HIV-1衣壳蛋白的结构研究进展及应用策略分析

人类免疫缺陷病毒(HIV)已在全球蔓延并且出现了耐药性,急需开发新的高效、低毒的抗艾滋病药物和新的治疗策略。衣壳蛋白(CA)在HIV病毒颗粒的组装、成熟过程中的作用举足轻重,其单体主要由N端区域(NTD)和C端区域(CTD)组成。近年来HIV衣壳蛋白的空间精细结构得到了解析。本文总结了HIV衣壳蛋白在X射线晶体衍射技术下的空间结构特征,分别介绍了CA的NTD-NTD、NTD-CTD和CTD-CTD界面处的结构特征。本文也分析了基于HIV CA结构的AIDS治疗方法,并结合Crispr/Cas9基因编辑技术阐述了以CA为靶点的AIDS治疗新策略。     

利用细菌人工染色体技术构建整合F基因的重组MDV疫苗株*

目的:预防马立克氏病病毒(MDV)和新城疫病毒(NDV)混合感染鸡引起的疾病,构建表达NDV F蛋白的MDV疫苗株CVI988 BAC重组载体,并包装成重组病毒,为疫苗免疫提供更多的重组疫苗选择。方法:首先利用PCR扩增带有卡那霉素(Kanamycin,Kana)抗性基因片段的F基因,采用同源重组的方法将其整合到CVI988 BAC上,进一步诱导I-SceI表达敲除Kana基因而获得重组质粒CVI988 BAC-F。通过磷酸钙法转染鸡胚成纤维细胞获得重组病毒。结果:Western blot和间接免疫荧光实验证实重组病毒能够表达F蛋白。病毒生长曲线和蚀斑大小测定结果表明,F基因的插入不影响病毒的体外增殖。结论:利用BAC技术成功构建了整合F基因的重组MDV病毒CVI988 BAC-F,为MDV重组疫苗研发,防控NDV与MDV共感染奠定了基础。     

表达HIV-1多价合成基因的重组痘苗病毒疫苗株的构建

为研制适合我国使用的HIV疫苗,选择具有代表意义的中国流行株HIV CN54(B′/C)病毒gag、pol、nef等基因的合成基因syngpnef,插入到自行构建的能在病毒筛选过程中将标记基因去除掉的双标记基因痘苗病毒载体pVI75的KpnI酶切位点,构建成转移质粒pVI75-syngpnef,与我国的天坛株痘苗病毒共转染鸡胚成纤维细胞,通过蓝白斑筛选得到的重组病毒疫苗株DNA。经PCR鉴定标记基因已被删除并有目的基因的整合,Western blot可检测到目的基因的融合表达。此重组病毒疫苗株有望成为HIV/AIDS候选疫苗。     

A型塞内卡病毒的病毒样颗粒的制备及其免疫原性分析

为了研制A型塞内卡病毒 (Senecavirus A,SVA) 的病毒样颗粒 (Virus-like particles,VLPs) 疫苗,以SVA田间流行毒株CH-FJ-2017结构蛋白基因序列为研究对象,构建了能够同时表达SVA的3种结构蛋白VP0、VP1和VP3的单个原核重组表达质粒pET28a-SVA-VP031。通过大肠杆菌Escherichia coli表达、亲和层析纯化和体外自组装,获得SVA VLPs。透射电子显微镜鉴定显示,SVA的3种结构蛋白在体外能够自组装成直径约25–30 nm的VLPs,并且动物免疫试验结果表明,该VLPs能够有效刺激豚鼠产生高水平的抗原特异性中和抗体。上述研究结果为SVA VLPs疫苗的研制奠定了基础。     

一种新型细胞源性AIDS病疫苗正待试验

美国马里兰州巴尔的摩人类病毒研究所所长 Robert Gallo今年 5月公布了他们将在近两年内在巴尔的摩和乌干达两地试验新型艾滋病疫苗的计划 .这种疫苗是由人类病毒所疫苗组主任 George Lewis及其同事David Hone研制的 .与其它抗 HIV疫苗不同 ,新型疫苗可口服 ,并采用沙门氏菌作为 HIV基因的载体 .当非致病的沙门氏菌携带 HIV gag蛋白及其他病毒蛋白片段编码基因 (这些基因最初曾被牛津大学的 An-drew Me Michael制作裸 DNA疫苗 )进入人体细胞后 ,缺陷型沙门氏菌的细胞壁破裂并释放病毒 DNA,宿主细胞将其转录、翻译为 HIV蛋白 ,从…     

EIAV与HIV分子生物学相关性研究进展

马传染性贫血病毒 (equineinfectiousanemiavirus,EIAV)与人类免疫缺陷病毒(humanimmunodeficiencyvirus ,HIV)同属逆转录病毒科、慢病毒属成员。两者在形态结构、抗原特性、基因组构成以及病毒与宿主的持续作用等方面极为相似 ,且EIAV具有独特的快速发病进程和明显的病程分界 ,使其成为研究HIV的基因变异与临床症状之间相互关系的理想动物模型。EIAV疫苗是我国拥有自立知识产权的世界上唯一的慢病毒疫苗 ,以该疫苗为基础 ,开发新型HIV疫苗将成为今后的发展策略。近年国内外学者对EIAV及HIV的分子生物学进行了深入研究 ,确定了与病毒毒力相关的某些基因及编码蛋白 ,并在疫苗的研究上取得了一定进展。     

人类免疫缺陷病毒包膜蛋白的表达系统

人类免疫缺陷病毒(HIV)的包膜蛋白含有HIV最重要的抗原成分,一直是HIV的研究热点。高质量、高水平的表达HIV包膜蛋白对于HIV诊断试剂、中和抗体和疫苗的研究都至关重要,但HIV包膜蛋白糖基化严重,且疏水区多,不利于蛋白的表达获取。本文综合分析了目前常用于HIV包膜蛋白生产的几大表达系统,主要包括大肠杆菌、酵母、植物及哺乳动物细胞表达系统。     

万能修复者不再“万能”

HIV-1是艾滋病病毒(HIV)感染细胞所释放的一种不成熟、无感染性的病毒颗粒,包裹在由Gap 蛋白所组成的蛋白质壳体中。Gap 蛋白要分裂成更小的蛋白质才能形成感染性病毒粒子。     

重组HIV-1壳体蛋白在转基因枸杞根系中的分泌表达

P24壳体蛋白（capsid, CA）是HIV¬-1早期感染的一个重要标志.用含有植物表达载体pCAMBIA 1305.2- MA4-CA（包含GRP信号肽和MA4-CA融合基因）的农杆菌菌株侵染枸杞,将转有MA4-CA融合基因的转化株诱导生根，并进行毛状根的培养; western blot证实根系及培养液中的MA4-CA融合蛋白以二聚体的形式存在，分子量为50 kDa；免疫组织化学显示，CA定位在细胞浆、细胞壁和细胞间隙中，充分证实了利用GRP信号肽可以引导重组蛋白分泌表达。建立枸杞中HIV-1壳体蛋白的根分泌表达系统，为研究植物HIV-1 CA-病毒样颗粒（VLPs）疫苗奠定基础。     

重组HIV-AEgp145和SIV-envT基因的rAAV8在小鼠体内的免疫原性研究

病毒性载体疫苗是一种有前途的艾滋病疫苗.为了构建以重组腺相关病毒8型(recombinant adeno associated virus type 8,rAAV8)为载体,表达HIV或SIV包膜蛋白的艾滋病疫苗.同时在小鼠体内对其免疫原性进行评价,为下一步研究奠定基础.本研究分别构建了表达HIVAE亚型和SIVmac239株包膜蛋白(不含胞内区)的rAAV8-AEgp145和rAAV8-SIVenvT两种重组病毒,并通过PCR和WesternBlot方法对重组病毒进行了体外鉴定.将两种重组病毒分别接种BALB/c小鼠,应用ELISA和ELISPOT方法检测小鼠的HIV/SIV特异性抗体滴度和细胞免疫应答强度.结果显示,rAAV8能够在293T细胞中高效表达HIV AEgp145和SIVenvT基因.小鼠接种两种重组病毒3-5W后,均能检测到gp120特异性抗体和env特异性细胞免疫应答,并且在16-20W后反应强度仍显著高于对照组.以上结果提示,携带HIVAEgp145和SIVenvT基因的rAAV8载体能够在小鼠体内诱导中等强度并且持续时间较长的特异性体液和细胞免疫应答.     

Proteolytic refolding of the HIV-1 capsid protein amino-terminus facilitates viral core assembly.

After budding, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) must 'mature' into an infectious viral particle. Viral maturation requires proteolytic processing of the Gag polyprotein at the matrix-capsid junction, which liberates the capsid (CA) domain to condense from the spherical protein coat of the immature virus into the conical core of the mature virus. We propose that upon proteolysis, the amino-terminal end of the capsid refolds into a beta-hairpin/helix structure that is stabilized by formation of a salt bridge between the processed amino-terminus (Pro1) and a highly conserved aspartate residue (Asp51). The refolded amino-terminus then creates a new CA-CA interface that is essential for assembling the condensed conical core. Consistent with this model, we found that recombinant capsid proteins with as few as four matrix residues fused to their amino-termini formed spheres in vitro, but that removing these residues refolded the capsid amino-terminus and redirected protein assembly from spheres to cylinders. Moreover, point mutations throughout the putative CA-CA interface blocked capsid assembly in vitro, core assembly in vivo and viral infectivity. Disruption of the conserved amino-terminal capsid salt bridge also abolished the infectivity of Moloney murine leukemia viral particles, suggesting that lenti- and oncoviruses mature via analogous pathways.     

VLP vaccines and effects of HIV-1 Env protein modifications on their antigenic properties

An ideal protective HIV-1 vaccine can elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies, capable of preventing HIV transmission. The strategies of designing vaccines include generation of soluble recombinant proteins which mimic the native Env complex and are able to enhance the immunogenicity of gp120. Recent data indicate that the cytoplasmic tail (CT) of the Env protein has multiple functions, which can affect the early steps of infection, as well as viral assembly and antigenic properties. Modifications in the CT can be used to induce conformational changes in functional regions of gp120 and to stabilize the trimeric structure, avoiding immune misdirection and induction of non-neutralizing antibody responses. Env-trimers with modified CTs in virus-like particles (VLPs) are able to induce antibodies with broad spectrum neutralizing activity and high avidity and have the potential for developing an effective vaccine against HIV.     

N-Terminal Extension of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Capsid Protein Converts the In Vitro Assembly Phenotype from Tubular to Spherical Particles

Expression of retroviral Gag polyproteins is sufficient for morphogenesis of virus-like particles with a spherical immature protein shell. Proteolytic cleavage of Gag into the matrix (MA), capsid (CA), nucleocapsid (NC), and p6 domains (in the case of human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]) leads to condensation to the mature cone-shaped core. We have analyzed the formation of spherical or cylindrical particles on in vitro assembly of purified HIV proteins or inside Escherichia coli cells. CA protein alone yielded cylindrical particles, while all N-terminal extensions of CA abolished cylinder formation. Spherical particles with heterogeneous diameters or amorphous protein aggregates were observed instead. Extending CA by 5 amino acids was sufficient to convert the assembly phenotype to spherical particles. Sequences C-terminal of CA were not required for sphere formation. Proteolytic cleavage of N-terminally extended CA proteins prior to in vitro assembly led to the formation of cylindrical particles, while proteolysis of in vitro assembly products caused disruption of spheres but not formation of cylinders. In vitro assembly of CA and extended CA proteins in the presence of cyclophilin A (CypA) at a CA-to-CypA molar ratio of 10:1 yielded significantly longer cylinders and heterogeneous spheres, while higher concentrations of CypA completely disrupted particle formation. We conclude that the spherical shape of immature HIV particles is determined by the presence of an N-terminal extension on the CA domain and that core condensation during virion maturation requires the liberation of the N terminus of CA.     

Systemic and mucosal immunity in rhesus macaques immunized with HIV-1 peptide and gp120 conjugated to Brucella abortus

HIV vaccine testing in primates is an important method for determining the possibility of vaccine benefit in humans. Goals of HIV-1 vaccination include establishing neutralizing antibodies and a strong CD8(+) T-cell response. We tested a novel vaccine conjugate for its ability to elicit relevant immune responses to HIV proteins and peptides in rhesus macaques. A neutralizing epitope, V3 loop peptide from HIV-1 envelope, was coupled to heat-inactivated Brucella abortus (V3-HKBA). Rhesus macaques were immunized with this conjugate in the anterior thigh. After two immunizations V3-specific antibodies were found in the sera and at mucosal sites. Neutralizing activity of these antibodies was demonstrated by syncytia inhibition assays. Cellular immune recall responses were demonstrated by antigen-specific induction of interferon-gamma and Regulation on Activation Noraml T Cell Expressed and Secreted (RANTES) secretion in vitro. These results confirm and extend preliminary studies in mice that suggest HKBA is an effective carrier that promotes neutralizing antibody secretion at relevant mucosal sites, as well as cellular immune responses that are correlated with viral protection.     

The HIV-1 capsid protein C-terminal domain in complex with a virus assembly inhibitor

Immature HIV particles bud from infected cells after assembly at the cytoplasmic side of cellular membranes. This assembly is driven by interactions between Gag polyproteins. Mature particles, each containing a characteristic conical core, are later generated by proteolytic maturation of Gag in the virion. The C-terminal domain of the HIV-1 capsid protein (C-CA) has been shown to contain oligomerization determinants essential for particle assembly. Here we report the 1.7-A-resolution crystal structure of C-CA in complex with a peptide capable of inhibiting immature- and mature-like particle assembly in vitro. The peptide inserts as an amphipathic alpha-helix into a conserved hydrophobic groove of C-CA, resulting in formation of a compact five-helix bundle with altered dimeric interactions. This structure thus reveals the details of an allosteric site in the HIV capsid protein that can be targeted for antiviral therapy.     

Trivalent Combination Vaccine Induces Broad Heterologous Immune Responses to Norovirus and Rotavirus in Mice

Rotavirus (RV) and norovirus (NoV) are the two major causes of viral gastroenteritis (GE) in children worldwide. We have developed an injectable vaccine design to prevent infection or GE induced with these enteric viruses. The trivalent combination vaccine consists of NoV capsid (VP1) derived virus-like particles (VLPs) of GI-3 and GII-4 representing the two major NoV genogroups and tubular RV recombinant VP6 (rVP6), the most conserved and abundant RV protein. Each component was produced in insect cells by a recombinant baculovirus expression system and combined in vitro. The vaccine components were administered intramuscularly to BALB/c mice either separately or in the trivalent combination. High levels of NoV and RV type specific serum IgGs with high avidity (>50%) as well as intestinal IgGs were detected in the immunized mice. Cross-reactive IgG antibodies were also elicited against heterologous NoV VLPs not used for immunization (GII-4 NO, GII-12 and GI-1 VLPs) and to different RVs from cell cultures. NoV-specific serum antibodies blocked binding of homologous and heterologous VLPs to the putative receptors, histo-blood group antigens, suggesting broad NoV neutralizing activity of the sera. Mucosal antibodies of mice immunized with the trivalent combination vaccine inhibited RV infection in vitro. In addition, cross-reactive T cell immune responses to NoV and RV-specific antigens were detected. All the responses were sustained for up to six months. No mutual inhibition of the components in the trivalent vaccine combination was observed. In conclusion, the NoV GI and GII VLPs combination induced broader cross-reactive and potentially neutralizing immune responses than either of the VLPs alone. Therefore, trivalent vaccine might induce protective immune responses to the vast majority of circulating NoV and RV genotypes.     

Vaccine with bacterium-like particles displaying HIV-1 gp120 trimer elicits specific mucosal responses and neutralizing antibodies in rhesus macaques

Preclinical studies have shown that the induction of secretory IgA (sIgA) in mucosa and neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) in sera is essential for designing vaccines that can effectively block the transmission of HIV-1. We previously showed that a vaccine consisting of bacterium-like particles (BLPs) displaying Protan-gp120AE-MTQ (PAM) could induce mucosal immune responses through intranasal (IN) immunization in mice and NAbs through intramuscular (IM) immunization in guinea pigs. Here, we evaluated the ability of this vaccine BLP-PAM to elicit HIV-1-specific mucosal and systemic immune responses through IN and IM immunization combination strategies in rhesus macaques. First, the morphology, antigenicity and epitope accessibility of the vaccine were analysed by transmission electron microscopy, bio-layer interferometry and ELISA. In BLP-PAM-immunized macaques, HIV-1-specific sIgA were rapidly induced through IN immunization in situ and distant mucosal sites, although the immune responses are relatively weak. Furthermore, the HIV-1-specific IgG and IgA antibody levels in mucosal secretions were enhanced and maintained, while production of serum NAbs against heterologous HIV-1 tier 1 and 2 pseudoviruses was elicited after IM boost. Additionally, situ mucosal responses and systemic T cell immune responses were improved by rAd2-gp120AE boost immunization via the IN and IM routes. These results suggested that BLP-based delivery in combination with the IN and IM immunization approach represents a potential vaccine strategy against HIV-1.     

Development of DNA vaccines for foot-and-mouth disease, evaluation of vaccines encoding replicating and non-replicating nucleic acids in swine.

We have developed naked DNA vaccine candidates for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), an important disease of domestic animals. The virus that causes this disease, FMDV, is a member of the picornavirus family, which includes many important human pathogens, such as poliovirus, hepatitis A virus, and rhinovirus. Picornaviruses are characterized by a small (7-9000 nucleotide) RNA genome that encodes capsid proteins, processing proteinases, and enzymes required for RNA replication. We have developed two different types of DNA vaccines for FMD. The first DNA vaccine, pP12X3C, encodes the viral capsid gene (P1) and the processing proteinase (3C). Cells transfected with this DNA produce processed viral antigen, and animals inoculated with this DNA using a gene gun produced detectable antiviral immune responses. Mouse inoculations with this plasmid, and with a derivative containing a mutation in the 3C proteinase, indicated that capsid assembly was essential for induction of neutralizing antibody responses. The second DNA vaccine candidate, pWRMHX, encodes the entire FMDV genome, including the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, permitting the plasmid-encoded viral genomes to undergo amplification in susceptible cells. pWRMHX encodes a mutation at the cell binding site, preventing the replicated genomes from causing disease. Swine inoculated with this vaccine candidate produce viral particles lacking the cell binding site, and neutralizing antibodies that recognize the virus. Comparison of the immune responses elicited by pP12X3C and pWRMHX in swine indicate that the plasmid encoding the replicating genome stimulated a stronger immune response, and swine inoculated with pWRMHX by the intramuscular, intradermal, or gene gun routes were partially protected from a highly virulent FMD challenge.     

Immunological Characterization of Plant-Based HIV-1 Gag/Dgp41 Virus-Like Particles

It is widely anticipated that a prophylactic vaccine may be needed to control the HIV/AIDS epidemic worldwide. Despite over two decades of research, a vaccine against HIV-1 remains elusive, although a recent clinical trial has shown promising results. Recent studies have focused on highly conserved domains within HIV-1 such as the membrane proximal external region (MPER) of the envelope glycoprotein, gp41. MPER has been shown to play critical roles in mucosal transmission of HIV-1, though this peptide is poorly immunogenic on its own. Here we provide evidence that plant-produced HIV-1 enveloped virus-like particles (VLPs) consisting of Gag and a deconstructed form of gp41 comprising the MPER, transmembrane, and cytoplasmic domains (Dgp41) provides an effective platform to display MPER for use as an HIV vaccine candidate. Prime-boost strategies combining systemic and mucosal priming with systemic boosting using two different vaccine candidates (VLPs and CTB-MPR—a fusion of MPER and the B-subunit of cholera toxin) were investigated in BALB/c mice. Serum antibody responses against both the Gag and gp41 antigens were elicited when systemically primed with VLPs. These responses could be recalled following systemic boosting with VLPs. In addition, mucosal priming with VLPs allowed for a boosting response against Gag and gp41 when boosted with either candidate. Importantly, the VLPs also induced Gag-specific CD4 and CD8 T-cell responses. This report on the immunogenicity of plant-based Gag/Dgp41 VLPs may represent an important milestone on the road towards a broadly efficacious and inexpensive subunit vaccine against HIV-1.     

同时表达蓝舌病毒四个主要结构蛋白可装配成病毒样颗粒

为研制蓝舌病毒（ｂｌｕｅｔｏｎｇｕｅ ｖｉｒｕｓ,ＢＴＶ）基因工程疫苗和进一步研究ＢＴＶ结构与功能的关系,对ＢＴＶ病毒样颗粒（ＶＬＰ）的装配进行了研究。同时在昆虫细胞中表达ＢＴＶ主要结构蛋白ＶＰ７、ＶＰ３、ＶＰ２与ＶＰ５,将细胞裂解液超速离心纯化后,发现主要存在两 形态的颗粒：一种与前文报道的病毒核心颗粒（ＣＬＰ）相同,直径约为６０ｎｍ￣７０ｎｍ,蛋白壳厚１０ｎｍ￣１５ｎｍ;另一种大小为７０ｎｍ￣