A Novel Rabies Vaccine Based on a Recombinant Parainfluenza Virus 5 Expressing Rabies Virus Glycoprotein

Untreated rabies virus (RABV) infection leads to death. Vaccine and postexposure treatment have been effective in preventing RABV infection. However, due to cost, rabies vaccination and treatment have not been widely used in developing countries. There are 55,000 human death caused by rabies annually. An efficacious and cost-effective rabies vaccine is needed. Parainfluenza virus 5 (PIV5) is thought to contribute to kennel cough, and kennel cough vaccines containing live PIV5 have been used in dogs for many years. In this work, a PIV5-vectored rabies vaccine was tested in mice. A recombinant PIV5 encoding RABV glycoprotein (G) (rPIV5-RV-G) was administered to mice via intranasal (i.n.), intramuscular (i.m.), and oral inoculation. The vaccinated mice were challenged with a 50% lethal challenge dose (LD₅₀) of RABV challenge virus standard 24 (CVS-24) intracerebrally. A single dose of 10⁶ PFU of rPIV5-RV-G was sufficient for 100% protection when administered via the i.n. route. The mice vaccinated with a single dose of 10⁸ PFU of rPIV5-RV-G via the i.m. route showed very robust protection (90% to 100%). Intriguingly, the mice vaccinated orally with a single dose of 10⁸ PFU of rPIV5-RV-G showed a 50% survival rate, which is comparable to the 60% survival rate among mice inoculated with an attenuated rabies vaccine strain, recombinant LBNSE. This is first report of an orally effective rabies vaccine candidate in animals based on PIV5 as a vector. These results indicate that rPIV5-RV-G is an excellent candidate for a new generation of recombinant rabies vaccine for humans and animals and PIV5 is a potential vector for oral vaccines.     

Hemagglutination by Rabies Virus

Goose erythrocytes were agglutinated by five strains of rabies virus grown in monolayer cell cultures at pH 6.4 and at 0 to 4 C. Hemagglutination was not affected by the cell type in which the virus was grown. Prerequisites for occurrence of hemagglutination are absence of hemagglutination inhibitors (such as those contained in bovine serum) and a relatively high virus concentration (> 10(6) plaque-forming units of virus per ml). "Soluble" hemagglutinin was not present in crude preparations of extracellular virus. Treatment of purified preparations of extracellular virus with Tween 80 and ether did not result in release of a "soluble" hemagglutinin. The hemagglutinating property of extracellular virus seemed to be conditioned by the integrity of its coat. Preparations of infectious intracellular virus exhibited about 15 times lower hemagglutinating activity than extracellular virus. This decreased hemagglutinating activity did not seem to be caused by binding of hemagglutination inhibitors to the virus particles. Rabies virus can be quantitatively adsorbed onto and eluted from erythrocytes. Erythrocytes pretreated with rabies virus retained their ability to be agglutinated by the same virus strain. The reaction with rabies virus of erythrocytes treated with the receptor-destroying enzyme or KIO(4) was the same as that of nontreated erythrocytes. The hemagglutinating component of rabies virus, therefore, does not exhibit neuraminidase activity. Treatment of extracellular virus by various agents indicated that the hemagglutinating component consists of protein or lipoprotein. Sulfhydryl groups present in the viral hemagglutinin are essential for hemagglutination.     

Presence of Virus Neutralizing Antibodies in Cerebral Spinal Fluid Correlates with Non-Lethal Rabies in Dogs

Background

Rabies is traditionally considered a uniformly fatal disease after onset of clinical manifestations. However, increasing evidence indicates that non-lethal infection as well as recovery from flaccid paralysis and encephalitis occurs in laboratory animals as well as humans.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Non-lethal rabies infection in dogs experimentally infected with wild type dog rabies virus (RABV, wt DRV-Mexico) correlates with the presence of high level of virus neutralizing antibodies (VNA) in the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) and mild immune cell accumulation in the central nervous system (CNS). By contrast, dogs that succumbed to rabies showed only little or no VNA in the serum or in the CSF and severe inflammation in the CNS. Dogs vaccinated with a rabies vaccine showed no clinical signs of rabies and survived challenge with a lethal dose of wild-type DRV. VNA was detected in the serum, but not in the CSF of immunized dogs. Thus the presence of VNA is critical for inhibiting virus spread within the CNS and eventually clearing the virus from the CNS.

Conclusions/Significance

Non-lethal infection with wt RABV correlates with the presence of VNA in the CNS. Therefore production of VNA within the CNS or invasion of VNA from the periphery into the CNS via compromised blood-brain barrier is important for clearing the virus infection from CNS, thereby preventing an otherwise lethal rabies virus infection.     

人源抗狂犬病毒二硫键稳定性Fv抗体的生物学特性研究

对抗狂犬病毒scFv进行稳定性改构 ,纯化制备有活性的人源抗狂犬病毒二硫键稳定性Fv抗体片段 (dsFv) ,然后对其生物学活性进行研究。将dsFvV_H 、V_L 基因在原核表达系统pET22b(+) BL21(DE3)中表达 ,将其包涵体分别在变性缓冲液中溶解 ,稀释后加入折叠缓冲液使其折叠形成有活性的dsFv抗体片段 ,上Ni-NTA柱进行纯化。然后以其亲本scFv作为对照 ,对dsFv的亲和力、稳定性以及体外中和活性进行评价。结果显示 ,与其母本抗体scFv相比 ,改构后的抗狂犬病毒dsFv保持了对狂犬病毒Vero疫苗的特异性识别能力 ,而且其亲和力明显提高 ;抗狂犬病毒dsFv在血清和BSA中的稳定性有明显的改进 ,而且其热稳定性和抵抗尿素化学变性的能力亦大大改进 ;蚀斑减少中和实验显示 ,抗狂犬病毒dsFv抗体片段能特异中和狂犬病毒 ,阻止狂犬病毒对Vero细胞的吸附 ,抑制狂犬病毒对靶细胞的感染 ,从而导致蚀斑减少甚至消失 ;scFv抗体片段仅可部分抑制蚀斑的形成 ,但不能全部抑制。这为进一步研究抗狂犬病毒dsFv基因工程抗体的免疫保护作用及其在临床的应用奠定了基础。     

Proteomic Profiling of Purified Rabies Virus Particles

While host proteins incorporated into virions during viral budding from infected cell are known to play essential roles in multiple process of the life cycle of progeny virus, these characteristics have been largely neglected in studies on rabies virus(RABV). Here, we purified the RABV virions with good purity and integrity, and analyzed their proteome by nano LC–MS/MS, followed by the confirmation with immunoblot and immuno-electronic microscopy. In addition to the 5 viral proteins, 49 cellular proteins were reproducibly identified to be incorporated into matured RABV virions. Function annotation suggested that 24 of them were likely involved in virus replication. Furthermore, cryo-EM was employed to observe the purified RABV virions, generating high-resolution pictures of the bullet-shaped virion structure of RABV. This study has provided new insights into the host proteins composition in RABV virion and shed the light for further investigation on molecular mechanisms of RABV infection, as well as the discovery of new anti-RABV therapeutics.     

Localization of Rabies Virus Glycoprotein into the Endoplasmic Reticulum Produces Immunoprotective Antigen

Rabies virus surface glycoprotein (rabies G-protein) with (G+RS) and without (G?RS) endoplasmic reticulum retrieval signal was expressed and characterized in tobacco plants. Transgenically expressed rabies G-protein was estimated at 0.015?C0.38?% of total leaf protein. The relative migration of the rabies G-protein on SDS-PAGE was at the position, as anticipated for the viral coat protein (~66?kDa). Immunolocalization by confocal microscopy established that immunoprotective G+RS expressed in tobacco was primarily confined to ER. G+RS showed binding to Con A lectin and was susceptible to N-glycosidase F activity similar to native rabies G-protein. However, the G?RS transgenically expressed in tobacco leaves was glycosylated differently and was resitant to N-glycosidase F. Immunological studies and Rapid Fluorescent Foci Inhibition Test (RFFIT) showed that G+RS was immunogenic and immunoprotective, whereas G?RS was moderately immunogenic but non-protective against live virus challenge. Hence, plants can express the antigenic component of rabies virus with suitable glycosylation, which is important to give protection against rabies virus infection.     

用CaG株毒种制备精制狂犬病疫苗的研究

通过对狂犬病毒aG株在金黄地鼠肾细胞上传代培养,获得一种新型狂犬病毒毒株,即地鼠肾细胞适应株(CaG株)[1].由于该毒种具有生产方法简单,成本低廉,且外源因子污染机率小等优点,因此试用该毒种生产精制狂犬病疫苗.在相同条件下,分别用豚鼠脑毒种和细胞毒种各生产3批病毒原液,经相同纯化工艺制备成精制狂犬病疫苗.经初步检定用细胞毒种制备的疫苗安全性良好,疫苗免疫效价与豚鼠脑毒种疫苗无明显差异.     

Identification of a Role for Nucleolin in Rabies Virus Infection

Rabies virus replicates in the cytoplasm of host cells, but rabies virus phosphoprotein (P-protein) undergoes active nucleocytoplasmic trafficking. Here we show that the largely nuclear P-protein isoform P3 can localize to nucleoli and forms specific interactions with nucleolin. Importantly, depletion of nucleolin expression inhibits viral protein expression and infectious virus production by infected cells. This provides the first evidence that lyssaviruses interact with nucleolin and that nucleolin is important to lyssavirus infection.     

重组人抗狂犬病病毒单抗SO57、SOJB对不同狂犬病病毒毒株中和作用的研究

用不同的动物模型研究了具有专利的重组人抗狂犬病病毒单克隆抗体SO57、SOJB对不同狂犬病病毒株的中和作用,100IU/kg的SO57能100%保护被中国街毒株SBD攻击的中国仓鼠;首次用小鼠模型模拟人体被狂犬病病毒攻击后的治疗情况,在小鼠被CVS及中国街毒代表株攻击后,SO57与HRIG具有相近的对小鼠的暴露后保护作用;同时结果显示HRIG对SBD株攻击的保护率不能到达100%,仅使用疫苗是不能对感染病毒的小鼠百分之百的保护;SOJB与SO57 1:1联合使用未显示比SO57单独使用更好的保护效果。SO57极有可能在中国代替HRIG用于狂犬病病毒暴露后治疗。     

用lac基因筛选表达狂犬病毒糖蛋白的重组痘苗病毒

为了研制基因工程狂犬病疫苗,我国于1991年首次报道了在痘苗病毒天坛株中表达狂犬病毒糖蛋白,但报道中重组病毒的选择是先经人骨髓瘤细胞(TK-143)在诱变剂5-溴脱氧尿苷(BrudR)作用下通过标记拯救技术筛选出携带有同源基因的重组病毒,然后再利用重组病毒中携带的Lac基因为选择标记,通过噬斑纯化获得重组病毒,用这种选择方式获得的重组病毒,经过了TK-143细胞和BrudR,因此不宜发展成疫苗,本研究探索不经过TK-143细胞和BrudR,仅利用Lac基因为选择标记,直接在鸡胚细胞上通过噬斑纯化获得重组病毒,现将研究结果报道如下。     

狂犬病毒核蛋白（NP）的纯化及其免疫原性的研究

对重组痘苗毒和重杆状病毒表达的狂犬病毒NP及原代地鼠肾细胞培养的狂犬病毒核衣壳蛋白（RNP）、先经Sepharose CL 4B分子筛柱初步提纯,再经抗狂犬病毒NP McAB 2C12-S-epharose 4B亲和层析柱纯化分离,经ELISA、SDS－PAGE电泳和Western-Blot分析证实,获得了高纯度和免疫反应性的NP和RNP。以相同剂量的纯化蛋白免疫小鼠,RNP和两种重组NP均可诱生特异的抗NP抗体,三种蛋白间无明显差异;狂犬病毒CVS株攻击保护实验结果显示,三种蛋白免疫的小鼠存活率约为50％;两种重组NP的免疫反应性和免疫原性与天然狂犬病毒RNP相似。     

狂犬病毒核蛋白(NP)的纯化及其免疫原性的研究

对重组痘苗病毒和重组杆状病毒表达的狂犬病毒NP及原代地鼠肾细胞培养的狂犬病毒核衣壳蛋白（RNP）,先经Sepharose CL 4B分子筛柱初步提纯,再以抗狂犬病毒NP McAB 2C12-Sepharose 4B亲和层析柱纯化分离,经ELISA,SDS-PAGE电泳和Western-Blot分析证实,获得了高纯度和免疫反应性的NP和RNP。以相同剂量的纯化蛋白免疫小鼠,RNP和两种重组NP均可诱生特异的抗NP抗体,三种蛋白间无明显差异;狂犬病毒CVS株攻击保护实验结果显示,三种蛋白免疫的小鼠存活率约为50%;两种重组NP的免疫反应性和免疫原性与天然狂犬病毒RNP相似。     

Rabies virus infection of cultured rat sensory neurons.

The axonal transport of rabies virus (challenge virus strain of fixed virus) was studied in differentiated rat embryonic dorsal root ganglion cells. In addition, we observed the attachment of rabies virus to neuronal extensions and virus production by infected neurons. A compartmentalized cell culture system was used, allowing infection and manipulation of neuronal extensions without exposing the neural soma to the virus. The cultures consisted of 60% large neuronal cells whose extensions exhibited neurofilament structures. Rabies virus demonstrated high binding affinity to unmyelinated neurites, as suggested by assays of virus adsorption and immunofluorescence studies. The rate of axoplasmic transport of virus was 12 to 24 mm/day, including the time required for internalization of the virus into neurites. The virus transport could be blocked by cytochalasin B, vinblastine, and colchicine, none of which negatively affected the production of virus in cells once the infection was established. It was concluded that, for the retrograde transfer of rabies virus by neurites from the periphery to the neuronal soma, the integrity of tubulin- and actin-containing structures is essential. The rat sensory neurons were characterized as permissive, moderately susceptible, but low producers of rabies virus. These neurons were capable of harboring rabies virus for long periods of time and able to release virus into the culture medium without showing any morphological alterations. The involvement of sensory neurons in rabies virus pathogenesis, both in viral transport and as a site for persistent viral infection, is discussed.     

重组人源抗狂犬病毒单克隆抗体SO57、SOJB对狂犬病毒G蛋白亲和力的比较研究

一直以来,狂犬病是一种严重的人类致死性传染病。对狂犬病暴露后的预防主要是采用抗狂犬病毒免疫球蛋白（RIG）结合狂犬疫苗注射的方法。目前使用的两类RIG为人RIG（HRIG）和马RIG（ERIG）,它们都是从免疫血清中分离出来的。由于HRIG成本高且产量少,质量难以控制,有潜在病毒污染的风险;而ERIG存在引起过敏反应等问题,因此,人们期望抗狂犬病毒人单克隆抗体能够取代RIG,用于狂犬病的暴露后预防。在狂犬病毒的多种免疫原物质中,狂犬病毒糖蛋白（以下简称G蛋白）是诱导产生抗病毒免疫保护的一种主要抗原,同时也是诱导产生病毒中和抗体并与之反应的唯一抗原。针对G蛋白的抗狂犬病毒抗体中和细胞外的狂犬病毒,并介导感染细胞的裂解及抗体依赖性的细胞毒性。在Dietzschold等发现的几株针对G蛋白的人单克隆中和抗体中,中和毒株的范围最广、抗体效价最高的为SO57,除此之外,SOJB也是目前研究较多的针对G蛋白的人单克隆中和抗体。     

狂犬病毒CTN—1株在Vero细胞上的适应传代研究

本文报导了用我国狂犬病毒固定毒人二倍体细胞适应株（ＣＴＮ－１）进行Ｖｅｒｏ细胞适应传代研究。通过连续传代培养,滴度可达８．０１ｏｇＬＤ５０／ｍｌ,达到了ＷＨＯ规定的不需浓缩的标准。病毒用０．０１ＭＯＩ感染细胞其产量与１Ｍｏｌ感染量相仿。病毒增殖高峰在４－５天,维持达１５天无明显下降,且可连续收获４－５次。因此,该毒种符合ＷＨＯ提出的疫苗生产毒种要求,可用于狂犬病疫苗生产。     

The Production of Antibody by Invading B Cells Is Required for the Clearance of Rabies Virus from the Central Nervous System

Background

The pathogenesis of rabies is associated with the inability to deliver immune effectors across the blood-brain barrier and to clear virulent rabies virus from CNS tissues. However, the mechanisms that facilitate immune effector entry into CNS tissues are induced by infection with attenuated rabies virus.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Infection of normal mice with attenuated rabies virus but not immunization with killed virus can promote the clearance of pathogenic rabies virus from the CNS. T cell activity in B cell–deficient mice can control the replication of attenuated virus in the CNS, but viral mRNA persists. Low levels of passively administered rabies virus–neutralizing antibody reach infected cells in the cerebellum of B cell–deficient mice but are not sufficient to mediate virus clearance. Production of rabies virus-specific antibody by B cells invading CNS tissues is required for this process, and a substantial proportion of the B cells that accumulate in the CNS of mice infected with attenuated rabies virus produce virus-specific antibodies.

Conclusions/Significance

The mechanisms required for immune effectors to enter rabies virus-infected tissues are induced by infection with attenuated rabies virus but not by infection with pathogenic rabies viruses or immunization with killed virus. T cell activities can inhibit rabies virus replication, but the production of rabies virus–specific antibodies by infiltrating B cells, as opposed to the leakage of circulating antibody across the BBB, is critical to elimination of the virus. These findings suggest that a pathogenic rabies virus infection may be treatable after the virus has reached the CNS tissues, providing that the appropriate immune effectors can be targeted to the infected tissues.     

Collaboration of Antibody and Inflammation in Clearance of Rabies Virus from the Central Nervous System

To investigate the involvement of various cellular and humoral aspects of immunity in the clearance of rabies virus from the central nervous system, (CNS), we studied the development of clinical signs and virus clearance from the CNS in knockout mice lacking either B and T cells, CD8⁺ cytotoxic T cells, B cells, alpha/beta interferon (IFN-α/β) receptors, IFN-γ receptors, or complement components C3 and C4. Following intranasal infection with the attenuated rabies virus CVS-F3, normal adult mice of different genetic backgrounds developed a transient disease characterized by loss of body weight and appetite depression which peaked at 13 days postinfection (p.i.). While these animals had completely recovered by day 21 p.i., mice lacking either B and T cells or B cells alone developed a progressive disease and succumbed to infection. Mice lacking either CD8⁺ T cells, IFN receptors, or complement components C3 and C4 showed no significant differences in the development of clinical signs by comparison with intact counterparts having the same genetic background. However, while infectious virus and viral RNA could be detected in normal control mice only until day 8 p.i., in all of the gene knockout mice studied except those lacking C3 and C4, virus infection persisted through day 21 p.i. Analysis of rabies virus-specific antibody production together with histological assessment of brain inflammation in infected animals revealed that clearance of CVS-F3 by 21 days p.i. correlated with both a strong inflammatory response in the CNS early in the infection (day 8 p.i.), and the rapid (day 10 p.i.) production of significant levels of virus-neutralizing antibody (VNA). These studies confirm that rabies VNA is an absolute requirement for clearance of an established rabies virus infection. However, for the latter to occur in a timely fashion, collaboration between VNA and inflammatory mechanisms is necessary.