Evaluation of Infectivity,Virulence and Transmission of FDMV Field Strains of Serotypes O and A Isolated In 2010 from Outbreaks in the Republic of Korea

Since the early 2000s outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) have been described in several previously FMD-free Asian nations, including the Republic of Korea (South Korea). One outbreak with FMD virus (FDMV) serotype A and two with serotype O occurred in South Korea in 2010/2011. The causative viruses belonged to lineages that had been spreading in South East Asia, far East and East Asia since 2009 and presented a great threat to the countries in that region. Most FMDV strains infect ruminants and pigs, as it happened during the outbreaks of FMDV serotype O in South Korea. Contrastingly, the strain of serotype A affected only ruminants. Based upon these findings, the intention of the work described in the current report was to characterize and compare the infectivity, virulence and transmission of both strains under laboratory conditions in cattle and pigs, by direct inoculation and contact exposure. As expected, FMDV serotype O was highly virulent in both cattle and swine by contact exposure and direct inoculation. Surprisingly, FMDV serotype A was highly virulent in swine, but was less infectious in cattle by contact exposure to infected swine or cattle. Interestingly, similar quantities of aerosolized FMDV RNA were detected during experiments with viruses of serotypes O and A. Specific virus-host interaction of A/SKR/2010 could affect the transmission of this strain to cattle, and this may explain in part the limited spread of the serotype A epizootic.     

A simple and rapid colloidal gold-based immunochromatogarpic strip test for detection of FMDV serotype A

A sandwich format immunochromatographic assay for detecting foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) serotypes was developed. In this rapid test, affinity purified polyclonal antibodies from Guinea pigs which were immunized with sucking-mouse adapted FMD virus (A/AV88(L) strain) were conjugated to colloidal gold beads and used as the capture antibody, and affinity purified polyclonal antibodies from rabbits which were immunized with cell-culture adapted FMD virus (A/CHA/09 strain) were used as detector antibody. On the nitrocellulose membrane of the immunochromatographic strip, the capture antibody was laid on a sample pad, the detector antibody was printed at the test line(T) and goat anti-guinea pigs IgG antibodies were immobilized to the control line(C). The lower detection limit of the test for a FMDV 146S antigen is 11.7ng/ml as determined in serial tests after the strip device was assembled and the assay condition optimization. No cross reactions were found with FMDV serotype C, Swine vesicular disease (SVD), Vesicular stomatiti svirus (VSV) and vesicular exanthema of swine virus (VES) viral antigens with this rapid test. Clinically, the diagnostic sensitivity of this test for FMDV serotypes A was 88.7% which is as same as an indirect-sandwich ELISA. The specificity of this strip test was 98.2% and is comparable to the 98.7% obtained with indirect-sandwich ELISA. This rapid strip test is simple, easy and fast for clinical testing on field sites; no special instruments and skills are required, and the result can be obtained within 15 min. To our knowledge, this is the first rapid immunochromatogarpic assay for serotype A of FMDV.     

Effects of amino acid substitutions in the VP2 B-C loop on antigenicity and pathogenicity of serotype Asia1 foot-and-mouth disease virus

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) exhibits a high degree of antigenic variability. Studies of the antigenic diversity and determination of amino acid changes involved in this diversity are important to the design of broadly protective new vaccines. Although extensive studies have been carried out to explore the molecular basis of the antigenic variation of serotype O and serotype A FMDV, there are few reports on Asia1 serotype FMDV. METHODS: Two serotype Asia1 viruses, Asia1/YS/CHA/05 and Asia1/1/YZ/CHA/06, which show differential reactivity to the neutralizing monoclonal antibody (nMAb) 1B4, were subjected to sequence comparison. Then a reverse genetics system was used to generate mutant versions of Asia1/YS/CHA/05 followed by comparative analysis of the antigenicity, growth property and pathogenicity in the suckling mice. RESULTS: Three amino acid differences were observed when the structural protein coding sequences of Asia1/1/YZ/CHA/06 were compared to that of Asia1/YS/CHA/05. Site-directed mutagenesis and Immunofluorescence analysis showed that the amino acid substitution in the B-C loop of the VP2 protein at position 72 is responsible for the antigenic difference between the two Asia1 FMDV strains. Furthermore, alignment of the amino acid sequences of VP2 proteins from serotype Asia1 FMDV strains deposited in GenBank revealed that most of the serotype Asia1 FMDV strains contain an Asn residue at position 72 of VP2. Therefore, we constructed a mutant virus carrying an Asp-to-Asn substitution at position 72 and named it rD72N. Our analysis shows that the Asp-to-Asn substitution inhibited the ability of the rD72N virus to react with the MAb 1B4 in immunofluorescence and neutralization assays. In addition, this substitution decreased the growth rate of the virus in BHK-21 cells and decreased the virulence of the virus in suckling mice compared with the Asia1/YS/CHA/05 parental strain. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that variations in domains other than the hyper variable VP1 G-H loop (amino acid 140 to 160) are relevant to the antigenic diversity of FMDV. In addition, amino acid substitutions in the VP2 influenced replicative ability and virulence of the virus. Thus, special consideration should be given to the VP2 protein in research on structure-function relationships and in the development of an FMDV vaccine.     

Phylogenomics and molecular evolution of foot-and-mouth disease virus

This report describes the use of Bayesian methods to analyze polyprotein coding region sequences (n = 217) obtained from GenBank to define the genome-wide phylogeny of foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV). The results strongly supported the monophyly of five FMDV serotypes, O, A, Asia 1, C, and SAT 3, while sequences for the two remaining FMDV serotypes, SAT 1 and SAT 2 did not separate into entirely distinct clades. The phylogenomic tree revealed three sister-group relationships, serotype O + Asia 1, A + C, and SAT 1 + 3 + 2, with a new branching pattern: {[(O, Asia 1), (A, C)], (SAT 1, 2, 3)}. Within each serotype, there was no apparent periodic, geographic, or host species influence on the evolution of global FMDVs. Analysis of the polyprotein coding region of these sequences provided evidence for the influence of purifying selection on the evolution of FMDV. Using a Bayesian coalescent approach, the evolutionary rate of FMDV isolates that circulated during the years 1932-2007 was estimated to be 1.46 × 10(-3) substitutions/site/year, and the most recent common ancestor of the virus existed approximately 481 years ago. Bayesian skyline plot revealed a population expansion in the early 20(th) century that was followed by a rapid decline in population size from the late 20(th) century to the present day. These findings provide new insights into the mechanisms that impact on the evolution of this important livestock pathogen.     

Vaccines prepared from chimeras of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) induce neutralizing antibodies and protective immunity to multiple serotypes of FMDV.

The G-H loop of VP1 (residues 132 to 159) of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) is a prominent feature on the virion surface and has an important role in vaccine efficacy, generation of antigenic variants, and cell binding. Using an infectious cDNA of FMDV, we have constructed serotype A viruses in which the G-H loop has been substituted with the homologous sequences from serotype O or C. These chimeric viruses replicated to high titer and displayed plaque morphologies similar to those of wild-type viruses, demonstrating that the functions provided by the loop can be readily exchanged between serotypes. Monoclonal antibody analyses showed that epitopes contained within the loop were transferred to the chimeras and that epitopes encoded by the type A backbone were maintained. Chemically inactivated vaccines prepared from chimeric viruses induced antibodies in guinea pigs that neutralized both type A and either type O or type C viruses. Swine inoculated with the A/C chimera vaccine also produced cross-reactive antibodies, were protected from challenge with the type A virus, and partially protected against challenge with type C. These studies emphasize the importance of epitopes outside of the G-H loop in protective immunity in swine, which is a natural host of FMDV.     

猪口蹄疫病毒多抗原表位重组腺病毒的构建与鉴定

本研究设计构建了含有猪O型口蹄疫病毒VP1（21—60）-（141-160）-（200—213）位氨基酸的基因的重组腺病毒质粒pAd-VP,经PacI酶切后转染HEK-293A细胞,3次噬斑纯化获得了重组腺病毒rAd—VP。该重组腺病毒于HEK-293A细胞连续传代至20代效价稳定,TCID50为10^-10／mL。RT—PCR检测证明目的基因在mRNA水平上可有效表达;应用O型口蹄疫病毒标准阳性血清进行间接荧光抗体试验,在rAdVP感染的HEK-293A细胞的胞质可见清晰荧光。证明该重组腺病毒对VP1（21-60）-（141—160）-（200—213）位氨基酸的基因进行了成功的表达,从而为FMDV多抗原表位腺病毒活载体疫苗的研究奠定了基础。     

Evaluation of in vitro inhibitory potential of small interfering RNAs directed against various regions of foot-and-mouth disease virus genome

India is endemic for foot-and-mouth disease and it continues to be a major threat to the livestock industry despite vaccination programmes. In the present study, the ability of specific small interfering (si)RNAs directed against different genomic regions of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) to inhibit virus replication in BHK-21 cells was examined. For preliminary evaluation of possible siRNA-mediated FMDV inhibition, a cocktail of several unique populations of 12-30bp siRNAs were successfully produced corresponding to three target regions located at structural (VP3-VP1), non-structural (2A-2C), and non-structural-untranslated (3D-3'UTR) region of serotype Asia1. Once the populations of siRNAs generated were found to reduce the virus titre significantly, two highly conserved 21bp siRNA duplexes were designed by analysing all FMDV sequence entries available in public-domain databases. In virus titration assay, more than 99% inhibition of virus yield for all the four serotypes (type Asia1, O, A, and C) could be demonstrated in cells transfected with each of the FMDV-specific siRNAs at 24h post-infection, compared to control cells transfected with scrambled siRNA. This was well supported by reduction in OD values in FMDV-specific sandwich ELISA. Although 100-fold reduction in virus titre with siRNA1 is substantial considering the transfection efficiency and fixed level of input siRNA, siRNA2 emerged to be a better choice as target where more than 300-fold reduction was observed and its inhibitory effect extended up to 48 h post-infection against all the serotypes. Interestingly, in the present study type A virus (IND 17/77) had a single mismatch at position 2 in the siRNA2 target region but it did not abrogate the inhibitory effect.     

Chimeric foot-and-mouth disease virus serotype O displaying a serotype Asia1 antigenic epitope at the surface

Objective

To determine whether the G–H loop of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) serotype O can function as a target structure to harbour and display serotype Asia1 antigenic epitope at the surface.

Results

Using reverse genetics, FMDV serotype O IND R2/1975 displaying a FMDV serotype Asia1 B cell epitope at the capsid surface was constructed. The epitope-inserted recombinant chimeric virus was genetically stable up to ten serial passages in cell culture and exhibited growth properties similar to the parental serotype O virus. Furthermore, the surface-displayed Asia1 epitope able to react with serotype Asia1 specific antibodies in a competitive ELISA. Importantly, the recombinant chimeric virus showed neutralizing activity to both serotype O and Asia1 polyclonal antibodies.

Conclusion

The capsid protein of FMDV serotype O can effectively display potent epitope of other serotypes, making this an attractive approach for the design of new generation bi-valent FMD vaccines.

     

猪瘟病毒C株共感染口蹄疫病毒影响口蹄疫病毒复制

【背景】猪瘟(Classical Swine Fever)是由猪瘟病毒(Classical Swine Fever Virus,CSFV)引起的猪高度接触性传染病,致死率极高。在临床中存在着CSFV与猪其他病原菌共感染的情况,例如CSFV与口蹄疫病毒(Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus,FMDV)的共感染。【目的】利用CSFV与FMDV共感染猪源宿主细胞,研究CSFV与FMDV共感染对FMDV病毒复制的影响。【方法】构建体外共感染细胞模型,在正常PK-15细胞上进行CSFV共感染FMDV实验,通过观察细胞病变效应(Cytopathic Effect,CPE)、实时荧光定量PCR(RT-qPCR)、Western Blot、间接免疫荧光检测CSFV和FMDV共感染及FMDV单独感染情况下FMDV复制水平的差异。利用RT-qPCR筛选鉴定能够影响FMDV复制的CSFV蛋白。【结果】CSFVC株共感染FMDV能够抑制FMDV的复制,而且灭活的CSFV同样抑制FMDV的复制。通过筛选鉴定出CSFV的C蛋白能够抑制FMDV复制。【结论】研究发现CSFV C株共感染FMDV能够抑制FMDV复制,而其C蛋白具有抑制FMDV复制的能力。     

VP1 of serotype C foot-and-mouth disease viruses: long-term conservation of sequences.

The nucleotide sequences of the VP1-coding regions of several isolates of serotype C3 foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) were determined. The deduced amino acid sequences were compared with those of serotype C1 FMDV. The results provide evidence for two different lineages of FMDV C3 and document the potential for both long-term conservation and rapid evolution of FMDV.     

甲型H1N1流感病毒HA基因RT-LAMP检测方法的建立与初步应用

目的:建立反转录环介导等温扩增技术(RT-LAMP)检测甲型H1N1流感病毒HA基因的方法,并用于检测临床样本.方法:通过在线软件Primer Explorer V4设计H1N1 HA基因的RT-LAMP引物,建立RT-LAMP检测方法,并评价其灵敏度和特异度.结果:与传统RT-PCR方法相比,RT-LAMP检测方法具备更高的灵敏度,达到10个拷贝,并且具有良好的特异性;在76份呼吸道感染儿童的咽拭子标本中检测到2份阳性,与RT-PCR方法检测结果相同.结论:建立的H1N1 RT-LAMP检测方法灵敏特异,简单快速,具备H1N1现场检测应用前景.     

Preparation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against VP1 protein of foot-and-mouth disease virus O/China99

Monoclonal antibodies (McAbs) 1A9 and 9F12 against Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) serotype O were produced by fusing SP2/0 myeloma cells with splenocyte from the mouse immunized with O/China99. Both McAbs reacted with O/China99 but not with Asia 1, as determined by immunohistochemistry assay. The microneutralization titer of the McAbs 1A9 and 9F12 were 640 and 1 280, respectively. Both McAbs contain kappa light chains, but the McAbs 1A9 and 9F12 were IgG1 and IgM, respectively. In order to define the McAbs binding epitopes, the reactivity of these McAbs against VP1, P20 and P14 were examined using indirect ELISA, the result showed that both McAbs reacted with VP1 and P20. McAbs may be used for further studies of vaccine, diagnostic methods, prophylaxis, etiological and immunological researches on FMDV.     

Expression,purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of swine leukocyte antigen 2 complexed with a CTL epitope AS64 derived from Asia1 serotype of foot-and-mouth disease virus

Background

Currently, the structural characteristics of the swine major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule, also named swine leukocyte antigen class I (SLA-I) molecule need to be further clarified.

Results

A complex of SLA-I constituted by an SLA-2*HB01 molecule with swine β₂-microglobulin and a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitope FMDV-AS64 (ALLRSATYY) derived from VP1 protein (residues 64–72) of Asia 1 serotype of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) was expressed, refolded, purified and crystallized. By preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis, it was shown that the diffraction resolution of the crystal was 2.4?Å and the space group belonged to P2₁2₁2₁ with unit cell parameters a?=?48.37, b?=?97.75, c?=?166.163?Å.

Conclusion

This research will be in favor of illuminating the structural characteristics of an SLA-2 molecule associated with a CTL epitope derived from Asia1 serotype of FMDV.

     

Thermal inactivation of foot-and-mouth disease viruses in suspension

The heat resistance of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) strains isolated from outbreaks in Thailand was investigated in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 degrees C. The first-order kinetic model fitted most of the observed linear inactivation curves. The ranges of decimal-reduction time (D value) of FMDV strains at 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 degrees C were 732 to 1,275 s, 16.37 to 42.00 s, 6.06 to 10.87 s, 2.84 to 5.99 s, 1.65 to 3.18 s, and 1.90 to 2.94 s, respectively. The heat resistances of FMDV strains at lower temperature (50 degrees C) were not serotype specific. The effective inactivating temperature is approximately 60 degrees C. Heat resistances of FMDV strains at 90 and 100 degrees C were not statistically different (P > 0.05), while the FMDV serotype O (OPN) appeared to be the most heat resistant at 60 to 80 degrees C. The other observed inactivation curves were linear with shoulder or tailing (biphasic curves). The shoulder effect was mostly observed at 90 and 100 degrees C, while the tailing effect was mostly observed at 50 to 80 degrees C. The adjusted D values in the case of shoulder and tailing effects did not affect the overall estimated heat resistance of these FMDV strains, so even unadjusted D values of deviant inactivation curves were legitimate. The z values of FMDV serotypes O, A, and Asia 1 were 21.78 to 23.26, 20.75 to 22.79, and 19.87 degrees C, respectively. The z values of FMDV strains studied were not statistically significantly different (P > 0.05). The results of this study indicated that the heat resistance in PBS of FMDV strains from Thailand was much less than had been reported for foreign epidemic FMDV strains.     

口蹄疫病毒Asia1/YNBS/58株全基因组序列分析

口蹄疫是由口蹄疫病毒(Foot-and-mouth dis-ease virus,FMDV)感染引起的偶蹄动物(猪、牛、羊、骆驼等)共患的一种急性、烈性、接触性传染病。FMDV是小核糖核酸病毒科(Picornaviridae)口蹄疫病毒属(Aphthovirus)的成员,有7个血清型,分别为O、A、C、Asia1、SAT1、SAT2、SAT3,完整