Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Modulates Cellular Vimentin for Virus Survival

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), the causative agent of foot-and-mouth disease, is an Aphthovirus within the Picornaviridae family. During infection with FMDV, several host cell membrane rearrangements occur to form sites of viral replication. FMDV protein 2C is part of the replication complex and thought to have multiple roles during virus replication. To better understand the role of 2C in the process of virus replication, we have been using a yeast two-hybrid approach to identify host proteins that interact with 2C. We recently reported that cellular Beclin1 is a natural ligand of 2C and that it is involved in the autophagy pathway, which was shown to be important for FMDV replication. Here, we report that cellular vimentin is also a specific host binding partner for 2C. The 2C-vimentin interaction was further confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence staining to occur in FMDV-infected cells. It was shown that upon infection a vimentin structure forms around 2C and that this structure is later resolved or disappears. Interestingly, overexpression of vimentin had no effect on virus replication; however, overexpression of a truncated dominant-negative form of vimentin resulted in a significant decrease in viral yield. Acrylamide, which causes disruption of vimentin filaments, also inhibited viral yield. Alanine scanning mutagenesis was used to map the specific amino acid residues in 2C critical for vimentin binding. Using reverse genetics, we identified 2C residues that are necessary for virus growth, suggesting that the interaction between FMDV 2C and cellular vimentin is essential for virus replication.     

Inactivation of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus with Ethylenimine

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) was inactivated by ethylenimine (EI) at three concentrations and two temperatures. Comparison of inactivation kinetics and the antigenic and immunogenic potency of EI and N-acetylethylenimine (AEI)-inactivated FMDV indicates that EI has nearly optimal characteristics as an inactivant for FMDV vaccine preparation. Although AEI-inactivated FMDV has proved to be a potent specific immunogen, an equivalent percentage of EI inactivated FMDV at substantially faster rates and produced an equally potent immunogen. In addition, EI inactivated FMDV at rates that were essentially linear throughout the loss of nearly all measurable infectivity.     

Passive Hemagglutination-Inhibition Test for Typing Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus

In addition to currently used serological tests for the occurrence of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), a specific "passive" hemagglutination-inhibition (HAI) test has been developed as a supplement. Serial twofold dilutions of antiserum (0.05 ml) were mixed with 0.05 ml of a constant concentration of FMDV. After incubating for 30 min at 37 C, agglutinating antibodies were determined by adding 0.1 ml of 2.5% virus-sensitized erythrocytes. The minimum concentration of antiserum required to agglutinate the erythrocytes defined the inhibition in the HAI test. Similar tests using different concentrations of virus to inhibit antibodies were carried out in parallel fashion. The relationship between the logarithm of the HAI titer and the concentration of inhibiting virus was nearly first order (P > 0.25). The slope was used as a measure of the relative specificities of the antigen-antibody interaction and was independent of concentration. The HAI test was type-, subtype-, strain-, and variant-specific with the viral antigens used. In particular, typing was performed directly on bovine antisera.     

Biotechnological Approach to a new Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Vaccine

Abstract

The 2A region of the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) encodes a short sequence that mediates self-processing by a novel translational effect. Translation elongation arrest leads to release of the nascent polypeptide and re-initiation at the next in-frame codon. In this way discrete translation products are derived from a single open read-size of 2A peptides compared to internal promoters or IRES sequences makes them ideal candidates for use in size-restricted viral and nonviral vectors. Additionally, the diversity of the 2A sequence minimizes the chances for homologous recombination which is an important consideration when using retroviral or lentiviral systems. One outstanding question is the effect of the 2A “tag” attached to the C-terminus of the upstream protein. This may interfere with function, or more importantly may present a new epitope that could be subject to immunological surveillance. However, the attachment of extra amino acids is a routine method for labelling transgene products while leaving their function intact (e.g. tags such as the His tag and Myc tag). To our knowledge, the 2A tag does not impair activity and expression - proteins that require authentic termini, or are N-/C- terminally modified, can be introduced as the first or final polyprotein domain, respectively. In any event, strategies have now been devised that allow removal of the 2A linker (see François et al., 2004; Fang et al., 2005). The “unwanted” tag may however stick – antibodies directed against 2A can be used to detect the gene cloned upstream (Ryan and Drew, 1994; de Felipe et al., 2003, 2006). Lastly, the presence of a proline residue at the N-terminus of the downstream protein, as a relict of the 2A self-cleaving process, does not normally interfere with function – it does, however, confer high protein stability (Varshavsky, 1992).

Aware of the factors that influence expression levels it is important to empirically design any co-expression cassette to ensure the polyprotein is the most suitable arrangement in respect to desired function. As a form of control of protein biogenesis, 2A sequences are much more wide-spread than was first suspected. To appease different and opposing sensibilities, 2A variants that are not found in mammalian viruses can be used just as effectively for the production of multiple protein products. Although a relative new-kid-on-the-block in terms of co-expression studies, 2A can safely be considered an “established” player. It is clear that assorted 2A-derived proteins with diverse and distinct localized functions may be stably expressed in several different cell types demonstrating the applicability of this technology in biomedicine and biotechnology. The biotechnological applications of 2A are continually updated on www.st-andrews.ac.uk/ryanlab/Index.htm We envisage that 2A technology will become one of the predominant strategies for multigene delivery in the coming years.     

口蹄疫病毒RT-LAMP检测方法的建立

利用逆转录环介导等温核酸扩增技术(RT-LAMP),建立了口蹄疫病毒快速检测方法,同时评价了该方法的灵敏性和特异性。结果表明,根据口蹄疫病毒多聚蛋白基因保守区段设计的LAMP引物能够在65℃下,1 h内实现目标核酸区段的大量扩增,检测结果可直接用肉眼判断。该检测体系具有极高的特异性,只能检测到目标病毒,与其他类似病毒如猪水泡病病毒、猪瘟病毒、猪细小病毒等无交叉反应,可检测到10-5稀释度的目标病毒核酸量,比普通RT-PCR的灵敏性高100倍,比荧光PCR高10倍。     

口蹄疫病毒单克隆抗体的制备及应用研究进展

口蹄疫是严重影响全球政治经济的烈性动物传染病,快速诊断及有效防治对口蹄疫的防控具有重要意义。单克隆抗体具有高特异性、均质、活性单一等优点,在生物医学领域中有广泛用途。目前,国内外学者制备了多种抗口蹄疫病毒的单克隆抗体,并应用于口蹄疫病毒抗原定型、疫苗量化、抗体水平监测、自然感染与疫苗免疫动物的鉴别诊断,以及口蹄疫病毒抗原表位分析等方面。我们简要综述口蹄疫病毒单克隆抗体的制备及应用进展。     

Serotype-Specific Transmission and Waning Immunity of Endemic Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus in Cameroon

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) causes morbidity and mortality in a range of animals and threatens local economies by acting as a barrier to international trade. The outbreak in the United Kingdom in 2001 that cost billions to control highlighted the risk that the pathogen poses to agriculture. In response, several mathematical models have been developed to parameterize and predict both transmission dynamics and optimal disease control. However, a lack of understanding of the multi-strain etiology prevents characterization of multi-strain dynamics. Here, we use data from FMDV serology in an endemic setting to probe strain-specific transmission and immunodynamics. Five serotypes of FMDV affect cattle in the Far North Region of Cameroon. We fit both catalytic and reverse catalytic models to serological data to estimate the force of infection and the rate of waning immunity, and to detect periods of sustained transmission. For serotypes SAT2, SAT3, and type A, a model assuming life-long immunity fit better. For serotypes SAT1 and type O, the better-fit model suggests that immunity may wane over time. Our analysis further indicates that type O has the greatest force of infection and the longest duration of immunity. Estimates for the force of infection were time-varying and indicated that serotypes SAT1 and O displayed endemic dynamics, serotype A displayed epidemic dynamics, and SAT2 and SAT3 did not sustain local chains of transmission. Since these results were obtained from the same population at the same time, they highlight important differences in transmission specific to each serotype. They also show that immunity wanes at rates specific to each serotype, which influences patterns of local persistence. Overall, this work shows that viral serotypes can differ significantly in their epidemiological and immunological characteristics. Patterns and processes that drive transmission in endemic settings must consider complex viral dynamics for accurate representation and interpretation.     

Complement-Fixation Analysis of Four Subtypes of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Type A

Complement-fixation patterns were established for four subtypes of foot-and-mouth disease virus by block assays against homologous and heterologous antiserum. Inhibition of fixation by excess antigen was observed in most homologous systems but rarely in the heterologous systems. The heterologous antibody titers were, in all instances, considerably lower than those for the homologous systems. Although relatively high dilutions of antiserum may be desirable for subtyping, higher concentrations of antibody should be used for determining serological types.     

利用核糖体展示技术筛选口蹄疫病毒 单链抗体基因

目的:利用核糖体展示技术筛选口蹄疫病毒特异性单链抗体基因。方法:在已构建好的核糖体展示文库的基础上,利用核糖体展示技术,经过5轮的体外转录、体外转译、亲和筛选和RT-PCR,将得到的序列进行测序分析。结果:筛选到FMDV scFv基因,且基因得到富集。结论:实验运用核糖体展示技术,以FMDV抗原和纯化的146S病毒粒子为靶标筛选到了FMDV scFv基因,将为scFv用于FMD的基础研究、免疫学研究以及为预防、治疗和诊断提供帮助,也为研制FMD的快速诊断技术奠定先前基础。     

Viroporin Activity of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Non-Structural 2B Protein

Viroporins are a family of low-molecular-weight hydrophobic transmembrane proteins that are encoded by various animal viruses. Viroporins form transmembrane pores in host cells via oligomerization, thereby destroying cellular homeostasis and inducing cytopathy for virus replication and virion release. Among the Picornaviridae family of viruses, the 2B protein encoded by enteroviruses is well understood, whereas the viroporin activity of the 2B protein encoded by the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) has not yet been described. An analysis of the FMDV 2B protein domains by computer-aided programs conducted in this study revealed that this protein may contain two transmembrane regions. Further biochemical, biophysical and functional studies revealed that the protein possesses a number of features typical of a viroporin when it is overexpressed in bacterial and mammalian cells as well as in FMDV-infected cells. The protein was found to be mainly localized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), with both the N- and C-terminal domains stretched into the cytosol. It exhibited cytotoxicity in Escherichia coli, which attenuated 2B protein expression. The release of virions from cells infected with FMDV was inhibited by amantadine, a viroporin inhibitor. The 2B protein monomers interacted with each other to form both intracellular and extracellular oligomers. The Ca²⁺ concentration in the cells increased, and the integrity of the cytoplasmic membrane was disrupted in cells that expressed the 2B protein. Moreover, the 2B protein induced intense autophagy in host cells. All of the results of this study demonstrate that the FMDV 2B protein has properties that are also found in other viroporins and may be involved in the infection mechanism of FMDV.     

重组鸡痘病毒和DNA疫苗对口蹄疫病毒的豚鼠免疫保护

将构建的携带FMDV衣壳蛋白P1-2A和蛋白酶3C编码基因的重组鸡痘病毒活载体疫苗vUTAL3CP1以及编码FMDV P1-2A基因和猪IL-18基因的重组DNA疫苗pVIRIL18P1,分别以单独和混合的方式给豚鼠进行2次免疫,然后测定FMDV特异性结合抗体、中和抗体和T淋巴细胞增殖反应,并用250 ID50的FMDV进行攻击,观察其保护效果.结果表明这2种基因工程疫苗均能诱导豚鼠产生特异性的体液免疫及细胞免疫应答.其中以vUTAL3CP1两次免疫组的效果最好,其诱导的抗体水平已接近于常规灭活疫苗,而细胞免疫水平则比后者高得多.攻击保护结果表明该组完全保护率可达3/4,而另外两组也具有一定保护效果.上述研究结果为进一步进行大动物免疫攻毒试验,并最终筛选出最佳疫苗和免疫程序奠定了基础.     

Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Replicates Only Transiently in Well-Differentiated Porcine Nasal Epithelial Cells

Three-dimensional (3D) porcine nasal mucosal and tracheal mucosal epithelial cell cultures were developed to analyze foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) interactions with mucosal epithelial cells. The cells in these cultures differentiated and polarized until they closely resemble the epithelial layers seen in vivo. FMDV infected these cultures predominantly from the apical side, primarily by binding to integrin αvβ6, in an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-dependent manner. However, FMDV replicated only transiently without any visible cytopathic effect (CPE), and infectious progeny virus could be recovered only from the apical side. The infection induced the production of beta interferon (IFN-β) and the IFN-inducible gene Mx1 mRNA, which coincided with the disappearance of viral RNA and progeny virus. The induction of IFN-β mRNA correlated with the antiviral activity of the supernatants from both the apical and basolateral compartments. IFN-α mRNA was constitutively expressed in nasal mucosal epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo. In addition, FMDV infection induced interleukin 8 (IL-8) protein, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and RANTES mRNA in the infected epithelial cells, suggesting that it plays an important role in modulating the immune response.Foot-and-mouth disease is an economically important disease caused by foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), a picornavirus, belonging to the genus Aphthovirus and family Picornaviridae. Field strains of FMDV infect cells by attaching to integrin receptors through a highly conserved Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) tripeptide motif which is located on a surface-exposed loop of VP1 (29). A number of different species of RGD-binding integrin (αvβ1, αvβ3, αvβ6, and αvβ8) have been reported to serve as receptors for infection (8, 22-24). However, αvβ6 is believed to function as the principal receptor for infection in the host (33). FMDV is highly infectious and can become established in susceptible animals by inhalation of relatively small levels of airborne virus (predominantly cattle) or ingestion of contaminated material (primarily pigs) (5). Apart from direct infection through injured skin or abrasion, the epithelial cells of the oral and upper respiratory tract mucosal surfaces are likely to be the first point of contact with the virus. In animals, FMDV undergoes early and rapid replication at the predilection sites in the pharynx and tonsil (5). This is followed by a viremic phase lasting 4 or 5 days, during which the virus spreads to other epithelial tissues and establishes itself at other secondary sites of replication (5). At these secondary sites, vesicles normally form, and the vesicles rupture to produce classical ragged-edge erosions. Although nasal mucosa has been suggested as a primary site of FMDV replication (26), there has been no evidence to support this claim (4). FMDV RNA can be detected in the nasal mucosa and trachea of pigs up to 4 days after infection; however, pathological signs of infection are not observed at these sites (3; P. Dash, unpublished observation).Pigs are known to be more resistant to aerosol infection than cattle, though they excrete larger amounts of virus once infection is established (1, 2, 17, 38). The reason for the apparent reduced susceptibility to aerosol infection of pigs is unclear. Here we have investigated the interaction of FMDV with pig nasal and tracheal epithelial cells using polarized, differentiated three-dimensional (3D) cultures. The results provide insight into the possible reasons why pigs are relatively resistant to FMDV by aerosol challenge.     

重组鸡痘病毒和DNA疫苗对口蹄疫病毒的豚鼠免疫保护

将构建的携带FMDV衣壳蛋白P1-2A和蛋白酶3C编码基因的重组鸡痘病毒活载体疫苗vUTAL3CP1以及编码FMDVP1-2A基因和猪IL-18基因的重组DNA疫苗pVIRIL18P1,分别以单独和混合的方式给豚鼠进行2次免疫,然后测定FMDV特异性结合抗体、中和抗体和T淋巴细胞增殖反应,并用250ID50的FMDV进行攻击,观察其保护效果。结果表明这2种基因工程疫苗均能诱导豚鼠产生特异性的体液免疫及细胞免疫应答。其中以vUTAL3CP1两次免疫组的效果最好,其诱导的抗体水平已接近于常规灭活疫苗,而细胞免疫水平则比后者高得多。攻击保护结果表明该组完全保护率可达3/4,而另外两组也具有一定保护效果。上述研究结果为进一步进行大动物免疫攻毒试验,并最终筛选出最佳疫苗和免疫程序奠定了基础。     

口蹄疫病毒诱导宿主细胞凋亡的研究

本文报道了口蹄疫病毒（Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus,FMDV）在体外诱导PK－15细胞凋亡的研究结果,采用Hoechst33258荧光探针、DNA凝胶电泳、脱氧核糖核酸转移酶介导的制品末端标记（TUNEL）技术均检测到了典型的细胞凋亡,结果显示：使用感染性滴度为4.8lgTCID50/mL的口蹄疫病毒感染PK－15细胞,在培养32h后,荧光探针检测呈现典型的凋亡细胞核固缩和梅花状碎裂核,并伴随有凋亡小体出现,调亡率约为20％;DNA凝胶电泳显示ladder梯带;末端标记检测到强绿色荧光标记物结合于凋亡细胞核上。研究结果提示：口蹄疫病毒可以在体外诱导宿主细胞凋亡,细胞凋亡是其致细胞病变死亡的重要途径之一。     

口蹄疫病毒诱导宿主细胞凋亡的研究

本文报道了口蹄疫病毒（Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus,FMDV）在体外诱导PK-15细胞凋亡的研究结果。采用Hoechst33258荧光探针、DNA凝胶电泳、脱氧核糖核酸转移酶介导的缺口末端标记（TUNEL）技术均检测到了典型的细胞凋亡。结果显示使用感染性滴度为4.8lgTCID50/mL的口蹄疫病毒感染PK-15细胞,在培养32?h后荧光探针检测呈现典型的凋亡细胞核固缩和梅花状碎裂核,并伴随有凋亡小体出现,凋亡率约为20%;DNA凝胶电泳显示ladder梯带;末端标记检测到强绿色荧光标记物结合于凋亡细胞核上。研究结果提示口蹄疫病毒可以在体外诱导宿主细胞凋亡,细胞凋亡是其致细胞病变死亡的重要途径之一。