Generation of PCBP1-deficient pigs using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing

Classical swine fever virus (CSFV), a classic swine fever pathogen, causes severe economic losses worldwide. Poly (rC)-binding protein 1 (PCBP1), which interacts with N(pro) of CSFV, plays a vital role in CSFV growth. We are the first to report the generation of PCBP1-deficient pigs via gene-editing technology. The PCBP1-deficient pigs exhibited normal birth weight and reproductive-performance traits and developed normally. Viral challenge experiments indicated that primary cells isolated from F(0)- and F(1)-generation pigs exhibited significantly reduced CSFV infection. Additional mechanistic exploration further confirmed that the PCBP1 deficiency-mediated antiviral effect is related to the activation of type I interferon (IFN). Besides showing that a gene-editing strategy could be used to generate PCBP1-deficient pigs, our study introduces a valuable animal model for further investigating the infection mechanisms of CSFV that will help to develop better antiviral solutions.