Antibody-Independent Protection against Rotavirus Infection of Mice Stimulated by Intranasal Immunization with Chimeric VP4 or VP6 Protein

This study was to determine whether individual rotavirus capsid proteins could stimulate protection against rotavirus shedding in an adult mouse model. BALB/c mice were intranasally or intramuscularly administered purified Escherichia coli-expressed murine rotavirus strain EDIM VP4, VP6, or truncated VP7 (TrVP7) protein fused to the 42.7-kDa maltose-binding protein (MBP). One month after the last immunization, mice were challenged with EDIM and shedding of rotavirus antigen was measured. When three 9-microg doses of one of the three rotavirus proteins fused to MBP were administered intramuscularly with the saponin adjuvant QS-21, serum rotavirus immunoglobulin G (IgG) was induced by each protein. Following EDIM challenge, shedding was significantly (P = 0.02) reduced (i.e., 38%) in MBP::VP6-immunized mice only. Three 9-micrograms doses of chimeric MBP::VP6 or MBP::TrVP7 administered intranasally with attenuated E. coli heat-labile toxin LT(R192G) also induced serum rotavirus IgG, but MBP::VP4 immunization stimulated no detectable rotavirus antibody. No protection against EDIM shedding was observed in the MBP::TrVP7-immunized mice. However, shedding was reduced 93 to 100% following MBP::VP6 inoculation and 56% following MBP::VP4 immunization relative to that of controls (P = <0.001). Substitution of cholera toxin for LT(R192G) as the adjuvant, reduction of the number of doses to 1, and challenge of the mice 3 months after the last immunization did not reduce the level of protection stimulated by intranasal administration of MBP::VP6. When MBP::VP6 was administered intranasally to B-cell-deficient microMt mice that made no rotavirus antibody, shedding was still reduced to <1% of that of controls. These results show that mice can be protected against rotavirus shedding by intranasal administration of individual rotavirus proteins and that this protection can occur independently of rotavirus antibody.     

Expression and purification of the SsbB protein from Streptococcus pneumoniae

The Gram positive bacterium, Streptococcus pneumoniae, has two genes, designated ssbA and ssbB, which are predicted to encode single-stranded DNA binding proteins (SSB proteins). We have shown previously that the SsbA protein is similar in size and in biochemical properties to the well-characterized SSB protein from Escherichia coli. The SsbB protein, in contrast, is a smaller protein and has no counterpart in E. coli. This report describes the development of an expression system and purification procedure for the SsbB protein. The ssbB gene was amplified from genomic S. pneumoniae DNA and cloned into the E. coli expression vector, pET21a. Although, we had shown previously that the SsbA protein is strongly expressed from pET21a in the E. coli strain BL21(DE3)pLysS, no expression of the SsbB protein was detected in these cells. However, the SsbB protein was strongly expressed from pET21a in the Rosetta(DE3)pLysS strain, a derivative of BL21(DE3)pLysS which supplies the tRNAs for six codons that are used infrequently in E. coli. The differential expression of the two SSB proteins in the parent BL21(DE3)pLysS strain was apparently due to the presence of two rare codons in the ssbB gene sequence that are not present in the ssbA sequence. Using the Rosetta(DE3)pLysS/pETssbB expression system, a protocol was developed in which the SsbB protein was purified to apparent homogeneity. DNA binding assays confirmed that the purified SsbB protein had single-stranded DNA binding activity. The expression and purification procedures reported here will facilitate further investigations into the biological role of the SsbB protein.     

A组人轮状病毒VP6基因克隆及在大肠杆菌中的高效表达

轮状病毒(rotavirus RV) 结构蛋白VP6位于病毒三层衣壳结构的中间层,在病毒粒子的形成过程中起重要的作用。从临床样品中分离的人轮状病毒TB-Chen株VP6基因通过RT-PCR得到扩增产物。以pET作为表达载体,将VP6蛋白编码基因序列插入到质粒pET中成功构建原核表达质粒pET-VP6。实验表明,带有pET-VP6质粒的大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)可以高效表达目的蛋白VP6,重组表达产物VP6占菌体总蛋白的27.4%, 其分子量约为45 kDa,并且能被豚鼠抗SA11血清抗体识别（Western blot）。这一结果为进一步研究VP6的结构和功能奠定了重要的物质基础。     

Expression of enterovirus 70 capsid protein VP1 in Escherichia coli

The VP1 gene of enterovirus 70 (EV70) possesses a large number of Escherichia coli low-usage codons (11.0%) and a bacterial ribosome binding site complementary sequence (RBSCS) 5'-UGUCUCCUUUUC-3' flanking the codon 139. Plasmids containing EV70 cDNA encoding the full-length VP1 failed to express in E. coli (BL21(DE3), Rosetta 2(DE3) or Rosetta (DE3)pLysS). High expression (>8% of total protein) of recombinant VP1 (rVP1m) in E. coli required engineering of the encoding cDNA (conserved modification of the native cDNA) by simultaneous substitution of a rare-codon cluster located between codons 103 and 132, and replacement of the RBSCS-TCCTTT sequence. The rare-codon frequencies of the cDNAs encoding VP1 non-overlapping terminal fragments N138 (1-138 aa) and C170 (141-310 aa) are similar (10.9 and 11.2%, respectively). However, in E. coli, high expression of recombinant C170 (rC170) required no modification of the native cDNA whereas high expression of recombinant N138 (rN138m) required minimal synonymous substitution of the above rare-codon cluster. The rare-codon cluster of EV70 VP1 gene has five least-usage arginine codons (AGG/AGA) and three tandem rare-codon pairs (AGGAGG, CUAAGG, and AGACUA). Our results suggest that the rare-codon cluster (its rare codon arrangement per se and/or its related mRNA secondary structure(s)) and the RBSCS in EV70 VP1 gene, not the rare-codon frequency, constitute the key elements that suppress its expression in E. coli.     

Association of gamma interferon and interleukin-17 production in intestinal CD4+ T cells with protection against rotavirus shedding in mice intranasally immunized with VP6 and the adjuvant LT(R192G)

Mucosal immunization of mice with chimeric, Escherichia coli-expressed VP6, the protein that comprises the intermediate capsid layer of the rotavirus particle, together with attenuated E. coli heat-labile toxin LT(R192G) as an adjuvant, reduces fecal shedding of rotavirus antigen by >95% after murine rotavirus challenge, and the only lymphocytes required for protection are CD4+ T cells. Because these cells produce cytokines with antiviral properties, the cytokines whose expression is upregulated in intestinal memory CD4+ T cells immediately after rotavirus challenge of VP6/LT(R192G)-immunized mice may be directly or indirectly responsible for the rapid suppression of rotavirus shedding. This study was designed to identify which cytokines are significantly upregulated in intestinal effector sites and secondary lymphoid tissues of intranasally immunized BALB/c mice after challenge with murine rotavirus strain EDIM. Initially, this was done by using microarray analysis to quantify mRNAs for 96 murine common cytokines. With this procedure, the synthesis of mRNAs for gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) was found to be temporarily upregulated in intestinal lymphoid cells of VP6/LT(R192G)-immunized mice at 12 h after rotavirus challenge. These cytokines were also produced in CD4+ T cells obtained from intestinal sites specific to VP6/LT(R192G)-immunized mice after in vitro exposure to VP6 as determined by intracellular cytokine staining and secretion of cytokines. Although genetically modified mice that lack receptors for either IFN-gamma or IL-17 remained protected after immunization, these results provide suggestive evidence that these cytokines may play direct or indirect roles in protection against rotavirus after mucosal immunization of mice with VP6/LT(R192G).     

Increased levels of recombinant human proteins with the Escherichia coli strain Rosetta(DE3)

The effect of two Escherichia coli expression strains on the production of recombinant human protein fragments was evaluated. High-throughput protein production projects, such as the Swedish Human Protein Atlas project, are dependent on high protein yield and purity. By changing strain from E. coli BL21(DE3) to E. coli Rosetta(DE3) the overall success rate of the protein production has increased dramatically. The Rosetta(DE3) strain compensates for a number of rare codons. Here, we describe how the protein expression of human gene fragments in E. coli strains BL21(DE3) and Rosetta(DE3) was evaluated in two stages. Initially a test set of 68 recombinant proteins that previously had been expressed in BL21(DE3) was retransformed and expressed in Rosetta(DE3). The test set generated very positive results with an improved expression yield and a significantly better purity of the protein product which prompted us to implement the Rosetta(DE3) strain in the high-throughput protein production. Except for analysis of protein yield and purity the sequences were also analyzed regarding number of rare codons and rare codon clusters. The content of rare codons showed to have a significant effect on the protein purity. Based on the results of this study the atlas project permanently changed expression strain to Rosetta(DE3).     

Cloning, expression, and purification of recombinant bovine rotavirus hemagglutinin, VP8*, in Escherichia coli

Rotavirus VP8* subunit is the minor trypsin cleavage product of the spike protein VP4, which is the major determinant of the viral infectivity and neutralization. To study the structure-function relationship of this fragment and to obtain type-specific reagents, substantial amounts of this protein are needed. Thus, full-length VP8* cDNA, including the entire trypsin cleavage-encoding region in gene 4, was synthesized and amplified by RT-PCR from total RNA purified from bovine rotavirus strain C486 propagated in MA104 cell culture. The extended VP8* cDNA (VP8ext) was cloned into the pGEM-T Easy plasmid and subcloned into the Escherichia coli expression plasmid pET28a(+). The correspondent 30 kDa protein was overexpressed in E. coli BL21(DE3)pLysS cells under the control of the T7 promoter. The identity and the antigenicity of VP8ext were confirmed on Western blots using anti-His and anti-rotavirus antibodies. Immobilized Ni-ion affinity chromatography was used to purify the expressed protein resulting in a yield of 4 mg of VP8ext per liter of induced E. coli culture. Our results indicate that VP8ext maintained its native antigenicity and specificity, providing a good source of antigen for the production of P type-specific immune reagents. Detailed structural analysis of pure recombinant VP8 subunit should allow a better understanding of its role in cell attachment and rotavirus tropism. Application of similar procedure to distinct rotavirus P serotypes should provide valuable P serotype-specific immune reagents for rotavirus diagnostics and epidemiologic surveys.     

Relative concentrations of serum neutralizing antibody to VP3 and VP7 proteins in adults infected with a human rotavirus.

Two outer capsid rotavirus proteins, VP3 and VP7, have been found to elicit neutralizing-antibody production, but the immunogenicity of these proteins during human rotavirus infection has not been determined. The relative amounts of serum neutralizing antibody against the VP3 and VP7 proteins of the CJN strain of human rotavirus were, therefore, determined in adult subjects before and after infection with this virus. Reassortant strains of rotavirus that contained the CJN gene segment for only one of these two neutralization proteins were isolated and used for this study. The geometric mean titer of serum neutralizing antibody to a reassortant virus (CJN-M) that contained VP7 of CJN and VP3 of another human rotavirus was 12.7 times less than that of antibody to CJN before infection and 20.3 times less after infection. This indicated that most neutralizing antibody was against the VP3 rather than the VP7 protein of CJN. This result was confirmed with other reassortants between CJN and animal rotavirus strains (EDIM and rhesus rotavirus). These findings suggest that VP3 is the primary immunogen that stimulates neutralizing antibody during at least some rotavirus infections of humans.     

Mice develop effective but delayed protective immune responses when immunized as neonates either intranasally with nonliving VP6/LT(R192G) or orally with live rhesus rotavirus vaccine candidates

Rotavirus vaccines are delivered early in life, when the immune system is immature. To determine the effects of immaturity on responses to candidate vaccines, neonatal (7 days old) and adult mice were immunized with single doses of either Escherichia coli-expressed rotavirus VP6 protein and the adjuvant LT(R192G) or live rhesus rotavirus (RRV), and protection against fecal rotavirus shedding following challenge with the murine rotavirus strain EDIM was determined. Neonatal mice immunized intranasally with VP6/LT(R192G) were unprotected at 10 days postimmunization (dpi) and had no detectable rotavirus B-cell (antibody) or CD4(+) CD8(+) T-cell (rotavirus-inducible, Th1 [gamma interferon and interleukin-2 {IL-2}]-, Th2 [IL-5 and IL-4]-, or ThIL-17 [IL-17]-producing spleen cells) responses. However, by 28 and 42 dpi, these mice were significantly (P >or= 0.003) protected and contained memory rotavirus-specific T cells but produced no rotavirus antibody. In contrast, adult mice were nearly fully protected by 10 dpi and contained both rotavirus immunoglobulin G and memory T cells. Neonates immunized orally with RRV were also less protected (P=0.01) than adult mice by 10 dpi and produced correspondingly less rotavirus antibody. Both groups contained few rotavirus-specific memory T cells. Protection levels by 28 dpi for neonates or adults were equal, as were rotavirus antibody levels. This report introduces a neonatal mouse model for active protection studies with rotavirus vaccines. It indicates that, with time, neonatal mice develop full protection after intranasal immunization with VP6/LT(R192G) or oral immunization with a live heterologous rotavirus and supports reports that protection depends on CD4(+) T cells or antibody, respectively.     

免疫荧光法检测原核和真核细胞中表达的轮状病毒外壳蛋白VP4

目的：用免疫荧光法快速检测原核和真核细胞中表达的轮状病毒（RV）外壳蛋白VP4。方法：以抗VP4的抗体为一抗、FITC标记的羊抗豚鼠IgG为二抗,用免疫荧光方法检测在大肠杆菌BL21（DE3）中重组表达的同源RVVP4;检测SA11或Wa株RV感染MA104细胞后不同时间段病毒VP4的合成及其在感染细胞中的分布情况。结果：用免疫荧光法可直接检测到原核细胞中表达的外源蛋白,也可检测到病毒蛋白在真核细胞中的分布情况。结论：免疫荧光法可特异、方便、快速地检测RV VP4在原核和真核细胞中的表达;来源于RV TB—Chen株的VP4抗体可特异性识别同源病毒VP4,交叉识别SA11或Wa株的VP4。     

Functional mapping of protective domains and epitopes in the rotavirus VP6 protein

The purpose of this study was to determine which regions of the VP6 protein of the murine rotavirus strain EDIM are able to elicit protection against rotavirus shedding in the adult mouse model following intranasal (i.n.) immunization with fragments of VP6 and a subsequent oral EDIM challenge. In the initial experiment, the first (fragment AB), middle (BC), or last (CD) part of VP6 that was genetically fused to maltose-binding protein (MBP) and expressed in Escherichia coli was examined. Mice (BALB/c) immunized with two 9-microg doses of each of the chimeras and 10 microg of the mucosal adjuvant LT(R192G) were found to be protected against EDIM shedding (80, 92, and nearly 100% reduction, respectively; P 相似文献   

海栖热袍菌极耐高温木聚糖酶基因xynB64在大肠杆菌中的融合表达

来源于极端嗜热菌海栖热袍菌(Thermotoga maritima MSB8)的木聚糖酶B具有极高的热稳定性,在饲料、造纸、能源和食品医药行业具有巨大应用潜力。携带酶基因xynB64的pET28a(+)重组载体在宿主大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中诱导表达,重组酶活力较低。更换宿主为携带稀有tRNA基因的大肠杆菌:BL21-CodonPlus(DE3)-RIPL和Rosetta(DE3)后,酶活力分别提高了197%和277%,但是后者中的表达会形成部分包涵体。宿主菌为大肠杆菌Rosetta(DE3),更换载体为4种融合表达载体pET32a(+)、pET42a(+)、pET43.1a(+)和pMAL-c2X进行表达,重组酶分别融合了Trx、GST、Nus和MBP标签。其中Rosetta(DE3)/pMAL-c2X-xynB64表达酶活力最高,相当于Rosetta(DE3)/pET28a-xynB64表达酶的88%,而且目的酶表达量占全细胞蛋白的40%,几乎不形成包涵体。     

A组人轮状病毒NSP3基因的克隆及其在大肠杆菌中的表达

目的:获得轮状病毒NSP3基因的表达产物及其抗血清。方法:将TB-Chen株轮状病毒NSP3基因插入质粒pETL,构建重组表达质粒pET-NSP3,并转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)表达重组蛋白NSP3;用凝胶分离回收的方法纯化该蛋白,免疫豚鼠制备该蛋白的抗血清。结果:构建了重组表达质粒pET-NSP3,并在大肠杆菌中高效表达了重组蛋白NSP3,目的蛋白表达量占菌体总蛋白量的28.6%;有效地纯化了目的蛋白并制备了该蛋白的抗血清,Western印迹表明该抗血清能与重组蛋白NSP3发生特异性免疫反应。结论:通过质粒pETL能高效表达轮状病毒NSP3蛋白,该重组蛋白具有较好的免疫反应性,为进一步研究其结构、功能及免疫学性质奠定了基础。     

High-level expression, polyclonal antibody preparation and sub-cellular localization analysis of mouse Rhox5 protein

Mouse reproductive homeobox on the X chromosome (Rhox) is a novel homeobox gene cluster. Rhox5, also called Pem, belongs to the beta subcluster of Rhox. Codon analysis indicated that the cDNA contains 16% of codons rarely used in Escherichia coli. To achieve high-level expression of Rhox5, the coding sequence of Rhox5 was amplified and subcloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pET22b (+) in order to produce 6His-tagged fusion protein in the modified BL21 (DE3) cells, namely Rosetta2 (DE3) cells. The 6His-tagged Rhox5 was expressed efficiently in Rosetta2 (DE3), compared with marginal expression in BL21 (DE3). The fusion protein amounted to 16% of the total bacterial proteins after induction with 0.4mM IPTG for 1.5h at 37 degrees C. After purification, Rhox5-6His was used to immunize New Zealand white rabbits following standard protocol. The homemade antiserum could detect both endogenous Rhox5 protein expressed in eukaryotic cells (Cos-7) and exogenous GFP-Rhox5 protein. Furthermore, the antiserum was used to determine the localization of Rhox5 in NIH3T3 cells using an immunofluorescence technique. The results demonstrated that Rhox5 was localized predominantly in the nucleus. Preparation of the anti-Rhox5 polyclonal antibody will facilitate further functional study of Rhox5.     

GⅡ.17型诺如病毒样颗粒的制备及鉴定

[背景]诺如病毒(Norovirus,NoV)是引发全球人类急性胃肠炎的主要食源性致病原,具有广泛的遗传多样性,其中GⅡ.17型是亚洲地区的优势流行株,危害最为严重.研究表明,通过基因工程技术制备的诺如病毒样颗粒(virus-like particle,VLP)具有良好的免疫保护作用,是目前NoV疫苗研发的主要思路.[...     

CD4 T Cells Are the Only Lymphocytes Needed To Protect Mice against Rotavirus Shedding after Intranasal Immunization with a Chimeric VP6 Protein and the Adjuvant LT(R192G)

Intranasal immunization of mice with a chimeric VP6 protein and the mucosal adjuvant Escherichia coli heat labile toxin LT(R192G) induces nearly complete protection against murine rotavirus (strain EDIM [epizootic diarrhea of infant mice virus]) shedding for at least 1 year. The aim of this study was to identify the protective lymphocytes elicited by this new vaccine candidate. Immunization of mouse strains lacking one or more lymphocyte populations revealed that protection was dependent on alphabeta T cells but mice lacking gammadelta T cells and B cells remained fully protected. Furthermore, depletion of CD8 T cells in immunized B-cell-deficient mice before challenge resulted in no loss of protection, while depletion of CD4 T cells caused complete loss of protection. Therefore, alphabeta CD4 T cells appeared to be the only lymphocytes required for protection. As confirmation, purified splenic T cells from immunized mice were intraperitoneally injected into Rag-2 mice chronically infected with EDIM. Transfer of 2 x 10(6) CD8 T cells had no effect on shedding, while transfer of 2 x 10(5) CD4 T cells fully resolved shedding in 7 days. Interestingly, transfer of naive splenic CD4 T cells also resolved shedding but more time and cells were required. Together, these results establish CD4 T cells as effectors of protection against rotavirus after intranasal immunization of mice with VP6 and LT(R192G).     

Overproduction in Escherichia coli and purification of Epstein-Barr virus EBNA-1

Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA-1) is a multi-functional protein of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Due to its low abundance in EBV-transformed cells, overproduction in a foreign host is preferred to obtain purified EBNA-1 protein. The EBNA-1 gene possesses a large number of Escherichia coli rare codons (23%). By using E. coli BL21(DE3)Rosetta2 cells that augment the low-abundance tRNA genes, the expression level of EBNA-1 in E. coli was greatly enhanced. EBNA-1 was then purified by applying the whole cell extract soluble fraction to a Ni-NTA Superflow column and eluting with an imidazole gradient. The improved overexpression in E. coli followed by a one-step Ni-NTA purification resulted in a sufficient amount of pure EBNA-1 protein to test DNA binding activity, and prepare and test EBNA-1-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs).     

A组轮状病毒VP6与霍乱毒素B亚基融合蛋白在大肠杆菌中的表达及生物活性分析

利用霍乱毒素B亚基 (CholeratoxinBsubunit,CTB)的免疫载体作用 ,将轮状病毒相关抗原引入口服免疫体系 ,可激起有效的粘膜免疫反应 ,这里报道了CTB基因与A组轮状病毒地方株T114VP6全基因的融合 ,并在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3 )中进行了融合蛋白的表达。在IPTG诱导下得到分子量为 5 6kD的融合蛋白 ,表达量占菌体蛋白的15 %。分别用抗CT的抗体和抗A组轮状病毒的高价免疫血清进行WesternBlot检测 ,结果证明融合蛋白CTB VP6保留了天然霍乱毒素B亚基及轮状病毒VP6的抗原性。G_M1-ELISA检测表明 ,复性后的融合蛋白具有与神经节苷脂GM1 结合的能力。     

研究报告Ⅱ型脊灰病毒抗原表位嵌合蛋白的免疫学研究

目的：评价以轮状病毒（RV）重组VP6蛋白为载体插入Ⅱ型脊髓灰质炎病毒（PV2）VP1蛋白上的1个抗原表位构建而成的嵌合蛋白的体外免疫学性质。 方法：采用分子克隆和基因重组技术将PV2抗原表位插入到RV载体蛋白上,在大肠杆菌中表达并用SDS-PAGE确认表达产物,再通过动物免疫、Western blot、免疫荧光和病毒血清抗体中和试验分析嵌合蛋白的免疫学性质。结果：成功构建了以VP6为载体的PV2抗原表位嵌合蛋白6F/PV₂N₁,并且在E.coli系统中高效表达,嵌合蛋白免疫的豚鼠血清抗体对RV和PV2具备较好的中和活性。结论：以RV VP6为载体构建的嵌合蛋白具有较好的免疫原性,免疫豚鼠产生血清抗体可中和RV和PV2在体外细胞上的感染;进一步为研发RV/PV2嵌合疫苗提供了较好的基础。     

Genetic variation in the VP4 and NSP4 genes of human rotavirus serotype 3 (G3 type) isolated in China and Japan

Sequence analyses of the VP4 and NSP4 genes were performed on twenty human isolates of serotype G3 rotavirus obtained from China and Japan. One isolate from China, CHW17, possessed P[4] genotype VP4 and KUN group NSP4 genes which are associated with G2. One isolate (02/92) from Japan, which was shown to have a wider spacing between RNA segments 10 and 11 by RNA polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis like AU-1, possessed P[9] genotype VP4 and AU-1 group NSP4 genes. The other isolates had P[8] genotype VP4 and Wa group NSP4 genes. While the nucleotide sequence conservation among the G3 VP7 genes was more than 79% (Wen et al, Arch. Virol., 1997, 142: 1481-1489), the conservation of VP4 and NSP4 genes in the same genotypes or groups was more than 85%.