Replication of Marek's Disease Virus Is Dependent on Synthesis of De Novo Fatty Acid and Prostaglandin E 2

Abstract

Disturbances of the lipid metabolism in chickens infected with MDV contribute to the pathogenesis of disease. However, the role of lipid metabolism in MDV replication remained unknown. Here, we demonstrate that MDV infection activates FAS and induces LD formation. Moreover, our results demonstrate that MDV replication is highly dependent on the FAS pathway and the downstream metabolites. Finally, our results reveal that MDV also activates the COX-2/PGE 2 pathway, which supports MDV replication by activating PGE 2 /EP2 and PGE 2 /EP4 signaling pathways.