Figure 1. Structure of vesicular stomatitis virus (PMID：34578125)

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is an enveloped, non-segmented, negative-strand RNA virus belonging to the Rhabdoviridae family. Its natural hosts include horses, cattle, and pigs. The viral genome consists of a single-stranded, negative-sense RNA molecule approximately 11 kb in length, containing 5 genes flanked by 3’-leader and 5’-trailer sequences. The gene order is 3’-leader-nucleoprotein (N)-phosphoprotein (P)-matrix protein (M)-glycoprotein (G)-large polymerase protein (L)-trailer-5’.

VSV holds promise as an oncolytic agent due to its short replication cycle, broad tissue tropism, and low risk of natural infection in humans. The oncolytic strategy of VSV leverages its sensitivity to type I interferon (IFN) responses. Tumor cells, due to defects in their type I IFN signaling pathways, are unable to effectively suppress VSV replication and spread. This allows the virus to selectively proliferate within tumor cells and exert its oncolytic effect.

Figure 2. VSV-induced antitumor mechanism (based on oncolytic virus research progress using VSV)