GFP/Luc Labelled Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) belongs to the genus Pneumovirus in the family Paramyxoviridae and has only one serotype. RSV is named for its surface F protein, which causes the fusion of adjacent cell membranes to produce large multinucleated syncytia. RSV is usually transmitted through droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and through direct contact with contaminated surfaces. The virus can survive on hard surfaces for several hours and can be spread by touching the eyes, nose, or mouth after contact with contaminated surfaces. Symptoms usually appear 4 to 6 days after contact and range from mild cold symptoms to severe respiratory distress. Common symptoms include runny nose, coughing, sneezing, wheezing, and sometimes fever. Traditional diagnostic and research methods often face limitations in tracking and studying viral behavior in host cells in real time. To address these challenges, researchers have developed recombinant HRSVs that express reporter genes such as GFP and Luc. GFP is a protein originally derived from the jellyfish Aequorea victoria that emits green fluorescence under specific wavelengths of light. Luc is an enzyme from the firefly Photinus pyralis that emits light when it catalyzes the oxidation of luciferin. These luminescent properties enable visualization and quantitative measurement of viral infection and replication in living cells. By integrating GFP or Luc into the HRSV genome, researchers can dynamically observe the viral life cycle, track its spread in real time, and evaluate the effectiveness of antiviral treatments.