H5亚型禽流感重组鸡痘病毒活载体疫苗的构建及其遗传稳定性与免疫效力

以鹅源H5亚型禽流感病毒(AIV)基因组为模板,用RTPCR扩增血凝素（Hemagglutinin, HA）基因,克隆入鸡痘病毒表达载体pFG1175,转染鸡痘病毒感染的鸡胚成纤维细胞,通过蓝斑筛选和间接免疫荧光检测,获得表达HA基因的重组鸡痘病毒（Recombinant fowlpox virus, rFPVHA）。rFPVHA经鸡胚成纤维细胞连续传15代后,报告基因LacZ和HA基因可稳定表达。用103PFU和105PFU的rFPVHA免疫无特定病原体的(Specific pathogen free, SPF)鸡,免疫后22d 血凝抑制(Hemagglutinin inhibition,HI)抗体监测阳性率分别为0%和20%,但均抵御了H5亚型毒株的致死性攻击,保护率为100%。结果表明,构建了表达HA基因的重组鸡痘病毒,该重组病毒具有良好遗传稳定性,免疫鸡可提供完全保护,显示出了一定的应用前景。     

表达H9亚型禽流感病毒血凝素基因的重组鸡痘病毒及其免疫效力

以RTPCR法扩增获得H9亚型禽流感病毒(AIV)分离株(A/Chicken/China/F/1998)的血凝素(HA)基因,将其定向插入鸡痘病毒转移载体1175的痘苗病毒启动子P75的下游,得到重组转移载体1175HA。以脂质体转染法将1175HA转染至已感染鸡痘病毒282E4疫苗株(wtFPV)的鸡胚成纤维细胞(CEF)中,通过在含Xgal的营养琼脂上连续挑选蓝色病毒蚀斑获得并纯化rFPVHA。以间接免疫荧光法证实感染rFPVHA的CEF表达了HA。rFPVHA在免疫7日龄SPF鸡7天后即能诱生可检出的血凝抑制(HI)抗体,14天后诱生的HI抗体到达高峰,且诱生的HI抗体保持较高水平达55天。在7日龄SPF鸡及含抗FPV母源抗体的商品鸡上进行的免疫效力试验表明,rFPVＨＶ能显著抑制静脉攻毒后免疫鸡从泄殖腔的排毒,效果与AIV全病毒灭活苗相当。     

H9N2亚型禽流感病毒HA基因的克隆及其DNA疫苗的动物免疫试验

血凝素(HA)是决定禽流感病毒的毒力强弱和免疫原性的主要蛋白质.根据已发表的H9亚型AIV的HA基因序列,设计合成了1对H9 HA特异引物,以AIV A/Chicken/Henan/1/1999/(H9N2)核酸为模板,通过RT-PCR扩增出1条1.6 kb cDNA片段.将HA基因插入pVAX1中,构建了真核表达质粒pVAX-H9.采用活体电击法免疫3周龄SPF鸡10只,剂量为50 μg/只,3周后加强免疫一次,5周后以100倍鸡胚感染剂量(EID)的HA基因同源病毒对所有鸡进行攻毒.其间每周检测抗体水平变化,6周后以棉拭子进行泄殖腔病毒分离.结果为攻毒后免疫组鸡HI效价为9log2～10log2,对照组为2log2～4log2;免疫组病毒分离数为0/10,对照组为10/10.表明所构建的HA基因表达质粒可作为基因疫苗诱导鸡产生免疫保护反应.     

携带HCV核心蛋白原核表达质粒与真核表达质粒的减毒伤寒沙门菌诱导小鼠免疫应答之比较

丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）核心蛋白是丙肝疫苗的重要候选抗原,然而,该蛋白因具有免疫调控作用而影响免疫应答的诱导。构建了HCV核心蛋白的两种表达质粒,一种是体内激活型原核表达质粒pZW-C,另一种是真核表达质粒pCI-C。将该两种质粒转化减毒鼠伤寒沙门菌SL7207,得到重组菌SL7207/pZW-C和SL7207/pCI-C,分别将重组菌口服接种小鼠,检测小鼠的免疫应答,结果发现：① SL7207/pCI-C免疫鼠的CD3⁺CD4⁺ T细胞持续降低,而SL7207/pZW-C免疫鼠的CD3⁺CD4⁺ T细胞无明显改变;② SL7207/pCI-C免疫只诱导低水平抗HCV核心蛋白抗体,加强免疫对抗体阳转率及抗体水平无明显影响,而SL7207/pZW-C免疫组所有小鼠均产生较高水平的抗核心蛋白抗体。③ SL7207/pCI-C免疫鼠脾细胞的体外增殖活性、细胞毒性T细胞活性以及加强免疫对细胞免疫应答的增强作用均明显不及SL7207/pZW-C免疫鼠。结果提示：携带真核表达质粒pCI-C的沙门菌因在小鼠细胞内表达天然形式（结构以及磷酸化修饰）的HCV核心蛋白,可能通过对T细胞的免疫抑制作用而弱化免疫应答。而以携带原核表达质粒pZW-C的沙门菌免疫可避免这一问题,并具有接种方便,成本低廉等优点,从而可望作为基于HCV核心蛋白为靶抗原的HCV疫苗的候选免疫方式。     

以减毒沙门氏菌运送的H5亚型禽流感病毒DNA疫苗的构建及其对小鼠的免疫原性

根据GenBank中已发表的H5亚型禽流感病毒HA基因序列,设计一对引物,通过RTPCR扩增鹅源H5亚型高致病力禽流感病毒HA基因,测序确认后,将其克隆入真核表达载体pVAX1和asdpVAX1得到重组表达载体pVAX1HA和asdpVAX1HA。将重组质粒转染P815细胞,经间接免疫荧光试验证实,HA基因在细胞内得到了瞬时表达。进一步将重组质粒转化减毒鼠伤寒沙门氏菌X4550得到两种运送DNA疫苗的重组沙门氏菌X4550（pVAX1HA）和X4550（asdpVAX1HA）,以1×109CFU/只的剂量两次口服免疫BALB/c小鼠,免疫小鼠不仅可以检测到HA特异性的血清抗体应答,而且还能抵抗稳定表达H5亚型禽流感病毒HA基因的P815肥大细胞瘤的攻击,说明该运送DNA疫苗的减毒沙门氏菌系统在体内能够成功释放所携带的质粒,并且能够刺激机体产生保护性免疫应答。     

H9N2型禽流感病毒HA基因的克隆及其DNA疫苗的动物免疫试验

血凝素(HA)是决定禽流感病毒的毒力强弱和免疫原性的主要蛋白质．根据已发表的149亚型AIV的HA基因序列,设计合成了1对H9HA特异引物,以AIV A／Chicken／Henan／1／1999／(H9N2)核酸为模板,通过RT-PCR扩增出1条1．6kb cDNA片段。将HA基因插入pVAXI中,构建了真核表达质粒pVAX-H9,采用活体电击法免疫3周龄SPF鸡10只,剂量为50μg/只,3周后加强免疫一次,5周后以100倍鸡胚感染剂量(EID)的HA基因同源病毒对所有鸡进行攻毒,其间每周检测抗体水平变化,6周后以棉拭子进行泄殖腔病毒分离,结果为攻毒后免疫组鸡HI效价为9log2-10log2,对照组为2log2-4log2;免疫组病毒分离数为0／10。对照组为10／10,表明所构建的HA基因表达质粒可作为基因疫苗诱导鸡产生免疫保护反应。     

共表达H5N1、H7N1亚型AIV HA与鸡IL-18多价重组鸡痘病毒免疫保护性研究

用本实验室构建的重组鸡痘病毒rFPV-H5HA-IL18、rFPV-H5HA-H7HA-IL18和rFPV-H5HA,经翼蹼免疫1日龄SPF鸡和7日龄商品Leghorn蛋鸡,同时以H5亚型AIV全病毒灭活疫苗作为对照.免疫后测定HI抗体效价、淋巴细胞转化指标、重组疫苗对增重的影响、免疫后的攻毒保护效力、免疫后的抑制排毒情况.免疫后不同时间分别测定特异性抗体和淋巴细胞刺激指数.试验结果表明,3株重组鸡痘病毒株均能诱导鸡体产生血凝抑制抗体（HI）;共表达鸡IL-18的rFPV-H5HA-IL18和rFPV H5HA-H7HA-IL18诱导商品蛋鸡的细胞免疫水平明显高于非共表达鸡IL-18的rFPV-H5HA.重组鸡痘疫苗免疫SPF和商品蛋鸡后第21d进行攻毒实验,rFPV-H5HA-IL18和rFPV-H5HA-H7HA-IL18免疫攻毒保护率达10/10,rFPV-H5HA免疫攻毒保护率达9/10,与常规疫苗相当.免疫的商品蛋鸡于攻毒后7d采集泄殖腔棉试子样品,检测排毒情况.结果表明,rFPV-H5HA-IL18、rFPV-H5HA-H7HA-IL18免疫组在攻毒后第7d无排毒,其抑制免疫鸡排毒效果优于常规疫苗和单独表达HA的rFPV-H5HA重组鸡痘病毒.rFPV-H5HA-IL18和rFPV-H5HA-H7HA-IL18免疫组鸡,在14日龄时的体重明显高于rFPV-H5HA免疫组和常规疫苗对照免疫组,表明共表达的鸡IL-18能降低鸡痘病毒载体对雏鸡增重的影响.     

肠炎沙门氏菌基因工程减毒株的免疫效果及安全性评价

[背景] 相较于灭活疫苗和弱毒疫苗,沙门氏菌（Salmonella）基因工程减毒活疫苗具有的优越性逐渐显现,研究也不断深入。[目的] 探究肠炎沙门氏菌G9菌株的4株基因缺失株G9（ΔhilA）、G9（ΔhilD）、G9（ΔssrABhilA）和G9（ΔssrABhilAhilD）的免疫效果及生物安全性。[方法] 以肠炎沙门氏菌基因缺失菌株G9（ΔhilA）、G9（ΔhilD）、G9（ΔssrABhilA）、G9（ΔssrABhilAhilD）及其亲本菌株G9的最佳免疫剂量接种小鼠后,利用间接ELISA法、流式细胞术、MTT法、小鼠攻毒试验及倾注平板法等对各缺失株的免疫效果和安全性进行评价。[结果] G9（ΔhilD）诱导血清IgG抗体效价最高,G9（ΔhilD）和G9（ΔssrABhilAhilD）产生肠黏膜IgA抗体效价最高,4株缺失菌诱导IL-4、IL-10、IFN-γ、TNF-β、MCP-1细胞因子的能力与亲本株G9差异不显著（P>0.05）,产生的CD4⁺/CD3⁺、CD8⁺/CD3⁺ T细胞比率呈上升趋势,而且G9（ΔssrABhilA）和G9（ΔssrABhilAhilD）最高;G9（ΔssrABhilAhilD）诱发的脾淋巴细胞增殖指数最高;免疫小鼠后4株缺失株对G9攻毒提供的保护率为80%-100%,而且小鼠肝脏、脾脏及小肠绒毛无明显病理变化,对鼠伤寒沙门氏菌攻毒提供的保护率为50%-80%;接种后12 d,小鼠肝脏、脾脏及小肠中定殖的菌株能基本清除,而且在体外能连续稳定传代30代。[结论] G9（ΔhilA）、G9（ΔhilD）、G9（ΔssrABhilA）和G9（ΔssrABhilAhilD）对小鼠的免疫效果和生物安全性均良好,有成为肠炎沙门氏菌基因工程减毒活疫苗的可能。     

肝硬化患者的免疫功能障碍和白蛋白相关免疫、肝纤维化进展的相关性研究

摘要 目的：探究肝硬化患者的免疫功能障碍和白蛋白相关免疫、肝纤维化进展的相关性。方法：选择2018年8月至2021年7月在我院检查确诊为肝硬化患者90例。将其按照肝硬化的差异区分为早期肝硬化组（45例）与晚期肝硬化组（45例）。45名年龄和性别匹配的无症状志愿者作为正常对照,并对其结果进行分析。结果：早期肝硬化组和晚期肝硬化组CD3⁺、CD4⁺、CD8⁺和CD20(+)均高于对照组,晚期肝硬化组高于早期肝硬化组（P<0.05）;早期肝硬化组和晚期肝硬化组ALT、AST、TBIL、DBIL均高于对照组,晚期肝硬化组高于早期肝硬化组（P<0.05）;早期肝硬化组和晚期肝硬化组ALB、TP、A/G、PA均低于对照组,晚期肝硬化组低于早期肝硬化组（P<0.05）;早期肝硬化组和晚期肝硬化组HA、LN、PIIINP、CIV均高于对照组,晚期肝硬化组高于早期肝硬化组（P<0.05）;早期肝硬化组和晚期肝硬化组的TNF-α、IL-6、TLR4和TLR9均高于对照组,晚期肝硬化组高于早期肝硬化组（P<0.05）;CD3⁺、CD4⁺、CD8⁺、CD20⁺、TNF-α和IL-6与HA、LN、PNIIINP、CIV水平呈正相关,而ALB、TP、A/G和PA与HA、LN、PNIIINP、CIV水平呈负相关（P<0.05）。结论：免疫功能指标、肝功能指标浓度与四种肝纤维化标志物在联合检测可提高肝硬化诊断的可靠性和准确性,指导临床诊治,减少肝癌的发生,更好地判断疾病预后与疗效。     

狼疮性肾炎患者血清NETs、TWEAK、外周血CD4+T/CD8+T比例与疾病活动度及肾脏预后的关系

摘要 目的：探讨狼疮性肾炎（LN）患者血清中性粒细胞胞外诱捕网（NETs）、肿瘤坏死因子样凋亡微弱诱导剂（TWEAK）、外周血分化簇（CD）4⁺T/CD8⁺T比例与疾病活动度及肾脏预后的关系。方法：选取2021年8月～2022年8月川北医学院附属医院肾内科收治的LN患者137例（LN组）,根据系统性红斑狼疮疾病活动指数（SLEDAI）-2000评分分为轻度活动组（52例）、中度活动组（45例）、重度活动组（40例）。随访1年,根据肾脏相关终点事件发生情况分为预后不良组（43例）和预后良好组（94例）,另选取同期76名体检健康志愿者（对照组）。采用酶联免疫吸附法检测血清NETs、TWEAK水平,流式细胞术检测外周血CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T比例。Spearman相关性分析LN患者血清NETs、TWEAK和外周血CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T与SLEDAI-2000评分的相关性,多因素Logistic回归分析LN患者预后不良的因素,受试者工作特征曲线分析血清NETs、TWEAK和外周血CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T对LN患者预后不良的预测价值。结果：与对照组比较,LN组血清NETs、TWEAK水平升高,外周血CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T降低（P＜0.05）。轻度活动组、中度活动组、重度活动组血清NETs、TWEAK依次升高,外周血CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T依次降低（P＜0.05）。LN患者SLEDAI-2000评分与血清NETs、TWEAK呈正相关,与外周血CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T呈负相关（P＜0.05）。慢性肾脏病分期4期、SLEDAI-2000评分升高、NETs升高、TWEAK升高为LN患者预后不良的独立危险因素,估算肾小球滤过率升高、CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T升高为独立保护因素（P＜0.05）。血清NETs、TWEAK和外周血CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T联合预测LN患者预后不良的曲线下面积为0.943,大于血清NETs、TWEAK和外周血CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T单独预测的0.790、0.788、0.799（P＜0.05）。结论：LN患者血清NETs、TWEAK水平升高,外周血CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T降低,与疾病活动度及肾脏预后不良密切相关,血清NETs、TWEAK联合外周血CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T预测LN患者肾脏预后的价值较高。     

用电穿孔方法研究 H5N1 禽流感病毒DNA 疫苗对动物的免疫保护作用

为了研究 H5N1 DNA 疫苗对小鼠和鸡的保护效率,用 H5N1 禽流感病毒 HA DNA 疫苗免疫 BALB/c 小鼠和 SPF 鸡 . 小鼠和鸡分别经电穿孔和肌肉注射免疫两次,间隔为 3 周 . 二次免疫后,用致死量的同源病毒进行攻毒实验 . 空白对照组在攻毒后全部死亡,而经电穿孔免疫的小鼠和鸡均获得了完全的保护,并能有效地抑制病毒在小鼠肺脏和鸡泄殖腔的繁殖 . 同时,电穿孔免疫的小鼠和鸡均产生了高水平的特异性抗体 . 经电穿孔免疫的小鼠攻毒后 CTL 反应明显加强 . 这些结果表明, HA DNA 疫苗能有效地保护小鼠和鸡对禽流感病毒的感染,同时也表明电穿孔免疫是 DNA 疫苗免疫的有效途径之一 .     

表达H5亚型AIV血凝素的重组NDV构建及免疫原性

利用反向遗传技术获得表达H5亚型禽流感病毒(AIV)血凝素(HA)的新城疫病毒(NDV)。克隆NDV clone 30的全长基因,通过在NDV的融合蛋白基因和血凝素-神经氨酸酶(HN)基因之间插入编码高致病性AIV分离株A/chicken/italy/8/98(H5N2)的血凝素基因开放阅读框从而获得两株重组新城疫病毒NDVH5和NDVH5m。NDVH5感染的细胞可以检测到两种HA转录产物。对于重组病毒NDVH5m,NDV位于HA ORF的转录终止信号序列被沉默突变消除,产生2.7个全长HA转录产物的折叠,从而使修饰过的HA得到稳定地高表达。1日龄小鸡的脑内接种证实了两种重组病毒均无致病性。鸡群在NDVH5m诱导产生的NDV和H5亚型AIV HA特异性抗体的免疫力下能够免于致死剂量的NDV与高致病性AIV的感染。血清学研究结果表明NDVH5m免疫鸡群产生的抗体可结合NP蛋白抗体的检测从而用于区分免疫和感染AIV的动物。因此,NDVH5m重组病毒可作为抗NDV和AIV的"二联疫苗",也可成为控制AJ的标记疫苗。     

H5N2 avian influenza outbreak in Texas in 2004: the first highly pathogenic strain in the United States in 20 years?

In early 2004, an H5N2 avian influenza virus (AIV) that met the molecular criteria for classification as a highly pathogenic AIV was isolated from chickens in the state of Texas in the United States. However, clinical manifestations in the affected flock were consistent with avian influenza caused by a low-pathogenicity AIV and the representative virus (A/chicken/Texas/298313/04 [TX/04]) was not virulent for experimentally inoculated chickens. The hemagglutinin (HA) gene of the TX/04 isolate was similar in sequence to A/chicken/Texas/167280-4/02 (TX/02), a low-pathogenicity AIV isolate recovered from chickens in Texas in 2002. However, the TX/04 isolate had one additional basic amino acid at the HA cleavage site, which could be attributed to a single point mutation. The TX/04 isolate was similar in sequence to TX/02 isolate in several internal genes (NP, M, and NS), but some genes (PA, PB1, and PB2) had sequence of a clearly different origin. The TX/04 isolate also had a stalk deletion in the NA gene, characteristic of a chicken-adapted AIV. By analyzing viruses constructed by in vitro mutagenesis followed by reverse genetics, we found that the pathogenicity of the TX/04 virus could be increased in vitro and in vivo by the insertion of an additional basic amino acid at the HA cleavage site and not by the loss of a glycosylation site near the cleavage site. Our study provides the genetic and biologic characteristics of the TX/04 isolate, which highlight the complexity of the polygenic nature of the virulence of influenza viruses.     

Prediction and identification of T cell epitopes in the H5N1 influenza virus nucleoprotein in chicken

T cell epitopes can be used for the accurate monitoring of avian influenza virus (AIV) immune responses and the rational design of vaccines. No T cell epitopes have been previously identified in the H5N1 AIV virus nucleoprotein (NP) in chickens. For the first time, this study used homology modelling techniques to construct three-dimensional structures of the peptide-binding domains of chicken MHC class Ι molecules for four commonly encountered unique haplotypes, i.e., B4, B12, B15, and B19. H5N1 AIV NP was computationally parsed into octapeptides or nonapeptides according to the peptide-binding motifs of MHC class I molecules of the B4, B12, B15 and B19 haplotypes. Seventy-five peptide sequences were modelled and their MHC class I molecule-binding abilities were analysed by molecular docking. Twenty-five peptides (Ten for B4, six for B12, two for B15, and seven for B19) were predicted to be potential T cell epitopes in chicken. Nine of these peptides and one unrelated peptide were manually synthesized and their T cell responses were tested in vitro. Spleen lymphocytes were collected from SPF chickens that had been immunised with a NP-expression plasmid, pCAGGS-NP, and they were stimulated using the synthesized peptides. The secretion of chicken IFN-γ and the proliferation of CD8(+) T cells were tested using an ELISA kit and flow cytometry, respectively. The significant secretion of chicken IFN-γ and proliferation of CD8(+) T lymphocytes increased by 13.7% and 11.9% were monitored in cells stimulated with peptides NP(89-97) and NP(198-206), respectively. The results indicate that peptides NP(89-97) (PKKTGGPIY) and NP(198-206) (KRGINDRNF) are NP T cell epitopes in chicken of certain haplotypes. The method used in this investigation is applicable to predicting T cell epitopes for other antigens in chicken, while this study also extends our understanding of the mechanisms of the immune response to AIV in chicken.     

H5N1亚型AIVHA抗原表位的高效表达及其抗原活性分析

血凝素(hemagglutinin,HA)蛋白是禽流感病毒(avian influenza virus,AIV)的一个重要表面抗原性蛋白,在疾病诊断和防治上有重要意义。本研究为了探讨一种更为简便有效的HA重组蛋白表达途径,利用生物信息学软件,对H5N1亚型AIVHA基因编码的氨基酸序列进行分析,在分析其在大肠杆菌中的密码子偏好性、稀有密码子分布情况及有关蛋白的抗原性等重要特性后,构建了HA抗原表位重组表达质粒pET-32a(+)-HA。经测试,该重组质粒在1mmol/LIPTG诱导剂作用下诱导过夜,能在大肠杆菌Rosetta-gami B(DE3)中高效表达,并得到48.1kD大小的目的重组表达蛋白。重组蛋白用6×His-tagged protein纯化试剂盒纯化后,与福氏佐剂等量混合制备成抗原,以200μg/鸡的剂量皮下注射2月龄SPF鸡3次,采血分离血清。Western-Blot试验结果表明,该重组表达蛋白能分别与所制备的高免鸡血清及H5N1亚型AIV阳性血清发生特异性反应,在硝酸纤维素膜上出现特异性杂交带。说明本试验研究的HA抗原重组表达蛋白具有良好的免疫原性和反应原性,保留了HA蛋白的抗原活性,提示该重组蛋白在H5亚型AIV的防治技术研究中具有重要的实际应用价值。     

表达H5亚型禽流感病毒HA基因和鸡IL-18基因重组禽痘病毒的构建

[目的]获得共表达H5亚型AIV HA基因和鸡IL-18基因的重组禽痘病毒.[方法]将含痘病毒启动子LP2EP2的HA基因和鸡IL-18基因插入到禽痘病毒转移载体pSY681中,获得重组转移载体pSYHA/IL-18.用脂质体将其转染已感染亲本禽痘病毒S-FPV-017株的鸡胚成纤维细胞,使其在鸡胚成纤维细胞内与禽痘病毒基因组发生同源重组,产生表达HA和IL-18的重组禽痘病毒(rFPV-HA-IL-18).在含有X-gal的营养琼脂培养基上进行蓝斑筛选后,对重组禽痘病毒又进行了多次蚀斑克隆.[结果]以重组禽痘病毒DNA为模板,利用HA基因和鸡IL-18基因引物进行PCR,分别扩增出1条约1.7 kb带和1条0.6 kb左右的带.以间接免疫荧光试验、T细胞转化试验和SPF雏鸡免疫接种证实重组禽痘病毒能表达HA和鸡IL-18,并初步证明鸡IL-18增强HA免疫作用.[结论]重组禽痘病毒能表达具有生物学活性的HA和鸡IL-18.     

Identification of a Dual-Specific T Cell Epitope of the Hemagglutinin Antigen of an H5 Avian Influenza Virus in Chickens

Avian influenza viruses (AIV) of the H5N1 subtype have caused morbidity and mortality in humans. Although some migratory birds constitute the natural reservoir for this virus, chickens may play a role in transmission of the virus to humans. Despite the importance of avian species in transmission of AIV H5N1 to humans, very little is known about host immune system interactions with this virus in these species. The objective of the present study was to identify putative T cell epitopes of the hemagglutinin (HA) antigen of an H5 AIV in chickens. Using an overlapping peptide library covering the HA protein, we identified a 15-mer peptide, H5_246–260, within the HA1 domain which induced activation of T cells in chickens immunized against the HA antigen of an H5 virus. Furthermore, H5_246–260 epitope was found to be presented by both major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II molecules, leading to activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets, marked by proliferation and expression of interferon (IFN)-γ by both of these cell subsets as well as the expression of granzyme A by CD8+ T cells. This is the first report of a T cell epitope of AIV recognized by chicken T cells. Furthermore, this study extends the previous finding of the existence of dual-specific epitopes in other species to chickens. Taken together, these results elucidate some of the mechanisms of immune response to AIV in chickens and provide a platform for creation of rational vaccines against AIV in this species.     

Newcastle disease virus-based live attenuated vaccine completely protects chickens and mice from lethal challenge of homologous and heterologous H5N1 avian influenza viruses

H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) has continued to spread and poses a significant threat to both animal and human health. Current influenza vaccine strategies have limitations that prevent their effective use for widespread inoculation of animals in the field. Vaccine strains of Newcastle disease virus (NDV), however, have been used successfully to easily vaccinate large numbers of animals. In this study, we used reverse genetics to construct a NDV that expressed an H5 subtype avian influenza virus (AIV) hemagglutinin (HA). Both a wild-type and a mutated HA open reading frame (ORF) from the HPAIV wild bird isolate, A/Bar-headed goose/Qinghai/3/2005 (H5N1), were inserted into the intergenic region between the P and M genes of the LaSota NDV vaccine strain. The recombinant viruses stably expressing the wild-type and mutant HA genes were found to be innocuous after intracerebral inoculation of 1-day-old chickens. A single dose of the recombinant viruses in chickens induced both NDV- and AIV H5-specific antibodies and completely protected chickens from challenge with a lethal dose of both velogenic NDV and homologous and heterologous H5N1 HPAIV. In addition, BALB/c mice immunized with the recombinant NDV-based vaccine produced H5 AIV-specific antibodies and were completely protected from homologous and heterologous lethal virus challenge. Our results indicate that recombinant NDV is suitable as a bivalent live attenuated vaccine against both NDV and AIV infection in poultry. The recombinant NDV vaccine may also have potential use in high-risk human individuals to control the pandemic spread of lethal avian influenza.     

表达禽流感病毒M2基因的重组马立克氏病病毒的构建

将禽流感病毒M2基因克隆于真核表达质粒pIRES-EGFP中,使其位于pCMV启动子的调控下,并与绿色荧光蛋白基因（EGFP）串联后,将上述串联基因插入到含MDV CVI988的非必需区US基因的重组质粒pUS2中,构建带标记的重组质粒,然后将此重组质粒转染感染了MDV CVI988的鸡胚成纤维细胞,利用同源重组的方法,筛选了表达禽流感病毒M2基因的重组病毒MDV1。经PCR、Dot-blotting,Western-blotting等实验的结果表明,禽流感病毒M2基因的确插入到MDV1（CVI988）基因组中并获得表达。重组MDV1免疫1日龄SPF鸡21天后,用ELISA可检测到M2蛋白的特异性抗体。接种了重组病毒rMDV的鸡体内针对H9N2疫苗血凝素的抗体滴度(p<0.05)明显提高,以禽流感病毒AIV A/Chicken/Guangdong/00（H9N2）攻毒后进行病毒重分离试验的结果发现,重组病毒能有效地降低病毒的排出量(p<0.01),说明该重组病毒可以用于防制禽流感的免疫。     

Characterization of a highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus isolated from an ostrich

The continued spread of a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus among poultry and wild birds has posed a potential threat to human public health. An influenza pandemic happens, when a new subtype that has not previously circulated in humans emerges. Almost all of the influenza pandemics in history have originated from avian influenza viruses (AIV). Birds are significant reservoirs of influenza viruses. In the present study, we performed a survey of avian influenza virus in ostriches and H5N1 virus (A/Ostrich/SuZhou/097/03, China097) was isolated. This H5N1 virus is highly pathogenic to both chickens and mice. It is also able to replicate in the lungs of, and to cause death in, BALB/c mice following intranasal administration. It forms plaques in chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cells in the absence of trypsin. The hemagglutinin (HA) gene of the virus is genetically similar to A/Goose/Guangdong/1/96(H5N1) and belongs to clade 0. The HA sequence contains multiple basic amino acids adjacent to the cleavage site, a motif associated with HPAI viruses. More importantly, the existence of H5N1 isolates in ostriches highlights the potential threat of wild bird infections to veterinary and public health.