Single-cell transcriptomics of bronchoalveolar lavage during PRRSV infection with different virulence

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) causes significant economic losses in the global swine industry due to its high genetic diversity and different virulence levels, which complicate disease management and vaccine development. This study evaluated longitudinal changes in the immune cell composition of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and the clinical outcomes across PRRSV strains with varying virulence, using techniques including single-cell transcriptomics. In highly virulent infection, faster viral replication results in an earlier peak lung-damage time point, marked by significant interstitial pneumonia, a significant decrease in macrophages, and an influx of lymphocytes. Viral tracking reveals less than 5% of macrophages are directly infected, and further analysis indicates bystander cell death, likely regulated by exosomal microRNAs as a significant factor. In contrast, the peak intermediate infection shows a delayed lung-damage time point with fewer cell population modifications. Furthermore, anti-inflammatory M2-like macrophages (SPP1-CXCL14high) are identified and their counts increase during the peak lung-damage time point, likely contributing to local defense and lung recovery, which is not observed in high virulent infection. These findings provide a comprehensive description of the immune cellular landscape and differential PRRSV virulence mechanisms, which will help build new hypotheses to understand PRRSV pathogenesis and other respiratory infections.