Chimeric recombinant human metapneumoviruses with the nucleoprotein or phosphoprotein open reading frame replaced by that of avian metapneumovirus exhibit improved growth in vitro and attenuation in vivo

Chimeric versions of recombinant human metapneumovirus (HMPV) were generated by replacing the nucleoprotein (N) or phosphoprotein (P) open reading frame with its counterpart from the closely related avian metapneumovirus (AMPV) subgroup C. In Vero cells, AMPV replicated to an approximately 100-fold-higher titer than HMPV. Surprisingly, the N and P chimeric viruses replicated to a peak titer that was 11- and 25-fold higher, respectively, than that of parental HMPV. The basis for this effect is not known but was not due to obvious changes in the efficiency of gene expression. AMPV and the N and P chimeras were evaluated for replication, immunogenicity, and protective efficacy in hamsters. AMPV was attenuated compared to HMPV in this mammalian host on day 5 postinfection, but not on day 3, and only in the nasal turbinates. In contrast, the N and P chimeras were reduced approximately 100-fold in both the upper and lower respiratory tract on day 3 postinfection, although there was little difference by day 5. The N and P chimeras induced a high level of neutralizing serum antibodies and protective efficacy against HMPV; AMPV was only weakly immunogenic and protective against HMPV challenge, reflecting antigenic differences. In African green monkeys immunized intranasally and intratracheally, the mean peak titer of the P chimera was reduced 100- and 1,000-fold in the upper and lower respiratory tracts, whereas the N chimera was reduced only 10-fold in the lower respiratory tract. Both chimeras were comparable to wild-type HMPV in immunogenicity and protective efficacy. Thus, the P chimera is a promising live HMPV vaccine candidate that paradoxically combines improved growth in vitro with attenuation in vivo.     

Molecular Comparisons of Full Length Metapneumovirus (MPV) Genomes,Including Newly Determined French AMPV-C and –D Isolates,Further Supports Possible Subclassification within the MPV Genus

Four avian metapneumovirus (AMPV) subgroups (A–D) have been reported previously based on genetic and antigenic differences. However, until now full length sequences of the only known isolates of European subgroup C and subgroup D viruses (duck and turkey origin, respectively) have been unavailable. These full length sequences were determined and compared with other full length AMPV and human metapneumoviruses (HMPV) sequences reported previously, using phylogenetics, comparisons of nucleic and amino acid sequences and study of codon usage bias. Results confirmed that subgroup C viruses were more closely related to HMPV than they were to the other AMPV subgroups in the study. This was consistent with previous findings using partial genome sequences. Closer relationships between AMPV-A, B and D were also evident throughout the majority of results. Three metapneumovirus “clusters” HMPV, AMPV-C and AMPV-A, B and D were further supported by codon bias and phylogenetics. The data presented here together with those of previous studies describing antigenic relationships also between AMPV-A, B and D and between AMPV-C and HMPV may call for a subclassification of metapneumoviruses similar to that used for avian paramyxoviruses, grouping AMPV-A, B and D as type I metapneumoviruses and AMPV-C and HMPV as type II.     

Recovery of human metapneumovirus genetic lineages a and B from cloned cDNA

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a newly discovered pathogen associated with respiratory tract illness, primarily in young children, immunocompromised individuals, and the elderly. The genomic sequence of the prototype hMPV isolate NL/1/00 without the terminal leader and trailer sequences has been reported previously. Here we describe the leader and trailer sequences of two hMPV isolates, NL/1/00 and NL/1/99, representing the two main genetic lineages of hMPV. Minigenome constructs in which the green fluorescent protein or chloramphenicol acetyltransferase genes are flanked by the viral genomic ends derived from both hMPV lineages and transcribed using a T7 RNA polymerase promoter-terminator cassette were generated. Cotransfection of minigenome constructs with plasmids expressing the polymerase complex components L, P, N, and M2.1 in 293T or baby hamster kidney cells resulted in expression of the reporter genes. When the minigenome was replaced by a sense or antisense full-length cDNA copy of the NL/1/00 or NL/1/99 viral genomes, recombinant virus was recovered from transfected cells. Viral titers up to 10(7.2) and 10(5.7) 50% tissue culture infective dose/ml were achieved with the sense and antisense plasmids, respectively. The recombinant viruses replicated with kinetics similar to those of the parental viruses in Vero cells. This reverse genetics system provides an important new tool for applied and fundamental research.     

Rescue and Preliminary Application of a Recombinant Newcastle Disease Virus Expressing Green Fluorescent Protein Gene

Based on the complete genome sequence of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) ZJI strain, seven pairs of primers were designed to amplify a cDNA fragment for constructing the plasmid pNDV/ZJI, which contained the full-length cDNA of the NDV ZJI strain. The pNDV/ZJI, with three helper plasmids, pCIneoNP, pCIneoP and pCIneoL, were then cotransfected into BSR-T7/5 cells expressing T7 RNA polymerase. After inoculation of the transfected cell culture supernatant into embryonated chicken eggs from specific-pathogen-free (SPF) flock, an infectious NDV ZJI strain was successfully rescued. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene was amplified and inserted into the NDV full-length cDNA to generate a GFP-tagged recombinant plasmid pNDV/ZJIGFP. After cotransfection of the resultant plasmid and the three support plasmids into BSR-T7/5 cells, the recombinant NDV, NDV/ZJIGFP, was rescued. Specific green fluorescence was observed in BSR-T7/5 and chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cells 48h post-infection, indicating that the GFP gene was expressed at a relatively high level. NDV/ZJIGFP was inoculated into 10-day-old SPF chickens by oculonasal route. Four days post-infection, strong green fluorescence could be detected in the kidneys and tracheae, indicating that the recombinant GFP-tagged NDV could be a very useful tool for analysis of NDV dissemination and pathogenesis.     

用反向遗传技术致弱基因VIId型鹅源新城疫病毒ZJI株

将新城疫病毒ZJI株基因组cDNA全长分成7个片段,依次连接并克隆至TVT7R转录载体中,构建了含ZJI株全基因组cDNA的转录载体(pNDV/ZJI),pNDV/ZJI与3个辅助表达质粒pCI-NP、pCI-P和pCI-L共转染BSR-T7/5细胞,成功拯救出了具有感染性的新城疫病毒粒子。设计两对引物,经overlapPCR方法将该毒株F蛋白裂解位点的112、115和117位碱性氨基酸突变成弱毒株特征的非碱性氨基酸后,替换pNDV/ZJI上的对应序列,构建了转录载体pNDV/ZJIFM,将pNDV/ZJIFM与3个辅助表达质粒共转染BSR-T7/5细胞,成功拯救出了致弱的基因VIId型鹅源新城疫病毒NDV/ZJIFM,获救病毒的鸡胚最小致死剂量平均死亡时间(MDT)大于120h,同时该病毒的脑内接种致病指数(ICPI)为0.16,上述结果表明,获救病毒的毒力已被致弱,是一个较为理想的疫苗候选株。     

Efficient multiplication of human metapneumovirus in Vero cells expressing the transmembrane serine protease TMPRSS2

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a major causative agent of severe bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Its fusion (F) protein must be cleaved by host proteases to cause membrane fusion, a critical step for virus infection. By generating Vero cells constitutively expressing the transmembrane serine protease TMPRSS2 and green fluorescent protein-expressing recombinant HMPV, we show that TMPRSS2, which is expressed in the human lung epithelium, cleaves the HMPV F protein efficiently and supports HMPV multiplication. The results indicate that TMPRSS2 is a possible candidate protease involved in the development of lower respiratory tract illness in HMPV-infected patients.     

Rescue of recombinant Thogoto virus from cloned cDNA

Thogoto virus (THOV) is a tick-transmitted orthomyxovirus with a genome consisting of six negative-stranded RNA segments. To rescue a recombinant THOV, the viral structural proteins were produced from expression plasmids by means of a vaccinia virus expressing the T7 RNA polymerase. Genomic virus RNAs (vRNAs) were generated from plasmids under the control of the RNA polymerase I promoter. Using this system, we could efficiently recover recombinant THOV following transfection of 12 plasmids into 293T cells. To verify the recombinant nature of the rescued virus, specific genetic tags were introduced into two vRNA segments. The availability of this efficient reverse genetics system will allow us to address hitherto-unanswered questions regarding the biology of THOV by manipulating viral genes in the context of infectious virus.     

Rescue and preliminary application of a recombinant newcastle disease virus expressing green fluorescent protein gene

Based on the complete genome sequence of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) ZJI strain, seven pairs of primers were designed to amplify a cDNA fragment for constructing the plasmid pNDV/ZJI, which contained the full-length cDNA of the NDV ZJI strain. The pNDV/ZJI, with three helper plasmids, pCIneoNP, pCIneoP and pCIneoL, were then cotransfected into BSR-T7/5 cells expressing T7 RNA polymerase. After inoculation of the transfected cell culture supernatant into embryonated chicken eggs from specific-pathogen-free (SPF) flock, an infectious NDV ZJI strain was successfully rescued. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene was amplified and inserted into the NDV full-length cDNA to generate a GFP-tagged recombinant plasmid pNDV/ZJIGFP. After cotransfection of the resultant plasmid and the three support plasmids into BSR-T7/5 cells, the recombinant NDV, NDV/ZJIGFP, was rescued. Specific green fluorescence was observed in BSR-T7/5 and chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cells 48h post-infection, indicating that the GFP gene was expressed at a relatively high level. NDV/ZJIGFP was inoculated into 10-day-old SPF chickens by oculonasal route. Four days post-infection, strong green fluorescence could be detected in the kidneys and tracheae, indicating that the recombinant GFP-tagged NDV could be a very useful tool for analysis of NDV dissemination and pathogenesis.     

A novel 111‐nucleotide duplication in the G gene of human metapneumovirus

In 2017, novel human metapneumovirus (HMPV) A2b subgroup strains with a 111‐nucleotide duplication in the G gene was detected by the present team. These strains were related to previously identified HMPV A2b strains with a 180‐nucleotide duplication; however, they appeared to be different strains, produced by an independent duplication event. The recent evolution of HMPV suggests that careful monitoring of this virus is required.

     

含RGD受体结合位点口蹄疫病毒Asia1/JS/China/2005株的拯救及初步鉴定

摘要：【目的】构建含有RGD受体结合位点口蹄疫病毒（FMDV）Asia1/JS/China/2005株的全长感染性cDNA克隆。【方法】采用定点突变方法,构建Asia1型FMDV含有预期突变的全长cDNA克隆pFMDV-RGD。pFMDV-RGD重组质粒经NotI线化后,与表达T7 RNA聚合酶的真核质粒pcDNAT7P共转染BHK-21细胞,进行FMDV-RGD病毒拯救。【结果】序列测定结果表明成功构建了FMDV含有RGD受体位点的Asia1/JS/China/2005全长cDNA克隆。共转染实验获得拯救病毒,对拯救的病毒分别进行序列测定、间接免疫荧光、电子显微镜观察和乳鼠致病性分析,表明成功拯救了含有RGD受体结合位点的Asia1/JS/China/2005株FMDV。【结论】该实验为进一步研究含有RGD和RDD受体结合位点2个拯救病毒生物学特性的差异奠定了基础。     

含RGD受体结合位点口蹄疫病毒Asial/JS/China/2005株的拯救及初步鉴定

[目的]构建含有精氨酸.甘氨酸.天冬氨酸(RGD)受体结合位点口蹄疫病毒(FmDV)Asial/JS/Chind2005株的全长感染性cDNA克隆.[方法]采用定点突变方法,构建Asial型FMDV含有预期突变的全长cDNA克隆pFMDV-RGD.pFMDV-RGD重组质粒经NotI线化后,与表达T7 RNA聚合酶的真核质粒peDNATIP共转染BHK-21细胞,进行FMDV-RGD病毒拯救.[结果]序列测定结果表明成功构建了FMDV含有RGD受体位点的Asial/JS/China/2005全长cDNA克隆.共转染试验获得拯救病毒,对拯救的病毒分别进行序列测定、间接免疫荧光、电子显微镜观察和乳鼠致病性分析,表明成功拯救了含有RGD受体结合位点的Asial/JS/China/2005株FMDV.[结论]该试验为进一步研究含有RGD和RDD受体结合位点2个拯救病毒生物学特性的差异奠定了基础.