中国株EIAV S2基因逆向突变感染性克隆的构建及体外感染性评价

以中国株EIAV的驴强毒株EIAVDV115与疫苗株EIAVFDDV15的S2基因变化规律为依据,利用反向遗传技术对EIAV弱毒疫苗株全基因组感染性克隆pFDDV3-8的S2基因区进行逆向突变,构建了含有强毒株EIAVDV115S2基因区内4个稳定点突变的克隆质粒pFDDVS2r1-3-4-5,将该质粒转染FDD后进行体外继代盲传,经RT-PCR、逆转录酶活性、间接免疫荧光等检测后,显示经EIAV克隆质粒pFDDVS2r1-3-4-5转染的FDD盲传3代后,可在转染的FDD细胞培养物的上清液中检测到EIAV逆转录酶活性;该细胞培养物经RT-PCR和间接免疫荧光检测均呈EIAV阳性;在电镜下可观察到典型EIAV粒子。证明已成功拯救经EIAVS2基因逆向突变后的衍生病毒vpFDDVS2r1-3-4-5。比较vpFDDVS2r1-3-4-5衍生病毒与亲本克隆衍生病毒的复制动力学,表明前者的复制比后者略滞后。以上结果提示,对疫苗株S2基因的突变未明显影响EIAV的体外复制。     

拼接信号序列单碱基变异提高马传染性贫血病毒mRNA拼接效率

分别以马传染性贫血(马传贫)驴强毒(D—A EIAV)RNA和马传贫驴白细胞弱毒疫苗(DLA EIAV)RNA为模板,利用RT—PCR的方法,克隆到马传贫强、弱毒株基因组外显子2及其下游的核苷酸序列。然后将报告基因CAT插入到EIAV内含子2env阅读框架中,构成CAT拼接报告系统。同时在强毒株重组表达质粒的基础上,将其外显子-3上游拼接受体位点的核苷酸序列CAG突变为弱毒株相应位置的核苷酸序列TAG,得到强毒单核苷酸突变株重组表达质粒。用构建的3个重组表达质粒DNA转染驴血白细胞,ELISA检测转染细胞CAT浓度。结果表明：EIAV强毒株重组表达质粒中CAT蛋白表达量最高,EIAV强毒株重组表达质粒次之,EIAV强毒突变株重组表达质粒最低。由于CAT基因被插入于各重组质粒中的EIAV内含子-2里,EIAV外显子-2、3之间的拼接可导致该基因的删除,因而其拼接效率低于EIAVmRNA外显子-2、3之间的拼接效率。实验数据表明,EIAV SA2拼接信号序列单碱基变异提高了SD2-SA2拼接效率;D—AEIAV SA2-SD2拼接效率比DLA EIAV相应位点拼接效率高。     

特异性标记EIAV感染性克隆的构建及鉴定

用FLAGTM或6 His对EIAV疫苗株全基因感染性克隆pFD3的S2分子进行分子标记,以建立EIAV疫苗株与野毒株感染鉴别诊断的方法.标记产物pFD3-FLAG和pFD3-HISADD转染驴胎皮细胞 (FDD)后收获衍生病毒并用逆转录酶活性检测和PCR方法确定其感染性. 在FDD细胞上盲传至第五代后收获细胞培养上清再感染驴单核巨噬细胞 (DL),盲传三代后pFD3-FLAG RT酶活性显示弱阳性,未见明显的细胞病变;pFD3-HISADD为强阳性,且细胞病变效应明显,在电镜下可见明显的病毒颗粒.与父本克隆pFD3相比,在细胞水平上二者复制特性有明显的不同.证明在DL细胞上S2基因的完整性是病毒复制很重要的因素.     

特异性标记EIAV感染性克隆的构建及鉴定

用FLAG^TM或6His对EIAV疫苗株全基因感染性克隆pFD3的S2分子进行分子标记,以建立EIAV疫苗株与野毒株感染鉴别诊断的方法。标记产物pFD3-FLAG和pFD3-HISADD转染驴胎皮细胞(FDD)后收获衍生病毒并用逆转录酶活性检测和PCR方法确定其感染性。在FDD细胞上盲传至第五代后收获细胞培养上清再感染驴单核巨噬细胞(DL),盲传三代后pFD3-FLAGRT酶活性显示弱阳性,未见明显的细胞病变;pFD3-HISADD为强阳性,且细胞病变效应明显,在电镜下可见明显的病毒颗粒。与父本克隆pFD3相比,在细胞水平上二者复制特性有明显的不同。证明在DL细胞上S2基因的完整性是病毒复制很重要的因素。     

马传染性贫血病毒N-连接糖基化回复突变的感染性克隆构建

根据马传贫强毒株EIAV-L和疫苗株EIAV-FDD表面蛋白gp90的N-连接糖基化的变化规律,采用PCR定点突变的方法,对全长感染性克隆pLGFD3-8上的N-连接糖基化的差异区域进行改造后,构建成含有3个N-连接糖基化位点突变的感染性克隆pLGNl91N236N246.将其转染驴胎皮肤细胞(FDD),通过用逆转录酶活性、间接免疫荧光和RT-PCR方法检测而确定其感染性.结果表明,在FDD细胞中盲传三代后,在细胞培养物中可检测到逆转录酶活性,RT-PCR和间接免疫荧光检测均呈阳性,电镜下见到典型的EIAV颗粒.这一结果可能对N-连接糖基化在我国马传贫弱毒疫苗致弱机理的作用研究而奠定良好的基础.     

马传染性贫血病毒强、弱毒株dUTPase结构与酶活性比较

为研究尿嘧啶脱氧核糖核苷三磷酸酶(dUTPase)在马传染性贫血病毒(equine infectous anemia virus,EIAV)致弱过程中的作用,探索dUTPase结构与功能的关系,分别对EIAV强、弱毒株dUTPase的编码基因进行了结构分析,并在大肠杆菌中进行了表达.经镍-次氮基三乙酸(Ni-NTA)金属亲合层析方法对表达产物纯化后,用3H标记底物的方法测定了重组强、弱毒株dUTPase的活性.证明所表达的两种重组dUTPase均具有水解dUTP的功能,但重组弱毒株dUTPase的活性显著高于重组强毒株dUTPase的活性.结果提示,由于EIAV疫苗株在驴白细胞上连续传代培养,使病毒dUTPase的活性增强和复制能力提高,而决定酶活性改变的分子基础是dUTPase编码基因中的两个氨基酸发生了突变.此结果对其它慢病毒病的免疫预防具有重要参考价值.     

逆向突变型EIAV全长基因组感染性克隆的构建及体外感染性评价

在已有全长基因组感染性克隆pLGFD3-8的基础上,按照疫苗制作过程中EIAV结构基因的变化规律,对其中gag基因进行定点逆向回复改造.并在gag突变的基础上增加env突变位点.将所改造的突变克隆转染驴胎皮肤细胞(FDD)以及驴单核巨噬细胞(DL),并用逆转录酶活性检测和RT-PCR方法验证其感染性.结果发现,衍生病毒感染上述两种细胞均出现明显的细胞病变效应;细胞培养上清可检测到RT酶活性和RT-PCR阳性.电镜下可见大量典型的病毒颗粒.然而单核巨噬细胞培养病毒感染滴度要明显高于驴胎皮肤细胞培养病毒滴度.驴胎皮肤细胞内嵌合克隆衍生病毒和父本克隆衍生病毒的复制动力学比较分析显示前者的复制比后者略有滞后.此结果为深入研究马传染性贫血病毒致病的分子机制和疫苗保护机理奠定了基础.     

逆向突变型EIAV全长基因组感染性克隆的构建及体外感染性评价

在已有全长基因组感染性克隆 pLGFD3 8的基础上,按照疫苗制作过程中 EIAV结构基因的变化规律,对其中gag基因进行定点逆向回复改造。并在gag突变的基础上增加env 突变位点。将所改造的突变克隆转染驴胎皮肤细胞(FDD)以及驴单核巨噬细胞(DL),并用逆转录酶活性检测和 RT PCR方法验证其感染性。结果发现,衍生病毒感染上述两种细胞均出现明显的细胞病变效应;细胞培养上清可检测到 RT酶活性和 RT PCR阳性。电镜下可见大量典型的病毒颗粒。然而单核巨噬细胞培养病毒感染滴度要明显高于驴胎皮肤细胞培养病毒滴度。驴胎皮肤细胞内嵌合克隆衍生病毒和父本克隆衍生病毒的复制动力学比较分析显示前者的复制比后者略有滞后。此结果为深入研究马传染性贫血病毒致病的分子机制和疫苗保护机理奠定了基础。     

逆向突变型ELAV全长基因组感染性克隆的构建及体外感染性评价

在已有全长基因组感染性克隆pLGFD3-8的基础上,按照疫苗制作过程中EIAV结构基因的变化规律,对其中gag基因进行定点逆向回复改造。并在gag突变的基础上增加e一突变位点。将所改造的突变克隆转染驴胎皮肤细胞(FDD)以及驴单核巨噬细胞(DL),并用逆转录酶活性检测和RT-PCR方法验证其感染性。结果发现,衍生病毒感染上述两种细胞均出现明显的细胞病变效应;细胞培养上清可检测到RT酶活性和RT-PCR阳性。电镜下可见大量典型的病毒颗粒。然而单核巨噬细胞培养病毒感染滴度要明显高于驴胎皮肤细胞培养病毒滴度。驴胎皮肤细胞内嵌合克隆衍生病毒和父本克隆衍生病毒的复制动力学比较分析显示前者的复制比后者略有滞后。此结果为深入研究马传染性贫血病毒致病的分子机制和疫苗保护机理奠定了基础。     

马传染性贫血病毒基因非编码区LTR嵌合克隆的构建

在已有全长感染性克隆pLGFD3-8和pD70344的基础上,根据马传贫弱毒疫苗致弱过程中不同代次毒株LTR序列的分析,在LTR U3区选取特定的酶切位点对EIAV非编码区LTR基因进行了部分替换.将替换的全基因克隆转染驴胎皮肤细胞(FDD)并以驴白细胞(DL)传代,用逆转录酶活性检测、RT-PCR方法及Real-time RT-PCR验证其感染性.结果发现,其衍生病毒感染上述两种细胞均出现明显的细胞病变;细胞培养上清可检测到RT酶活性和RT-PCR阳性.电镜下可见大量典型的EIAV颗粒.pLGFD9-12嵌合克隆衍生病毒与其父本克隆衍生病毒pLGFD3-8具有相似的复制水平,pLGFD9-12嵌合克隆衍生病毒在DL细胞上复制水平略高于FDD细胞.此结果为进一步深入研究LTR对马传染性贫血病毒复制水平和毒力的影响奠定了基础.     

Insights into vaccine development for acquired immune deficiency syndrome from crystal structures of human immunodeficiency virus‐1 gp41 and equine infectious anemia virus gp45

An effective vaccine against acquired immune deficiency syndrome is still unavailable after dozens of years of striving. The glycoprotein gp41 of human immunodeficiency virus is a good candidate as potential immunogen because of its conservation and relatively low glycosylation. As a reference of human immunodeficiency virus gp41, gp45 from equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) could be used for comparison because both wild‐type and vaccine strain of EIAV have been extensively studied. From structural studies of these proteins, the conformational changes during viral invasion could be unveiled, and a more effective acquired immune deficiency syndrome vaccine immunogen might be designed based on this information.     

Antigenic analysis of equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) variants by using monoclonal antibodies: epitopes of glycoprotein gp90 of EIAV stimulate neutralizing antibodies.

Monoclonal antibodies produced against the prototype cell-adapted Wyoming strain of equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV), a lentivirus, were studied for reactivity with the homologous prototype and 16 heterologous isolates. Eighteen hybridomas producing monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were isolated. Western blot (immunoblot) analyses indicated that 10 were specific for the major envelope glycoprotein (gp90) and 8 for the transmembrane glycoprotein (gp45). Four MAbs specific to epitopes of gp90 neutralized prototype EIAV infectivity. These neutralizing MAbs apparently reacted with variable regions of the envelope gp90, as evidenced by their unique reactivity with the panel of isolates, suggesting recognition of at least three different neutralization epitopes. The conformation of these epitopes appears to be continuous, as they resisted treatment with sodium dodecyl sulfate and reducing reagents. Monoclonal antibodies that reacted with conserved epitopes on gp90 or gp45 failed to neutralize EIAV. Our data also demonstrated that there was a large spectrum of possible EIAV serotypes and confirmed that antigenic variation occurs with high frequency in EIAV. Moreover, the data showed that variation is a rapid and random process, as no pattern of variant evolution was evident by comparison of 13 isolates from parallel infections. These results represent the first production of neutralizing MAbs specific for a lentivirus glycoprotein and document alterations in one or more neutralization epitopes of the major surface glycoprotein among sequential isolates of EIAV recovered during persistent infection.     

The comparison of genetic variation in the envelope protein between various immunodeficiency viruses and equine infectious anemia virus

The envelope protein (Env) of lentiviruses such as HIV, SIV, FIV and EIAV is larger than that of other retroviruses. The Chinese EIAV attenuated vaccine is based on Env and has helped to successfully control this virus, demonstrating that envelope is crucial for vaccine. We compared Env variation of the four kinds of lentiviruses. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the evolutionary relationship of Env between HIV and SIV was the closest and they appeared to descend from a common ancestor, and the relationship of HIV and EIAV was the furthest. EIAV had the shortest Env length and the least number of potential N-linked glycosylation sites (PNGS) as well as glycosylation density compared to various immunodeficiency viruses. However, HIV had the longest Env length and the most PNGS. Moreover, the alignment of HIV and SIV showed that PNGS were primarily distributed within extracellular membrane protein gp120 rather than transmembrane gp41. It implies that the size difference among these viruses is associated with a lentivirus specific function and also the diversity of env. There are low levels of modification of glycosylation sites of Env and selection of optimal protective epitopes might be useful for development of an effective vaccine against HIV/AIDS.     

Detailed mapping of the antigenicity of the surface unit glycoprotein of equine infectious anemia virus by using synthetic peptide strategies.

We describe here a detailed analysis of the antigenic determinants of the surface unit glycoprotein (gp90) of equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV), using a comprehensive panel of synthetic peptides in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays with immune serum from naturally and experimentally infected horses and with a panel of gp90-specific neutralizing and nonneutralizing monoclonal antibodies. The results of these studies identify immunoreactive segments throughout the conserved and variable domains of gp90 but localize immunodominant (100% reactivity) determinants to the amino and carboxyl termini of the glycoprotein molecule. Analysis of peptide reactivities with longitudinal serum samples taken from experimentally infected ponies revealed that antibody responses to conserved B-cell determinants appeared earlier and at higher titers than do antibodies specific for determinants contained in the variable domain of gp90. These observations suggest an evolution of antibody responses in EIAV-infected ponies that may correspond to the establishment of immunological control of virus replication and disease routinely observed in EIAV infections. In addition, the mapping of monoclonal antibody epitopes to peptides of 9 to 12 amino acids demonstrated that all of the neutralizing epitopes are located in the variable domain of gp90. The arrangement of neutralizing epitopes and critical structural considerations suggest that EIAV gp90 contains a principal neutralizing domain similar to the V3 loop of human immunodeficiency virus type 1. These antigenic analyses provide an important foundation for further analyzing the protective immune response generated during persistent EIAV infections and also provide potential peptide substrates for diagnostic assays and for vaccine strategies.     

Comparison of glycoproteins by two-dimensional mapping of glycosylated peptides

We describe here a two-dimensional mapping procedure which is capable of resolving glycopeptides isolated by lectin affinity chromatography from radioiodinated tryptic digests of glycoproteins. Glycopeptide maps were successfully produced for the model proteins alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and fetuin, as well as for the two surface glycoproteins gp90 and gp45 from equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV). Differences were detected in the glycopeptide maps obtained for the gp90 and gp45 components from two antigenically distinct strains of EIAV, demonstrating the ability of this procedure to detect variations in glycosylation in closely related glycoproteins. Thus this glycopeptide mapping technique provides a simple, rapid method to study changes in glycopeptides requiring only micrograms of glycoprotein.     

马传染性贫血病毒白细胞弱毒疫苗株及其亲本毒驴强毒株前病毒基因组比较分析

为阐明马传染性贫血白细胞弱毒疫苗株(EIAVDLV)的致弱和免疫保护机理,对EIAVDLV121及其亲本驴强毒株(EIAVDV117)前病毒全基因组序列进行了测定,并结合准种理论,分析了EIAV疫苗致弱过程中基因组进化特点。利用LA-PCR技术对EIAVDV117和EIAVDLV121的前病毒基因组分两段进行扩增,分别获得4个和10个前病毒全基因组序列。EIAVDV117前病毒基因组平均为8236bp,G C含量38.0。EIAVDLV121前病毒基因组平均8249bp,G C含量37.3。两者的前病毒基因组平均差异率为2.8。其中S2、LTR和env基因差异较大,分别为4.1、3.9和3.1。此外,S2、S3和env推导的氨基酸的差异明显,分别为10.4、5.6和4.8(gp90为6.8)。EIAVDLV121各基因的异质性均显著高于EIAVDV117。研究发现体外培养的EIAVDLV121至少有5种类型的LTR混合存在。在gp90推导的氨基酸序列上,EIAVDV117比EIAVDLV121平均多2个N-糖基化位点,总数为19,其中3个为EIAVDV117特有。EIAVDLV121有1个疫苗株特有N-糖基化位点。研究结果为进一步探讨马传染性贫血弱毒疫苗生物学特性提供信息。     

利用单基因组扩增法对马传染性贫血病毒疫苗株异质性的分析

前期研究发现,马传染性贫血病毒（Equine infectious anemia virus EIAV）中国弱毒疫苗株并非单一病毒,而是由多种准种（quasispecies）组成的种群。阐明该疫苗株的具体构成,对于确定优势疫苗株和分析其在体内的进化具有重要意义。本研究比较了传统RNA病毒测序法（即bulk PCR）和单基因组扩增法（Single-genome Amplification, SGA）在扩增EIAV疫苗株囊膜表面蛋白gp90基因 V3~V5区序列上的差异。结果发现,利用SGA法和bulk PCR法获得的序列在组内差异率分别为1.84%和1.88%。进一步序列比较发现,SGA法扩增的序列中除了含有与bulk PCR法中同源性较高的序列外,还存在bulk PCR法未检出的含强毒株LN40特异性位点,以及单个氨基酸缺失的序列。上述序列的存在为该疫苗株“多克隆构成”假说提供了佐证。此外,在对抽样偏差分析中发现,由于疫苗株中各种病毒准种在量上的差异,使得传统bulk PCR法不能有效的扩增组成比例较低的病毒准种,而导致测得的序列组成不能完全代表实际情况。SGA法通过对单基因组分的扩增和测序,可避免bulk PCR法的以上缺陷,在分析以准种形式存在的RNA病毒序列方面具有独特的优势。     

Characterization of variable regions in the envelope and S3 open reading frame of equine infectious anemia virus.

The polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify and clone parts of the envelope gene and overlapping S3 open reading frame, thought to encode rev, of the virulent in vivo-derived Th-1 isolate of equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV). The results indicated that EIAV consists of a heterogeneous mixture of genotypes present at the first febrile cycle after initial infection. We showed that the Th-1 isolate apparently contains nondefective genotypes as well as types which have transmembrane protein truncations or are rev deficient. Furthermore, we could confirm the presence of a hypervariable region in the gp90 envelope glycoprotein. Taken together with earlier data on the heterogeneity of the regulatory motifs present in the long terminal repeat sequences of viruses from the same in vivo isolate (S. Carpenter, S. Alexandersen, M. J. Long, S. Perryman, and B. Chesebro, J. Virol. 65:1605-1610, 1991), our findings indicate that EIAV uses a complex system of diversity in biological phenotypes together with variation in regulatory and antigenic makeup to evade host response and to cause persistent infection and recurrent chronic disease.     

Envelope Determinants of Equine Lentiviral Vaccine Protection

Lentiviral envelope (Env) antigenic variation and associated immune evasion present major obstacles to vaccine development. The concept that Env is a critical determinant for vaccine efficacy is well accepted, however defined correlates of protection associated with Env variation have yet to be determined. We reported an attenuated equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) vaccine study that directly examined the effect of lentiviral Env sequence variation on vaccine efficacy. The study identified a significant, inverse, linear correlation between vaccine efficacy and increasing divergence of the challenge virus Env gp90 protein compared to the vaccine virus gp90. The report demonstrated approximately 100% protection of immunized ponies from disease after challenge by virus with a homologous gp90 (EV0), and roughly 40% protection against challenge by virus (EV13) with a gp90 13% divergent from the vaccine strain. In the current study we examine whether the protection observed when challenging with the EV0 strain could be conferred to animals via chimeric challenge viruses between the EV0 and EV13 strains, allowing for mapping of protection to specific Env sequences. Viruses containing the EV13 proviral backbone and selected domains of the EV0 gp90 were constructed and in vitro and in vivo infectivity examined. Vaccine efficacy studies indicated that homology between the vaccine strain gp90 and the N-terminus of the challenge strain gp90 was capable of inducing immunity that resulted in significantly lower levels of post-challenge virus and significantly delayed the onset of disease. However, a homologous N-terminal region alone inserted in the EV13 backbone could not impart the 100% protection observed with the EV0 strain. Data presented here denote the complicated and potentially contradictory relationship between in vitro virulence and in vivo pathogenicity. The study highlights the importance of structural conformation for immunogens and emphasizes the need for antibody binding, not neutralizing, assays that correlate with vaccine protection.     

Mapping of equine lentivirus receptor 1 residues critical for equine infectious anemia virus envelope binding

The equine lentivirus receptor 1 (ELR1), a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) protein family, has been identified as a functional receptor for equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV). Toward defining the functional interactions between the EIAV SU protein (gp90) and its ELR1 receptor, we mapped the gp90 binding domain of ELR1 by a combination of binding and functional assays using the EIAV SU gp90 protein and various chimeric receptor proteins derived from exchanges between the functional ELR1 and the nonbinding homolog, mouse herpesvirus entry mediator (murine HveA). Complementary exchanges of the respective cysteine-rich domains (CRD) between the ELR1 and murine HveA proteins revealed CRD1 as the predominant determinant of functional gp90 binding to ELR1 and also to a chimeric murine HveA protein expressed on the surface of transfected Cf2Th cells. Mutations of individual amino acids in the CRD1 segment of ELR1 and murine HveA indicated the Leu70 in CRD1 as essential for functional binding of EIAV gp90 and for virus infection of transduced Cf2Th cells. The specificity of the EIAV SU binding domain identified for the ELR1 receptor is fundamentally identical to that reported previously for functional binding of feline immunodeficiency virus SU to its coreceptor CD134, another TNFR protein. These results indicate unexpected common features of the specific mechanisms by which diverse lentiviruses can employ TNFR proteins as functional receptors.