马立克氏病病毒可感染鸡大脑小胶质细胞并促进其Toll样受体15和1LB基因的转录

体外培养雏鸡大脑神经胶质细胞并纯化得到小胶质细胞。分别用马立克氏病病毒(Marek’s disease virus,MDV)广西超强毒力(vv)株YL040920和弱毒疫苗株CVI988/Rispens感染小胶质细胞,每日观察病毒感染后的细胞病变效应(CPE);用免疫组织化学法检测病毒感染后小胶质细胞中MDV MEQ蛋白的表达,并用荧光定量PCR(qPCR)以及qRT-PCR法分别检测MDVmeq基因(meq-DNA)的复制以及gB基因mRNA(gB-mRNA)的转录水平。同时用qRT-PCR法检测MDV感染对小胶质细胞Toll样受体家族(TLRs)基因转录的影响。结果发现,YL040920株和CVI988/Rispens株病毒均能感染小胶质细胞,病变细胞呈多灶性脱落并形成空斑,随病变进展迅速增大并融合。可在MDV感染的小胶质细胞核内检测到MEQ蛋白,并在感染细胞中检测到meq-DNA的复制和gB-mRNA的转录。YL040920株感染的小胶质细胞中病毒载量和gB-mRNA的转录水平显著低于以相同病毒量CVI988/Rispens株感染的小胶质细胞中的相应量(P≤0.05/0.001)。MDV感染可上调小胶质细胞TLR15和TLR1LB基因的转录水平。小胶质细胞中TLR15和TLR1LB mRNA的转录水平在YL040920感染1 d后升高,于3 dpi达到最高值,到5 dpi时有所降低。检测到小胶质细胞中TLR1LB mRNA转录水平在CVI988/Rispens感染1 d后升高,到3 dpi时达最高值;而TLR15 mRNA的转录水平在3 dpi后开始升高,二者在5 dpi时均降低。比较YL040920和CVI988/Rispens对TLRs mRNA转录的影响发现vvMDV YL040920感染小胶质细胞后主要促进其TLR15基因的转录(P≤0.01/0.001),而弱毒疫苗株CVI988/Rispens感染后主要促进TLR1LB基因的转录(P≤0.001)。     

整合REV LTR序列的MDV弱毒株的分离鉴定与生物学特性

【目的】从非免疫健康三黄鸡中分离到一株马立克氏病病毒(MDV),命名为MDV GD06株,本工作系统研究了其生物学特性。【方法】PCR扩增GD06株Meq基因及短末端重复区(RS)序列,进行序列分析,并用间接免疫荧光试验进行血清型特异性鉴定;通过接种SPF鸡和鸡胚成纤维细胞(CEF)来判定GD06株体内外的增殖能力;为确定GD06株的致病性,用1日龄SPF鸡进行攻毒试验。【结果】GD06株为MDV血清I型病毒,其基因组中自然整合禽网状内皮增殖症病毒(REV)的长末端重复序列(LTR),Meq基因富含脯氨酸的结构域比参考强毒株Md5多59个氨基酸,与MD商品化疫苗CVI988/Rispens和814株相符,具有弱毒株的特征。在接种CEF细胞96、120、144、168、192 h,GD06株病毒滴度分别为1.9×105、3.9×105、6.1×105、6.5×105、5.8×105PFU,明显比CVI988/Rispens(病毒滴度分别为1.3×105、3.5×105、5.0×105、5.7×105、4.7×105PFU)高(P0.05);接种SPF鸡21、28天,GD06株在鸡体内的病毒滴度分别为740和350 PFU,明显比CVI988/Rispens株(病毒滴度分别为460、216 PFU)高(P0.05),结果表明,GD06株在CEF细胞和鸡体内具有比CVI988/Rispens更快的增殖能力。人工接种攻毒实验表明,GD06株对SPF鸡没有致病性,不引免疫抑制。【结论】研究结果表明,MDV GD06株为国内首次分离的自然整合有REV LTR序列的重组MDV弱毒株。     

MDV VP22的N1-18是发挥蛋白转导功能必需的序列

血清Ⅰ型马立克氏病病毒(MDV-1)CVI988/Rispens弱毒株的VP22蛋白缺失201TKSERT206.为了进一步证实该缺失对MDV-1 VP22蛋白转导功能和效率的影响,本研究通过将不同缺失型的VP22与EGFP相融合,转染COS-1细胞,通过间接免疫荧光方法,检测VP22的蛋白转导现象.结果发现,EGFP-VP22具有微管结合、核膜结合、核酸结合、蛋白转导等特性;CVI988 VP22与GA株VP22的转导效率相当,且只有完整长度的VP22具有明显的转导功能,其中,N端1～18 aa对VP22的核定位及其蛋白转导功能的发挥意义很大.这一发现为利用MDV-1 VP22携带其他目的蛋白转导,增强目的蛋白免疫原性及其治疗性功能具有重要的指导价值.     

MDV-1 CVI988/Rispens疫苗毒体外感染期间VP22的表达及细胞间转导作用

利用CVI988 VP22蛋白C端94~243 aa片段作为抗原制备特异性抗体, 并用于检测MDV-1不同毒株感染鸡胚成纤维细胞(CEF)时, 在不同感染时间内的表达情况. 结果发现, 当感染量PFU=50时, MDV各不同致病力的毒株(GA, RB1B和CVI988株)VP22最早在3 h时开始向病毒感染细胞的邻近细胞核内扩散; 8 h时, VP22几乎扩散到所有细胞的核内. 这说明VP22在感染细胞形成空斑之前就已经开始表达, 并高效转导入其他正常的细胞核内. 实验中发现血清I型马立克氏病病毒(MDV-1)弱毒株CVI988/Rispens的VP22蛋白缺失²⁰¹TKSERT²⁰⁶. 结果证实这一缺失对VP22蛋白转导功能并没有明显影响, 即CVI988 VP22仍具有高效的细胞内转导作用. 这为深入研究和开发MDV CVI988株的VP22蛋白转导功能奠定了基础.     

马立克病毒基因缺失疫苗与商品化疫苗的分子鉴别方法

为了对马立克病毒(MDV)meq基因缺失疫苗株SC9-1与商品化MD疫苗CVI988/Rispens株、814株和HVT FC-126株进行分子鉴别,本研究根据疫苗株SC9-1与其它MD疫苗株的基因组差异,分别针对I型MDVmeq基因以及SC9-1基因组中的禽网状内皮组织增殖症病毒-长末端重复序列(REV-LTR)插入片段,设计三对PCR扩增引物,同时合成针对meq基因和REV-LTR片段的地高辛标记探针,通过PCR扩增和斑点杂交方法区分SC9-1株与其他疫苗株。结果表明,使用针对meq基因的引物F1/R1进行PCR扩增,SC9-1株、CVI988/Rispens株、814株分别扩增出184bp、1 297bp、1 297bp目的片段,HVT FC-126株没有条带;使用针对meq基因的引物F2/R2进行PCR扩增,CVI988/Rispens株、814株均扩增出746bp目的片段,SC9-1株、HVT FC-126株均没有条带;使用针对REV-LTR片段设计的引物F3/R3进行PCR扩增,SC9-1株扩增出512bp目的片段,CVI988/Rispens株、814株、HVT FC-126株均没有条带。同时,使用针对meq基因的探针进行斑点杂交,CVI988/Rispens株、814株均显示阳性结果,SC9-1株、HVT FC-126株均为阴性;使用针对REV-LTR的探针进行斑点杂交,SC9-1株显示阳性结果,CVI988/Rispens株、814株、HVT FC-126株均为阴性。因此,利用本研究设计的特异性PCR引物以及探针,通过PCR扩增和斑点杂交方法可有效区分SC9-1与其他商品化MD疫苗。     

敲除meq的鸡马立克氏病毒强毒株对超强毒的免疫保护作用

【目的】比较和评价一株敲除了meq基因的马立克氏病毒(MDV)的致病性及其诱发的保护性免疫作用。【方法】将1日龄SPF鸡150只随机分为5组,每组30只,分别饲养于正压过滤空气的SPF动物饲养隔离罩内。1日龄时,第1和第5组鸡以2000PFU/只的剂量腹腔接种GX0101Δmeq,第2组鸡以2000PFU/只的剂量腹腔接种CVI988/Rispens疫苗株,第3和第4组鸡不接种任何病毒作为对照组。免疫接种5d后,第1、2、3组分别以500PFU/只的剂量攻击MDV超强毒株vvrMd5。饲养90d,观察死亡情况,对各组死亡鸡只剖检,并取疑似马立克特有病变脏器做石蜡切片,于攻毒后90d处死全部存活鸡并随机取心脏、肝脏、脾脏做病理切片。【结果】单独接种GX0101Δmeq的第5组没有任何马立克氏病临床症状和特有的组织学病变,接种GX0101Δmeq再感染超强毒株vvrMd5的第1组也没有马立克病特有的组织学病变,但CVI988/Rispens免疫后感染超强毒株vvrMd5的第2组显示马立克病特有病变的病理切片比例为9/42,单独接种超强毒株vvrMd5的第3组死亡率为87%,死亡鸡出现可眼观典型肿瘤率为25%,免疫接种GX0101Δmeq和CVI988/Rispens的第1组和第2组对超强毒株vvrMd5攻击的保护指数分别为100%和89%。【结论】本实验构建的MDVmeq基因缺失株-GX0101Δmeq可在体外稳定复制,不仅对SPF鸡没有致病性和致瘤性,而且能诱导比CVI988/Rispens疫苗株更好的对超强毒MDV的免疫保护效果。     

鸡马立克氏病毒和网状内皮增生病毒感染肉鸡时的相互作用

为了研究鸡马立克氏病病毒(MDV)和网状内皮增生病病毒(REV)共感染时的相互作用,分别在REV母源抗体阳性(REV-Ab )和阴性(REV-Abˉ)及经MDV疫苗CVI988株免疫和不免疫的商品代肉鸡,比较了二种病毒在病毒血症水平和特异抗体效价上的相互影响。结果表明,在未经CVI988株免疫鸡,REV病毒血症对MDV强毒接种后的病毒血症水平及抗体效价无明显影响,但REV病毒血症显著抑制了CVI988疫苗免疫为鸡提供的抵抗力和抗体效价,因而提高了强毒MDV感染后的病毒血症的程度。另一方面,MDV感染会显著减弱REV-Ab 鸡对REV感染的抵抗力,提高REV-Ab 鸡在感染REV后的病毒血症水平并抑制对它的抗体效价。分析表明,MDV和REV共感染主要通过抑制鸡体的免疫功能来影响另一种病毒的复制及其致病作用。     

鸡马立克氏病毒和网状内皮增生病毒感染肉鸡时的相互作用

为了研究鸡马立克氏病病毒(MDV)和网状内皮增生病病毒(REV)共感染时的相互作用,分别在REV母源抗体阳性(REV-Ab+)和阴性(REV-Ab-)及经MDV疫苗CVI988株免疫和不免疫的商品代肉鸡,比较了二种病毒在病毒血症水平和特异抗体效价上的相互影响.结果表明,在未经CVI988株免疫鸡,REV病毒血症对MDV强毒接种后的病毒血症水平及抗体效价无明显影响,但REV病毒血症显著抑制了CVI988疫苗免疫为鸡提供的抵抗力和抗体效价,因而提高了强毒MDV感染后的病毒血症的程度.另一方面,MDV感染会显著减弱REV-Ab+鸡对REV感染的抵抗力,提高REV-Ab+鸡在感染REV后的病毒血症水平并抑制对它的抗体效价.分析表明,MDV和REV共感染主要通过抑制鸡体的免疫功能来影响另一种病毒的复制及其致病作用.     

敲除Meq基因的重组鸡马立克氏病毒与CVI988/Rispens疫苗株免疫保护效力的比较

【目的】比较敲除meq基因的马立克氏病毒(MDV)与标准疫苗株CVI988/Rispens对MDV超强毒GX0101攻毒的免疫保护作用。【方法】本实验将1日龄SPF鸡120只随机分成4组,每组30只,分别饲养在正压过滤空气的SPF动物饲养隔离罩内。1日龄时,第1组鸡以2000PFU/只的剂量颈部皮下接种SC9-1;第2组鸡以2000PFU/只的剂量颈部皮下接种CVI988/Rispens;第3、4组为不免疫攻毒对照组。免疫接种后5 d后,第1、2、3组分别以2000PFU/只的剂量腹腔接种MDV GX0101。饲养至90日龄,记录死亡情况,对死亡鸡只剖检,并取疑似马立克特有病变脏器做病理切片。期间,检测不同免疫状态下病毒GX0101的增殖动态以及禽流感、新城疫灭活苗在鸡体诱导产生抗体的水平。对含有MDV母源抗体的海蓝褐鸡的试验方案与SPF鸡一致。【结果】SC9-1株免疫对感染MDV GX0101攻击SPF鸡、海兰褐鸡均提供100%的免疫保护作用;CVI988/Rispens对SPF鸡、海兰褐鸡分别提供86.7%、93%的免疫保护作用。未免疫SPF鸡攻毒组死亡率为53.3%,肿瘤率为16.7%;未免疫海兰褐鸡攻毒组死亡率为36.7%,肿瘤率为6.67%;相比,空白对照组鸡只没有任何病变及死亡。荧光定量结果显示,淋巴细胞和羽毛囊DNA中,SC9-1免疫组鸡体内GX0101的病毒拷贝数显著低于CVI988/Rispens免疫组。血凝抑制试验结果显示,SC9-1免疫攻毒组鸡的产生的AIV、NDV抗体水平高于CVI988/Rispens免疫攻毒组。【结论】SC9-1株免疫无论在SPF鸡还是含有MDV母源抗体的海兰褐鸡均能提供比CVI988/Rispens更好的免疫保护效果。     

整合进禽反转录病毒基因组片段的鸡马立克氏病病毒重组野毒株的发现

用对禽网状内皮组织增生病病毒(REV)的单抗从广东和广西分离到的二株马立克氏病病毒(MDV)野毒株做间接荧光抗体试验, 用MDV感染细胞的基因组DNA做斑点分子杂交及PCR显示, 这二株MDV基因组中已整合进REV的LTR序列. 根据MDV基因组上易插入REV的LTR的高频位点的序列合成7条引物, 根据REV的LTR合成4条引物, 由此交叉组成28对引物, 分别从这二个MDV野毒株扩增和克隆已整合进MDV的REV-LTR序列及其相连的MDV序列. 测序证明, 二株中的REV-LTR插入序列及在MDV基因组中短独特序列(US)上的插入位点完全相同. 表明这二个毒株很可能是一次重组事件在鸡群中形成的流行毒株.     

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。     

Tumor growth and antibodies after RSV-challenge in normal chickens and in chickens congenitally infected with avian leukosis virus.

Normal chickens and chickens congenitally infected with an avian leukosis virus (ALV) of antigenic subgroup A were challenged with strains of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) of two different antigenic subgroups (B and C) and tumor induction and growth as well as humoral antibody to viral envelope antigen (VEA) and tumor-specific surface antigen (TSSA) were measured. There was no effect of congenital ALV infection on RSV tumor incidence or latent period but the growth rate and size of the tumors were much higher in congenitally infected birds as compared to controls. Whereas most tumors in the RSV-challenged normal birds regressed, tumors in ALV-infected birds grew progressively. There were no striking differences in the number of birds in either group in the incidence of anti-TSSA or anti-VEA antibodies nor did the presence of either type of antibody reflect the tumor status of the host.     

表达强毒pp38决定簇的马立克病病毒疫苗毒CVI988点突变株的构建和特性

用鸡马立克病病毒（ＭＤＶ）强毒ＧＡ株的３８ｋＤ磷蛋白（ｐｐ３８）基因克隆ＤＮＡ转染Ｉ型弱毒疫苗ＣＡＩ９８８／Ｒｉｓｐｅｎｓ株ＭＤＶ感染的鸡胚成纤维细胞,再用能识别Ｉ型强毒ｐｐ３８的单克隆抗体Ｈ１９做免疫荧光试验,筛选到能在ｐｐ３８基因上表达强毒株特异性抗原决定簇的定向点突变弱毒株ＣＶＩ／ｒｐｐ３８。用＾３５Ｓ－蛋氨酸标记的细胞裂解物做免疫沉淀反应表明,单抗Ｈ１９不能识别天然ＣＶＩ９８８株ＭＤＶ中的     

表达IBDV VP2融合蛋白的重组MDV的构建及其免疫特性

将增强型绿色荧光蛋白基因(eGFP)与鸡传染性法氏囊病病毒(IBDV)的VP2基因融合,插入马立克氏病毒(MDV)CVI988/Rispens的非必需区US10片段中,成功构建表达VP2融合蛋白的MDVCVI988转移载体pUC18-US10-VP2。将转移载体质粒与CVI988/Rispens疫苗毒共转染鸡胚成纤维细胞(CEF),筛选获得表达VP2融合蛋白的重组MDV(rMDV)。聚合酶链式反应(PCR)和间接免疫荧光实验(IFA)证明,rMDV传至第31代仍能稳定表达VP2融合蛋白。用rMDV免疫SPF鸡,进行IBDV攻毒保护试验,1日龄SPF鸡分别用1000PFU、2000PFU、5000PFU的rMDV进行免疫,33日龄用100LD50的IBDVJS超强毒进行攻毒,鸡的免疫保护率分别为50%、60%、80%。值得注意的是,5000PFU的rMDV一次免疫1日龄SPF鸡,其法氏囊组织病理损伤等级与IBD中等毒力活疫苗常规二次免疫相当(2·0/1·5),其保护效果无显著差异(p>0·05),而与非重组病毒免疫组相比较,保护效果差异显著(P<0·01),这表明构建的表达IBDVVP2融合蛋白的rMDV可以有效地为SPF鸡提供免疫保护作用。     

Augmentation of retrovirus-induced lymphoid leukosis by Marek's disease herpesviruses in White Leghorn chickens.

Our objective was to determine whether the cell-associated herpesvirus vaccines used in chickens to control Marek's disease tumors can augment development of lymphoid leukosis (LL) induced by exogenous avian leukosis virus (ALV). Various single or mixed Marek's disease vaccines were inoculated at day 1, and ALV was injected at 1 to 10 days, with chickens of several experimental or commercial strains. Development of LL was monitored at 16 to 48 weeks in various experiments. In several strains of chickens we repeatedly found that the widely used serotype 3 turkey herpesvirus vaccine did not augment LL in comparison with unvaccinated controls. However, LL development and incidence were prominently augmented in several chicken strains vaccinated with serotype 2 vaccines, used alone or as mixtures with other serotypes. In one chicken strain, augmentation was demonstrated after natural exposure to ALV or serotype 2 Marek's disease virus viremic shedder chickens. Augmentation of LL by virulent or attenuated Marek's disease viruses of serotype 1 was intermediate in effect. Serotype 2 Marek's disease virus augmentation of LL was prominent in three laboratory lines and one commercial strain of White Leghorns, but it was not observed in an LL-resistant laboratory line or four commercial strains susceptible to ALV infection. Chickens developed similar levels of viremia and neutralizing antibodies to ALV regardless of the presence of augmentation of LL, suggesting that the mechanism of enhanced LL did not result from differences in susceptibility or immune response to ALV. We postulate that the serotype 2 herpesviruses may augment LL through one of several possible influences on bursal cells that are subsequently transformed by exogenous ALV.     

Complete Genomic Sequence of a Muscovy Duck-Origin Reticuloendotheliosis Virus from China

The complete proviral sequence of a Muscovy duck-origin reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) associated with spontaneously occurring neoplastic disease in 2011 in Zhejiang province, China, was determined. Comparative sequence analyses indicate that the present REV is most closely related to the chicken-origin REV isolate HLJR0901 and the goose-origin isolate Goose/3410/06. These findings suggest that chickens or geese may transmit the REV to Muscovy ducks.     

Complete Genome Sequence of a Recombinant Marek's Disease Virus Field Strain with One Reticuloendotheliosis Virus Long Terminal Repeat Insert

Marek''s disease virus (MDV) Chinese strain GX0101, isolated in 2001 from a vaccinated flock of layer chickens with severe tumors, was the first reported recombinant MDV field strain with one reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) long terminal repeat (LTR) insert. GX0101 belongs to very virulent MDV (vvMDV) but has higher horizontal transmission ability than the vvMDV strain Md5. The complete genome sequence of GX0101 is 178,101 nucleotides (nt) and contains only one REV-LTR insert at a site 267 nt upstream of the sorf2 gene. Moreover, GX0101 has 5 repeats of a 217-nt fragment in its terminal repeat short (TRS) region and 3 repeats in internal repeat short (IRS) region, compared to the other 10 strains with only 1 or 2 repeats in both TRS and IRS.     

Relationship of Reticuloendotheliosis Virus to the Avian Tumor Viruses: Nucleic Acid and Polypeptide Composition

The RNA content and polypeptide composition of reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) was compared to that of C-type RNA tumor viruses. Two RNA species with approximate sedimentation values of 64S and 4S were observed after sucrose gradient centrifugation of RNA extracted from purified REV. The high-molecular-weight RNA species of REV sedimented slightly faster than that of the Bryan strain of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV). Although these characteristics were consistent with those of other C-type RNA tumor viruses, significant differences were observed when the polypeptide composition of REV was compared with that of RSV possessing envelope determinants of Rous-associated virus RAV-2 and RAV-3. Five polypeptides of which two were glycosylated were resolved by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The major nonglycosylated polypeptide of REV did not comigrate with that of RSV (RAV-2)-RSV(RAV-3). The majority of the group-specific antigen reactivity resides in this major nonglycosylated polypeptide of avian tumor viruses and comigrates when proteins of several avian tumor viruses are subjected to coelectrophoresis. This difference in the migration of the major polypeptide of REV and RSV(RAV-2)-RSV(RAV-3) may explain the absence of avian tumor virus group-specific antigen in REV.     

Expression and intercellular trafficking of the VP22 protein of CVI988/Rispens vaccine strain of Marek’s disease virus

The viral protein 22 (VP22) in the tegument of Marek’s disease virus serotype 1 (MDV-1) plays an important role in cell-to-cell spread and viral propagation. Antiserum against the carboxyl terminus of VP22 was prepared by immunizing mice with recombinant VP22 expressed in E. coli, and used to investigate its expression in chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cells infected with different MDV-1 strains. At an infection dose of PFU=50, intercellular trafficking of the VP22 into the nuclei of the surrounding receipt cells was detected as early as 3 hours post infection. By 6 hours after infection (before viral plague formation), the protein was detected in the whole nuclei of the recipient cells with no difference among MDV-1 strains CVI988/Rispens, GA and RB1B. Intra-nuclear accumulation of the VP22 protein was further increased when the viral plagues started to form. These results indicate that, albeit the existence of the ²⁰¹TKSERT²⁰⁶ deletion, the VP22 of the CVI988/Rispens vaccine strain has also intercelular-trafficking function, which might serve as a potential alternative delivering protein instead of virulent strains VP22.