实验动物和公园动物中SARS病原来源调查初报

目的　调查SARS冠状病毒的动物来源。方法　用冠状病毒通用引物的反转录巢式PCR方法对采集的动物呼吸道分泌物或咽拭子标本进行检测 ,用血清学方法 (EIASA)对动物血清进行检测 ,确定阳性的初筛动物。结果　分别从各实验动物猴、犬饲养场、广州动物园共采集拭子标本 84份 ,包括的动物品种有猴、犬、小灵猫、果子狸、狒狒、巨蜥、滑鼠蛇、巴西龟、孔雀、鸭子、鸽子等 ,PCR方法检测 ,未检出SARS冠状病毒 ;另抽取 16个单位 3 73只小鼠和 9个单位 198只大鼠的血清 ,用ELISA方法检查 ,有 52只鼠检出鼠冠状病毒抗体。实验动物SARS冠状病毒的追溯研究是从根本上防治SARS病的重要环节之一。     

内蒙地区发热患者血清中冠状病毒抗体的检测

目的分析内蒙地区发热患者中冠状病毒的感染情况。方法以SARS冠状病毒感染Vero细胞涂片为冠状病毒抗原片,用间接免疫荧光法分别检测55例发热患者和68例正常人血清中冠状病毒的IgG、IgM抗体。结果发热患者血清中冠状病毒IgG抗体和IgM抗体阳性率分别为29.1%(16/55)和10.9%(6/55),而正常人血清中只检测到2.9%(2/68)的IgG抗体,且未检测到IgM抗体,2组患者的IgG和IgM抗体阳性率比较差异均有显著性;随机选取7例患者的IgG阳性血清进行SRAS冠状病毒的特异性抗体封闭实验,结果有6例血清仍为阳性,有1例血清转为阴性,说明冠状病毒IgG抗体阳性血清中85.7%为普通冠状病毒特异性,14.3%为SARS冠状病毒特异性。结论普通冠状病毒是内蒙地区发热患者的主要病原体之一,部分患者还存在SARS冠状病毒的既往感染。     

22例SARS感染愈后连续5年特异性IgG抗体随访分析

为分析SARS冠状病毒(SARS-CoV)IgG抗体在SARS感染康复者体内的持久性与变化,本研究自2004年3月开始,每年采集北京地区SARS感染康复者血清标本,采用商品化的冠状病毒(变异株)IgG抗体间接ELISA检测试剂盒,对其中22名SARS康复者中的SARS-CoVIgG抗体进行连续五年随访检测与分析。结果表明:在愈后第1年,所有血清SARS-IgG抗体皆为阳性。第2、3年处于平台期,滴度仍维持较高的水平。第4年抗体滴度有明显下降趋势。第5年IgG抗体基本转阴。研究发现SARS-CoVIgG抗体可维持3年以上,第4年之后明显下降。本研究为SARS感染诊断与防治、免疫应答及疫苗效力评价等提供了重要依据。     

严重急性呼吸综合征患者血清特异性抗体消涨规律的长期追踪研究

目的:追踪检测SARS冠状病毒(SARS-CoV)抗体在严重急性呼吸综合征(SARS)患者血清中的产生及其转归规律,为SARS诊断及防治提供依据。方法:对41例临床诊断SARS患者的血清进行了连续3年的检测,分别应用间接免疫荧光(IFA)检测患者血清特异性IgG抗体平均滴度,应用双抗原夹心ELISA法检测患者血清核衣壳蛋白(N蛋白)抗体的平均滴度,绘制消涨曲线,得出消涨规律。结果:应用IFA检测患者血清特异性IgG抗体与应用双抗原夹心ELISA法检测N蛋白抗体所得到的消涨规律不同,前者测得康复者血清IgG抗体滴度维持在较低水平,但后者检测35例康复者血清N蛋白抗体仍维持在较高水平。结论:SARS-CoV的N蛋白是免疫原性较强的抗原,感染3年后仍存在高滴度抗体;抗原夹心ELISA检测SARS-CoV N蛋白抗体的灵敏度较IFA方法高。     

严重急性呼吸综合征(SARS)患者不同组织中冠状病毒的分离和鉴定

严重急性呼吸综合征(SARS)自2002年11月在中国广东爆发后,已迅速蔓延成为全球性传染疾患。为了了解SARS冠状病毒的特征,对先前SARS冠状病毒PCR检测呈阳性的来自广东的3份尸检肺组织标本、2份尸检脾组织标本：来自北京的2份咽拭子标本和1份血清标本,利用10种不同的细胞系分离病毒。结果显示,上述标本在感染细胞后,分别可在293、Vero—E6、Vero、RD和HeLa细胞系中产生细胞病变(CPE)。不同标本在上述细胞系中致CPE的能力不同,但CPE出现的时间和病变形态学特征无显著性差异。以恢复期SARS病人血清为抗体,用间接免疫荧光法对感染后细胞培养的检测,冠状病毒RT-_PCR对感染后细胞RNA的检测,初步证明分离的病毒为冠状病毒。结果再次证明冠状病毒为SARS的病原,它具有较广泛的器官分布和细胞感染能力。血清中SARS冠状病毒的分离,高度提示在SARS发病过程中存在有病毒血症。     

血中检测SARS冠状病毒N蛋白在SARS实验室早期诊断中的作用

为明确严重急性呼吸综合症(SARS)冠状病毒N蛋白在SARS实验室早期诊断中的作用,通过微量中和试验及酶联免疫方法、间接免疫荧光法检测疑似病人恢复期血清(大于28天)中SARS-IgG抗体,确诊SARS患者。同时收集发病不同时期SARS及普通发热病人血清,利用酶联免疫方法检测SARS-CoVN蛋白,并与荧光定量PCR早期诊断方法相比较。共检测：广州地区2003年12月～2004．年1月新发4例确诊SARS患者不同时期的血液和咽漱液标本;恢复期血清SARS-CoV中和抗体阳性病人不同时期的血清46份;广州地区2003年1月～4月临床确诊SARS患者159例的血清和56例疑似患者血清;非SARS普通发热病人血清97份;正常人体检血清100份。结果：4例新发SARS患者的不同时期标本中,3例患者急性期血均检出N蛋白,优于常用的荧光定量PCR检测方法。46份SARS-CoV中和抗体阳性的血清标本,N蛋白检出率为100％。159例临床确诊病例中,发病早期5天以内SARS-CoVN蛋白的检出率为92．3％,随后呈现逐步下降的趋势,在发病第18天仍可检出。56例临床疑似患者发病早期也有23．2％检出率。而97例普通发热病人及100份正常人血清中均未能检测出SARS-CoVN蛋白。表明在血清中检测SARS冠状病毒N蛋白的方法敏感性和特异性都好,对SARS实验室早期诊断具有重要作用。     

冠状病毒是引起广州地区严重急性呼吸综合征(SARS)的主要病因

为查找引起广州地区流行的严重急性呼吸综合征(SARS)的病原体,采集患者漱口液及尸解标本,用组织培养法接种人胚肺细胞、MDCK细胞、Hep-2细胞和鸡胚分离病毒,用间接免疫荧光法检测患者恢复期血清lgG抗体,确定分离的病原是SARS的主要病因,再用套式RT—PCR、免疫电镜法鉴定病原。结果用人胚肺、Hep-2细胞在75份漱口液和3例尸解组织中分离出13株病原体,经套式RT—PCR扩增出110bp的特异产物,经测序证实为冠状病毒。制备冠状病毒的抗原,检测30份SARS病人恢复期血,其中26份血清lgG抗体阳性。同时检测30份普通发热病人血清作对照,IgG抗体全部阴性。由此证明,经组织培养分离到的病原体是引起SARS的致病因子,用分子生物学方法测序后证实为冠状病毒。     

SARS病毒快速检测膜研制

建立一种快速检测严重急性呼吸综合症冠状病毒(SARS-CoV)的方法。从SARS冠状病毒刺突蛋白基因中扩增出羧基端片段,克隆并表达。用经Ni-NTA树脂纯化的表达蛋白作为抗原包被硝酸纤维素膜,捕获感染SARS病人血清中的抗体。抗原抗体通过渗滤在膜上反应,5min肉眼即可观察到结果。通过比较不同试剂用量条件下的结果确定检测抗原的最佳浓度。通过本产品检测已经过ELISA验证的50份血清样品证明两种检测结果无显著性差异(P>0.05)。与ELISA相比,该检测方法特异性、灵敏性几乎相当,但具有简单、快速、成本低廉等ELISA所无法比拟的优点,适合于初步诊断和流行病学调查。     

从多角度分析SARS-CoV-2和SARS冠状病毒(SARS-CoV)差异

新型冠状病毒肺炎(COVID-19)在全球范围内持续肆虐,感染人数与日俱增.COVID-19的病毒SARS-CoV-2与2003年发生的严重急性呼吸系统综合症冠状病毒(SARS coronavirus,SARS-CoV)同属冠状病毒.本研究就COVID-19与SARS冠状病毒的差异以及两种冠状病毒的中间宿主进行分析和探讨,并对SARS冠状病毒中间宿主果子狸的关系进行分析,以期为从野生动物角度防控病毒疾病提供参考,也为了解冠状病毒的的传播途径提供借鉴.     

SARS和MERS中和抗体假病毒检测方法的建立

严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒(SARS-CoV)和中东呼吸综合征冠状病毒(MERS-CoV)均属冠状病毒科(Coronaviridae),能够引起人类严重疾病,特别是SARS-CoV可以导致严重急性呼吸综合征,而且容易造成暴发式流行,引起社会恐慌。本研究利用含有SARS-CoV和MERS-CoV棘突蛋白(Spike protein,S)基因的表达质粒pcD-NA3.1-SS、pcDNA3.1-MS,成功构建了高滴度假病毒,在此基础上通过对病毒接种量进行优化,建立了稳定可靠的假病毒中和抗体检测方法,并通过检测SARS恢复期病人血清以及免疫后小鼠血清对方法的特异性、稳定性以及重复性进行分析,充分证明了该方法是有效的血清中和抗体的检测手段。本研究成功构建了不依赖于BSL-3级生物安全条件的SARS和MERS假病毒,不仅可应用于血清中和抗体检测,还为后续单克隆抗体及抗病毒药物筛选和评价、疫苗研发及病毒感染机制研究等奠定了基础。     

Pathways of cross-species transmission of synthetically reconstructed zoonotic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus

Zoonotic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) likely evolved to infect humans by a series of transmission events between humans and animals in markets in China. Virus sequence data suggest that the palm civet served as an amplification host in which civet and human interaction fostered the evolution of the epidemic SARS Urbani strain. The prototypic civet strain of SARS-CoV, SZ16, was isolated from a palm civet but has not been successfully cultured in vitro. To propagate a chimeric recombinant SARS-CoV bearing an SZ16 spike (S) glycoprotein (icSZ16-S), we constructed cell lines expressing the civet ortholog (DBT-cACE2) of the SARS-CoV receptor (hACE2). Zoonotic SARS-CoV was completely dependent on ACE2 for entry. Urbani grew with similar kinetics in both the DBT-cACE2 and the DBT-hACE2 cells, while icSZ16-S only grew in DBT-cACE2 cells. The SZ16-S mutant viruses adapted to human airway epithelial cells and displayed enhanced affinity for hACE2 but exhibited severe growth defects in the DBT-cACE2 cells, suggesting that the evolutionary pathway that promoted efficient hACE2 interactions simultaneously abolished efficient cACE2 interactions. Structural modeling predicted two distinct biochemical interaction networks by which zoonotic receptor binding domain architecture can productively engage hACE2, but only the Urbani mutational repertoire promoted efficient usage of both hACE2 and cACE2 binding interfaces. Since dual species tropism was preserved in Urbani, it is likely that the virus evolved a high affinity for cACE2/hACE2 receptors through adaptation via repeated passages between human and civet hosts. Furthermore, zoonotic SARS-CoV was variably neutralized by antibodies that were effective against the epidemic strain, highlighting their utility for evaluating passive immunization efficacy.     

Natural mutations in the receptor binding domain of spike glycoprotein determine the reactivity of cross-neutralization between palm civet coronavirus and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus

The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak of 2002 and 2003 occurred as a result of zoonotic transmission. Coronavirus (CoV) found in naturally infected palm civet (civet-CoV) represents the closest genetic relative to SARS-CoV, but the degree and the determinants of cross-neutralization among these viruses remain to be investigated. Studies indicate that the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV spike (S) glycoprotein contains major determinants for viral entry and neutralization. We aim to characterize the impact of natural mutations within the RBDs of civet-CoVs on viral entry and cross-neutralization. In this study, the S glycoprotein genes were recovered from naturally infected civets in central China (Hubei province), extending the geographic distribution of civet-CoV beyond the southeastern province of Guangdong. Moreover, pseudoviruses generated in our laboratory with four civet S genes, each with a distinct RBD, infected cells expressing human receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, but with 90 to 95% less efficiency compared to that of SARS-CoV. These four civet S genes were also constructed as DNA vaccines to immunize mice. Immunized sera elicited against most civet S glycoproteins displayed potent neutralizing activities against autologous viruses but were much less efficient (50% inhibitory concentration, 20- to 40-fold) at neutralizing SARS-CoV and vice versa. Convalescence-phase sera from humans were similarly ineffective against the dominant civet pseudovirus. Our findings suggest that the design of SARS vaccine should consider not only preventing the reemergence of SARS-CoV but also providing cross-protection, thus interrupting zoonotic transmission of a group of genetically divergent civet CoVs of broad geographic origin.     

Structural analysis of major species barriers between humans and palm civets for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus infections

It is believed that a novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), was passed from palm civets to humans and caused the epidemic of SARS in 2002 to 2003. The major species barriers between humans and civets for SARS-CoV infections are the specific interactions between a defined receptor-binding domain (RBD) on a viral spike protein and its host receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). In this study a chimeric ACE2 bearing the critical N-terminal helix from civet and the remaining peptidase domain from human was constructed, and it was shown that this construct has the same receptor activity as civet ACE2. In addition, crystal structures of the chimeric ACE2 complexed with RBDs from various human and civet SARS-CoV strains were determined. These structures, combined with a previously determined structure of human ACE2 complexed with the RBD from a human SARS-CoV strain, have revealed a structural basis for understanding the major species barriers between humans and civets for SARS-CoV infections. They show that the major species barriers are determined by interactions between four ACE2 residues (residues 31, 35, 38, and 353) and two RBD residues (residues 479 and 487), that early civet SARS-CoV isolates were prevented from infecting human cells due to imbalanced salt bridges at the hydrophobic virus/receptor interface, and that SARS-CoV has evolved to gain sustained infectivity for human cells by eliminating unfavorable free charges at the interface through stepwise mutations at positions 479 and 487. These results enhance our understanding of host adaptations and cross-species infections of SARS-CoV and other emerging animal viruses.     

恒河猴感染SARS-CoV的病毒学、血清学检测

目的对感染SARS-CoV的8只恒河猴进行病毒学、血清学指标检测。方法SARS-CoV经鼻腔接种8只恒河猴,在感染的第1天开始到5、7、10、15、20、30和60天分别安乐处死时,不同时间取咽拭子、血液和脏器,进行病毒分离,RT-PCR检测和抗体测定。结果RT-PCR证实感染病毒检出时间为5~16d,8只猴中的5只分离到了病毒,感染15d后可检测到抗体。结论感染SARS-CoV的恒河猴不仅出现与SARS患者类似的临床和病理学改变,也在一定时期内排毒,出现特异免疫反应,这些指标均可作为药物筛选、疫苗评价等方面的重要参数。     

Serological survey of the Iriomote cat (Felis iriomotensis) in Japan

The Iriomote cat (Felis iriomotensis) was first discovered on Iriomote Island in the Yaeyama Islands of Japan in 1965. Ten male and 11 female adult cats were captured during the 6 yr period from 1983 to 1988. These were examined for evidence of viral and mycoplasmal infections. Neither Mycoplasma sp. nor Ureaplasma sp. were detected in swab samples of oropharyngeal and urogenital regions. A foamy virus was isolated from the oropharyngeal swab of a female cat examined in 1988. Feline leukemia virus was not detected in any of the cats. All cats were negative for serum antibodies to feline panleukopenia virus, feline herpesvirus, feline immunodeficiency virus and rotavirus. Eleven of 19 (58%), 14 of 17 (82%) and 6 of 17 cats (35%) had serum antibodies against feline calicivirus, coronavirus and feline syncytium forming virus, respectively.     

SARS-CoV假病毒中和试验技术的建立及评价

为避免传统的SARS病毒中和试验需要操作活毒而存在的生物安全隐患,建立了基于假病毒系统、操作较安全的SARS中和试验技术平台。本研究应用高效表达SARS-CoV S(密码子优化的全长S蛋白,简称S)的真核表达载体(pVRC8304),与HIV慢病毒包装质粒(p CMV△8.2)及转移质粒(pHR′CMV EGFP)3个质粒载体系统共同转染人胚肾细胞293T,包装了SARS假病毒;通过SARS假病毒感染的RD-A细胞中标记基因EGFP表达的分析,确定SARS假病毒能有效进入细胞,建立了可在BSL-2级实验室操作的SARS病毒中和试验技术平台。用该技术平台对不同免疫血清进行了中和抗体分析,并比较了基于假病毒和基于SARS活病毒的中和试验效果。结果显示:SARS假病毒和SARS活病毒两个中和试验系统获得中和抗体滴度变化趋势一致,表明本研究构建的SARS假病毒可替代SARS活病毒用于建立操作上安全的SARS病毒中和试验技术平台。     

Characterization of humoral responses in mice immunized with plasmid DNAs encoding SARS-CoV spike gene fragments

The immunological characteristics of SARS-CoV spike protein were investigated by administering mice with plasmids encoding various S gene fragments. We showed that the secreting forms of S1, S2 subunits and the N-terminus of S1 subunit (residues 18-495) were capable of eliciting SARS-CoV specific antibodies and the region immediate to N-terminus of matured S1 protein contained an important immunogenic determinant for elicitation of SARS-CoV specific antibodies. In addition, mice immunized with plasmids encoding S1 fragment developed a Th1-mediated antibody isotype switching. Another interesting finding was that mouse antibodies elicited separately by plasmids encoding S1 and S2 subunits cooperatively neutralized SARS-CoV but neither the S1 nor S2 specific antibodies did, suggesting the possible role of both S1 and S2 subunits in host cell docking and entry. These results provide insights into understanding the immunological characteristics of spike protein and the development of subunit vaccines against SARS-CoV.     

Cross-neutralization of human and palm civet severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses by antibodies targeting the receptor-binding domain of spike protein

The spike (S) protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) is considered as a protective Ag for vaccine design. We previously demonstrated that the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of S protein contains multiple conformational epitopes (Conf I-VI) that confer the major target of neutralizing Abs. Here we show that the recombinant RBDs derived from the S protein sequences of Tor2, GD03, and SZ3, the representative strains of human 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 SARS-CoV and palm civet SARS-CoV, respectively, induce in the immunized mice and rabbits high titers of cross-neutralizing Abs against pseudoviruses expressing S proteins of Tor2, GD03, and SZ3. We also demonstrate that the Tor2-RBD induced-Conf I-VI mAbs can potently neutralize both human SARS-CoV strains, Tor2 and GD03. However, only the Conf IV-VI, but not Conf I-III mAbs, neutralize civet SARS-CoV strain SZ3. All these mAbs reacted significantly with each of the three RBD variants (Tor2-RBD, GD03-RBD, and SZ3-RBD) that differ at several amino acids. Regardless, the Conf I-IV and VI epitopes were completely disrupted by single-point mutation of the conserved residues in the RBD (e.g., D429A, R441A, or D454A) and the Conf III epitope was significantly affected by E452A or D463A substitution. Interestingly, the Conf V epitope, which may overlap the receptor-binding motif and induce most potent neutralizing Abs, was conserved in these mutants. These data suggest that the major neutralizing epitopes of SARS-CoV have been apparently maintained during cross-species transmission, and that RBD-based vaccines may induce broad protection against both human and animal SARS-CoV variants.     

Mechanisms of zoonotic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus host range expansion in human airway epithelium

In 2003, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) emerged and caused over 8,000 human cases of infection and more than 700 deaths worldwide. Zoonotic SARS-CoV likely evolved to infect humans by a series of transmission events between humans and animals for sale in China. Using synthetic biology, we engineered the spike protein (S) from a civet strain, SZ16, into our epidemic strain infectious clone, creating the chimeric virus icSZ16-S, which was infectious but yielded progeny viruses incapable of propagating in vitro. After introducing a K479N mutation within the S receptor binding domain (RBD) of SZ16, the recombinant virus (icSZ16-S K479N) replicated in Vero cells but was severely debilitated in growth. The in vitro evolution of icSZ16-S K479N on human airway epithelial (HAE) cells produced two viruses (icSZ16-S K479N D8 and D22) with enhanced growth on HAE cells and on delayed brain tumor cells expressing the SARS-CoV receptor, human angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 (hACE2). The icSZ16-S K479N D8 and D22 virus RBDs contained mutations in ACE2 contact residues, Y442F and L472F, that remodeled S interactions with hACE2. Further, these viruses were neutralized by a human monoclonal antibody (MAb), S230.15, but the parent icSZ16-S K479N strain was eight times more resistant than the mutants. These data suggest that the human adaptation of zoonotic SARS-CoV strains may select for some variants that are highly susceptible to select MAbs that bind to RBDs. The epidemic, icSZ16-S K479N, and icSZ16-S K479N D22 viruses replicate similarly in the BALB/c mouse lung, highlighting the potential use of these zoonotic spike SARS-CoVs to assess vaccine or serotherapy efficacy in vivo.