-infection. Une lignée cellulaire provenant de la trachée d’un porcelet nouveau-né (NPTr), permissive au PCV, a été génétiquement modifiée pour exprimer la protéine CD163, un récepteur majeur du VSRRP. Ce projet a montré que cette nouvelle lignée cellulaire (NPTr-CD163) est permissive au VSRRP ainsi qu’à plusieurs génotypes de PCV (PCV1, PCV2a, PCV2b et PCV1/2a). De plus, les résultats obtenus lors d’infections mixtes suggèrent que la réplication du VSRRP et du PCV conditionne de façon génotype-dépendante celle du PCV puisque la réplication du PCV1 est inhibée en présence de VSRRP, alors que celle du PCV2b est significativement augmentée dans les mêmes conditions. Ni la mortalité cellulaire, ni la réponse cellulaire en cytokines n’a permis d’expliquer ces résultats. La modulation de la réplication du PCV par le VSRRP serait donc liée à un mécanisme spécifique qui demeure inconnu. De plus, cet effet varierait en fonction du génotype de PCV. / Porcine circovirus (PCV) type 2 (PCV2) is a major pathogen in the swine industry and has been described as the causative agent of a long list of conditions under the designation of porcine circovirus-associated diseases (PCVAD). Attempts to replicate PCVAD initially failed, as it was discovered that an immune trigger could facilitate the reproduction of clinical signs, either by co-infecting with other swine pathogens or using immune stimulants. Of these, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is the most frequently co-isolated agent in the field. Most effort has been made to understand this interaction in vivo since most in vitro cellular models lack the ability to efficiently replicate both viruses. To answer the lack of an in vitro model, we developed a cell line that allows the replication of both PRRSV and PCV. A neonate porcine tracheal cell line (NPTr) was genetically modified to stably express CD163 (NPTr-CD163), a major PRRSV receptor. NPTr-CD163 cells were able to replicate all PCV genotypes (PCV1, PCV1/2a, PCV2a and PCV2b) and PRRSV. A significant effect of PRRSV on PCV replication was found to be genotype dependent, as PCV1 replication was down regulated in the presence of PRRSV and PCV2b replication was up regulated in the same conditions. Neither cell mortality assays nor cytokine expression analysis were able to provide an explanation for these results. The effect of PRRSV on PCV1 and PCV2b replication is suggestive of a more specific, yet still unknown, mechanism. Furthermore, this effect is PCV-genotype dependant.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-08T16:24:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PGCA09MA052.pdf: 726948 bytes, checksum: 2a141d4d92b1c5ac552655f7c9ad3c1a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-11-06 / Many infectious agents have been associated with reproductive failure in swine, representing significantly economic losses for production. Recently, Porcine Circovirus Type 2 (PCV2), etiologic agent of PCVAD or PCV2 associated diseases, was associated with reproductive failure in swine around the world. To confirm the pathogenic potential of PCV2 inducing reproductive failure in sows, it s necessary the viral isolation and antigen and nucleic acid demonstration in fetuses. Other viral agent, Torque Teno Vírus (TTV), also have been recently associated with infections caused by PCV2. TTV alone has not showed pathogenic signals in swine, but, its role in co-infections with other pathogens has been investigated. The present study aimed the diagnostic of PCV2 in natural infections where there was reproductive failure, as well as to establish and apply the Polimerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique for TTV from organs. Samples from field cases, as aborted fetuses, mummified, stillborn, fragile piglets and material from abattoir sows were collected and processed to diagnostic infection in order to detect PCV2 by PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Samples were collected from 21 farms; and a total of 169 fetuses were necropsied. Moreover, reproductive samples from 83 abattoir sows were collected in 4 slaughterhouses of Santa Catarina State. In the present study was possible detect viral DNA by PCR in 29 (17,1%) of 169 analyzed fetuses, where heart and lymphoid tissues showed virus DNA more frequently, 41,4% and 37,8%, respectively. Viral presence was confirmed by IHC in tissues, which detected viral antigens in 17 PCV2 positives fetuses by PCR. Samples of reproductive tissues from sows also were tested by PCR and PCV2 was identified in 4 sows (4,8%). PCR technique aimed to detect TTV was established for viral DNA from organs. Samples of reproductive tissues from sows were tested, and were found both genogroups of TTV (TTV1 and TTV2), in 25 (30,1%) and 41 (49,3%) sows, respectively. Fetuses samples that resulted positive to PCV2 by PCR were also tested to TTV, and it was observed the occurrence of co-infection between these agents. The results obtained here suggest the involvement of PCV2 in reproductive failure in sows, besides show that TTV was present in analyzed samples, corroboring the association with PCV2 / Muitos agentes infecciosos têm sido associados às falhas reprodutivas na produção de suínos, representando significativas perdas econômicas para os suinocultores. Recentemente o Circovirus Suíno tipo 2 (PCV2), agente etiológico da circovirose suína, foi associado a falhas reprodutivas em suínos em diversas partes do mundo. Para confirmar o potencial patogênico do PCV2 causando falhas reprodutivas em porcas, é necessário o isolamento do vírus e demonstração de antígeno e ácido nucléico viral em fetos. Outro agente viral, o Torque Teno Vírus (TTV), também foi recentemente associado às infecções causadas pelo PCV2. O TTV sozinho ainda não tem se mostrado patogênico em suínos, porém, seu papel em co-infecções com outros patógenos vem sendo investigado. O presente trabalho teve por objetivos diagnosticar o PCV2 em infecções naturais onde existiam falhas reprodutivas, assim como padronizar e aplicar a técnica de Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR) para TTV a partir de órgãos. Amostras provenientes de casos clínicos de campo, como fetos abortados, mumificados, natimortos, leitões inviáveis e material de fêmeas descartadas foram coletadas e processadas para diagnóstico da infecção pelo PCV2 através de PCR e imunoistoquímica (IHQ). Foram colhidas amostras de 21 granjas produtoras de suínos, totalizando 169 fetos, que foram necropsiados para coleta de órgãos. Além disso, amostras de órgãos reprodutivos de 83 fêmeas descartadas foram colhidas em 4 abatedouros da região oeste catarinense. No presente estudo foi possível detectar DNA viral por PCR em 29 (17,1%) dos 169 fetos analisados, sendo coração e tecidos linfóides os órgãos onde o vírus foi identificado com maior freqüência, 41,4% e 37,8%, respectivamente. A presença do vírus foi confirmada por teste de IHQ dos tecidos, sendo encontrado antígeno viral em 17 fetos positivos para PCV2 por PCR. As amostras de tecido reprodutivo das fêmeas também foram testadas por PCR e o PCV2 foi identificado em 4 porcas (4,8%). Visando a detecção de TTV foram testadas por PCR amostras de órgãos reprodutivos de fêmeas suínas, sendo diagnosticados os dois genogrupos de TTV, TTV1 e TTV2 em 25 (30,1%) e 41 (49,3%) fêmeas, respectivamente. As amostras de fetos que resultaram positivas para PCV2 pela técnica de PCR também foram testadas para TTV, observando-se a ocorrência de coinfecção entre estes agentes. Os resultados obtidos evidenciam o provável envolvimento do PCV2 em falhas reprodutivas em fêmeas suínas, bem como mostram que o TTV está presente nas amostras analisadas, confirmando a associação com o PCV2

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is the causative agent of porcine circovirus-associated disease (PCVAD). Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is caused by PRRS virus (PRRSV). Both PCV2 and PRRSV have caused devastating diseases in the swine industry worldwide, resulting in immense economic losses. One of the most common co-infections in the swine industry is PCV2 and PRRSV. The aim of this dissertation research is to explore different experimental approaches to develop novel vaccines against the two major pathogens affecting swine production and study the basic mechanisms that may be involved in viral pathogenesis. Two types of porcine circovirus (PCV), PCV1 and PCV2, have been identified thus far. PCV1, first identified as a contaminant of the PK-15 cell line, is non-pathogenic and has a low prevalence in swine herds. PCV2 is highly prevalent in most swine-producing countries and is associated with clinical PCVAD. The non-pathogenic PCV1 shares similar genomic organization with PCV2. Previously, it has been demonstrated that a genetically modified infectious chimeric PCV1-2a virus can tolerate up to a 27 aa insertion in the C-terminus of the ORF2 without affecting infectivity and produce a dual immune response against PCV2cap and the inserted epitope tag. Therefore, we evaluated the use of the non-pathogenic PCV1 wild-type (wt) virus and chimeric PCV1-2a vaccine virus (vs) to express four known B-cell epitopes of PRRSV. Peptide epitopes of PRRSV-VR2385, including GP2II (aa 40–51, ASPSHVGWWSFA), GP3I (aa 61–72, QAAAEAYEPGRS), GP5I (aa 35–46, SSSNLQLIYNLT), and GP5IV (aa 187–200, TPVTRVSAEQWGRP) were inserted in frame into the C-terminus of the ORF2 of PCV1wt as well as the PCV1-2avs. Four PCV1-PRRSVEPI chimeric viruses and four PCV1-2a-PRRSVEPI chimeric viruses were successfully rescued and shown to be infectious in vitro and co-expressed PCV1cap or PCV2cap with each specific PRRSV epitope. Two independent animal studies were conducted to evaluate whether the non-pathogenic PCV1 can serve as a vaccine delivery vector and whether the PCV1-2a vaccine virus can be used to develop a bivalent vaccine against both PCV2 and PRRSV. We demonstrated that three PCV1-PRRSVEPI chimeric viruses and two PCV1-2a-PRRSVEPI chimeric viruses were infectious in pigs. Importantly, we demonstrated that the PCV1-PRRSVEPI and PCV1-2a-PRRSVEPI chimeric viruses not only induced specific PCV1 or PCV2 IgG antibody but also specific anti-PRRSV epitope antibody responses as well. Regardless of the PCV backbone used, we showed that the PCV-PRRSV chimeric viruses elicited neutralizing antibodies against PRRSV-VR2385. These results provided a proof of concept for the potential use of the non-pathogenic PCV1 as a vaccine delivery system for PRRSV or other swine pathogens and the use of PCV1-2a vaccine virus to generate a bivalent vaccine against both PCV2 and PRRSV. PRRSV causes a persistent infection and immunosuppression. Immunomodulation of the host immune system is caused by modulation of numerous interleukins, such as type I interferons, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-12 (IL-12) in infected pigs. Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) are the first line of defense, and their infection plays an important role in innate-mediated immune regulation during early immune responses. Among the APCs, pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAMs), pulmonary interstitial macrophages (PIMs), and dendritic cells (DCs) are the main targets for PRRSV replication. The role of PRRSV-DCs interaction is not fully understood, and current research focuses on the production and regulation of interferons through DC-SIGN receptors. In this study, we evaluated the immunomodulation of MoDCs by PRRSV through interactions with the pDC-SIGN receptor, by blocking pDC-SIGN with recombinant hICAM-3-Fc or anti-pDC-SIGN mAb. Our results indicate that recombinant hICAM-3-Fc enhances mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines and that anti-pDC-SIGN mAb inhibits mRNA expression of TNF-α and IL-1α and enhances the expression of IL-12 induced by PRRSV in MoDCs. The results will help understand the molecular mechanisms of PRRSV pathogenesis. / Ph. D.

Les interactions entre le circovirus porcin de génotype 2b (PCV2b), le virus du syndrome reproducteur et respiratoire porcin (VSRRP) et le virus de l’influenza porcine (VIP) dans le complexe respiratoire porcin (CRP) sont souvent associées à une augmentation des signes cliniques respiratoires chez les animaux. L’objectif général de cette étude était de caractériser les effets et les mécanismes moléculaires impliqués dans la pathogenèse de la co-infection de PCV2b avec le VSRRP ou le VIP dans des modèles cellulaires des voies respiratoires du porc. La réplication virale, la viabilité cellulaire, l’expression de l’ARNm des cytokines et la modulation de l’expression des gènes cellulaires induite par l’infection virale ont été évalués dans les cellules co-infectées versus les cellules infectées par un seul virus. Les résultats obtenus ont permis de confirmer que la réplication du PCV2b augmente en présence du VSRRP dans les cellules épithéliales des voies respiratoires porcines (NPTr) génétiquement modifiées pour exprimer le récepteur CD163 (NPTr-CD163), tandis que celle du VSRRP est diminuée. Il a été mis en évidence que le PCV2b provoque une diminution ou une augmentation de la réplication du VIP dans les cellules NPTr et les macrophages alvéolaires porcins (iPAM 3D4/21), respectivement. Cependant, la réplication du PCV2b n’est pas affectée en présence du VIP. L’expression des ARNm des cytokines varie différemment selon le modèle de co-infection analysé et le type cellulaire infecté. L’expression des interférons de type I (α/β) a été significativement réduite dans les cellules NPTr-CD163, co- infectées par le PCV2b et le VSRRP (PCV2b/VSRRP) par rapport aux mêmes cellules infectées uniquement par le PCV2b. Cependant, la co-infection du PCV2b et du VIP (PCV2b/VIP) a causé une augmentation synergique de l’expression des IFNs de type I et de type II dans les cellules NPTr, tandis que dans les cellules iPAM 3D4/21, le PCV2b a affecté la réponse des IFNs induite par le VIP. À la suite des analyses transcriptomiques, plusieurs gènes différentiellement exprimés ont été identifiés dans les cellules co-infectées ou infectées par un seul virus. Dans les cellules co-infectées PCV2b/VSRRP, le niveau d’expression de l’ARNm et de la protéine du gène cellulaire codant pour la phosphatase 1 à double spécificité (DUSP1) ont été significativement augmentés. La réduction de l’expression de DUSP1, à l’aide des petits ARN interférents (ou siRNA pour small interfering RNA) dans les cellules co-infectées a significativement réduit la réplication du PCV2b, suggérant un rôle de DUSP1 dans la pathogenèse de la co-infection PCV2b/VSRRP. / Interactions of porcine circovirus genotype 2b (PCV2b), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and swine influenza virus (SwIV) in the porcine respiratory complex (PRC) are often associated with increased respiratory clinical signs in animals. The general objective of this study was to characterize the effects and molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of PCV2b co-infection with PRRSV or SwIV using cellular models of the porcine respiratory tract. Viral replication, cell viability, cytokine mRNA expression and modulation of cell gene expression induced by viral infection were evaluated in co-infected cells versus single infected cells. The results obtained confirmed that PCV2b replication increases in the presence of PRRSV in porcine respiratory epithelial cells (NPTr) genetically modified to express the CD163 receptor (NPTr-CD163), whereas PRRSV is decreased. It was demonstrated that PCV2b causes a decrease or an increase in SwIV replication in NPTr cells and porcine alveolar macrophages (iPAM 3D4/21), respectively. However, PCV2b replication was not affected in the presence of SwIV. The impact of co-infections on cytokine mRNA expression varied according to the co- infection model and the type of infected cell. Type I IFNs (α/β) expression was significantly reduced in PCV2b/PRRSV co-infected NPTr-CD163 cells compared to PCV2b single-infected cells. However, PCV2b/SwIV co- infection caused a synergistic increase in type I IFNs expression in NPT cells, while in iPAM 3D4/21 cells, PCV2b affected SwIV-induced IFN response. As result of transcriptomic analyses, differentially expressed genes were identified in co-infected and single infected cells. It was observed that in PCV2b/PRRSV co- infected cells, the mRNA and protein expression levels of the cellular gene coding for the dual specificity protein phosphatase 1 (DUSP1) were significantly increased. Knockdown of DUSP1 expression in co- infected cells, using specific siRNA, significantly reduced PCV2b replication, suggesting a role for DUSP1 in the pathogenesis of PCV2b/PRRSV co-infection.