Stromal Antigen 2 Deficiency Induces Interferon Responses and Restricts Porcine Deltacoronavirus Infection

Abstract

Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) is a recently discovered enteropathogenic coronavirus and has caused significant economic impacts on the pork industry. Although studies have partly uncovered the molecular mechanism of PDCoV–host interaction, it requires further research. In this study, we explored the roles of Stromal Antigen 2 (STAG2) in PDCoV infection. We found that STAG2-deficient cells inhibited infection with vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and PDCoV, whereas restoration of STAG2 expression in STAG2-depleted (STAG2−/−) IPEC-J2 cells line restored PDCoV infection, suggesting that STAG2 is involved in the PDCoV replication. Furthermore, we found that STAG2 deficiency results in robust interferon (IFN) expression. Subsequently, we found that STAG2 deficiency results in the activation of JAK-STAT signaling and the expression of IFN stimulated gene (ISG), which establish an antiviral state. Taken together, the depletion of STAG2 activates the JAK-STAT signaling and induces the expression of ISG, thereby inhibiting PDCoV replication. Our study provides new insights and potential therapeutic targets for unraveling the mechanism of PDCoV replication.