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IFITMs from Naturally Infected Animal Species Exhibit Distinct Restriction Capacities against Toscana and Rift Valley Fever Viruses

Rift Valley Fever virus (RVFV) and Toscana virus (TOSV) are two pathogenic arthropod-borne viruses responsible for zoonotic infections in both humans and animals. Interferon-induced transmembrane (IFITM) proteins are broad inhibitors of a large panel of viruses; however, little is known on the interplay between RVFV, TOSV, and the IFITM derived from their naturally infected host species. Thus, we investigated the ability of human, bovine, and camel IFITMs to restrict RVFV and TOSV infection. Our results indicated that TOSV is very sensitive to inhibition by all the animal IFITMs tested, while RVFV was inhibited by human IFITM-2 and IFITM-3, but not IFITM-1. Moreover, RVFV displayed a more heterogeneous resistance phenotype towards the bovine and camel IFITMs. Overall, our findings unveil the complex interplay between two zoonotic viruses and IFITMs from their naturally infected animal species.

Read the publication published in Viruses