DsRed2 Labelled Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) belongs to the genus Pneumovirus in the family Paramyxoviridae and has only one serotype. It is a major cause of respiratory disease, especially in young children, immunocompromised individuals, and the elderly. RSV infection causes only mild damage to respiratory ciliated epithelial cells, but in infants and young children aged 2 to 6 months, it can cause severe respiratory diseases such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia. In addition to the direct effect of viral infection, its mechanism of occurrence may be related to the histological characteristics of the respiratory tract, the immature development of immune function, and immunopathological damage in infants and young children.

To better understand and study RSV, we have developed recombinant virus strains that have been genetically modified to contain fluorescent proteins. One of the modifications involves labeling RSV with DsRed2, a variant of the DsRed fluorescent protein derived from the coral Discosoma. DsRed2 is a red fluorescent protein with an emission maximum of approximately 583 nm and an excitation peak of 563 nm. This labeling technology allows researchers to visually track the virus and study its behavior and interactions within host cells. It enables visualization of viral dynamics in living cells, providing insights into viral entry, assembly, and release. This level of detail is critical for understanding the viral life cycle and identifying potential points for therapeutic intervention.