Reproductive and economic impact following controlled introduction of cattle persistently infected with bovine viral diarrhea virus into a naive group of heifers

The reproductive impact following controlled introduction of animals persistently infected (PI) with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) was evaluated in BVDV-naive heifers. Heifers were randomly allocated into two groups: an unexposed control herd (n = 34) and a herd exposed to five persistently infected (PI) animals for 7 mo, beginning 50 days before the breeding season (n = 34). Initiation of the BVDV-challenge was timed to mimic either direct contact with PI calves born in the previous calving season or accidental introduction of PI herd additions prior to the breeding season. The PI animals represented BVDV Types 1a (n = 3), 1b (n = 1) and 2 (n = 1). Two BVDV-free, seropositive bulls were used in each group for 78 days breeding seasons. In both groups, 33 of 34 heifers became pregnant, with similar distribution of fetal ages. Two heifers in each group aborted (etiology undetermined). In addition, one calf was born dead and one calf died 3 days post-partum in the BVDV-exposed group. One calf in the unexposed group died 4 mo post-partum. No calves, including the stillborn calf and the two calves that died prior to weaning, were persistently infected with BVDV. In summary, introduction of PI cattle to a group of BVDV-naive heifers 50 days prior to the breeding season did not negatively impact reproductive performance. To the contrary, the active immunity that developed following field exposure to BVDV provided effective reproductive and fetal protection during the breeding season and subsequent gestations, despite continuous exposure to PI animals until approximately midgestation. Although BVDV can have potentially devastating reproductive effects, timing of infection is a critical determinant in the outcome of a BVDV infection. A controlled breeding season with introduction of herd additions at less critical reproductive time points can mitigate the negative reproductive health consequences of BVDV.     

牛病毒性腹泻病毒NS3基因的序列分析、表达与抗原性鉴定

本研究应用套式RT-PCR方法扩增出牛病毒性腹泻病毒VEDEVAC株编码NS3蛋白的基因,克隆至表达载体pET-30a(+),并进行测序。对瘟病毒属病毒NS3基因进行氨基酸差异性分析,显示平均P-distance为0.07,系统进化树分析表明VEDEVAC株隶属于BVDV1型。将构建成功的重组质粒转化大肠埃希氏菌Rosetta(DE3),在IPTG诱导下表达NS3重组蛋白,经Ni-NTA亲和层析纯化和尿素梯度透析后进行反应原性鉴定。Western blotting结果显示表达的重组蛋白可以与牛病毒性腹泻病毒阳性血清反应,并与猪瘟阳性血清有交叉反应,ELISA结果显示该重组蛋白具有良好的反应原性。所获得的蛋白为建立针对NS3抗体的ELISA检测方法奠定了基础。     

Immune response to vaccination with DNA encoding the bovine viral diarrhea virus major glycoprotein gp53 (E2)

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is a worldwide pathogen in cattle which has not been controlled by classical vaccination. The region encoding the BVDV major glycoprotein gp53 (E2) known to possess virus-neutralizing activity was cloned into a mammalian expression vector under the human cytomegalovirus (CMV) intermediate early promoter. Intramuscular and intradermal administration of the recombinant plasmid DNA into BALB/c mice induced BVDV gp53-specific antibody responses to both biotypes (cytopathic and noncytopathic) of BVDV genotype 1, and to cytopathic BVDV genotype 2. BVDV-neutralizing antibodies were generated against BVDV genotype 1 strains and they also persisted 6 months after the last injection.     

Intrauterine inoculation of seronegative heifers with bovine viral diarrhea virus concurrent with transfer of in vivo-derived bovine embryos

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) has been shown to be associated with single transferable in vivo-derived bovine embryos despite washing and trypsin treatment. Hence, the primary objective was to evaluate the potential of BVDV to be transmitted via the intrauterine route at the time of embryo transfer. In vivo-derived bovine embryos (n = 10) were nonsurgically collected from a single Bos tarus donor cow negative for BVDV. After collection and washing, embryos were placed into transfer media containing BVDV (SD-1; Type 1a). Each of the 10 embryos was individually loaded into an 0.25-mL straw, which was then nonsurgically transferred into the uterus of 1 of the 10 seronegative recipients on Day 0. The total quantity of virus transferred into the uterus of each of the 10 Bos tarus recipients was 878 cell culture infective doses to the 50% end point (CCID₅₀)/mL. Additionally, control heifers received 1.5 × 10⁶ CCID₅₀ BVDV/.5 mL without an embryo (positive) or heat-inactivated BVDV (negative). The positive control heifer and all 10 recipients of virus-exposed embryos exhibited viremia by Day 6 and seroconverted by Day 15 after transfer. The negative control heifer did not exhibit a viremia or seroconvert. At 30 d after embryo transfer, 6 of 10 heifers in the treatment group were pregnant; however, 30 d later, only one was still pregnant. This fetus was nonviable and was positive for BVDV. In conclusion, the quantity of BVDV associated with bovine embryos after in vitro exposure can result in viremia and seroconversion of seronegative recipients after transfer into the uterus during diestrus.     

Comparison of three commercial vaccines for preventing persistent infection with bovine viral diarrhea virus

Eighty crossbred beef heifers were randomly allocated to four groups to evaluate the efficacy of vaccination in preventing development of calves persistently infected with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). Group 1 (n = 11) was non-vaccinated controls, whereas three groups were vaccinated with commercially available multivalent BVDV vaccines at weaning (∼7 mo of age), 28 d post-weaning, ∼1 y of age, and 28 d later. Groups 2 (n = 23) and 3 (n = 23) were given a modified-live BVDV vaccine, whereas Group 4 was given an inactivated BVDV vaccine. Heifers were bred by AI and subsequently exposed to two bulls. At 61 d after AI, 70 heifers were pregnant (n = 10 for Group 1 and n = 20/group for Groups 2, 3, and 4). Three cattle persistently infected with BVDV were commingled with the pregnant heifers (in an isolated pasture) from 68 to 126 d after AI. Thereafter, viremias were detected in pregnant heifers from Groups 1, 3, and 4 (10/10, 1/20, and 10/20, respectively), but not in pregnant heifers from Group 2 (0/20). Resulting calves were assessed for persistent infection using serum PCR, ear notch antigen capture-ELISA, and immunohistochemistry. Persistently infected calves were only produced in Group 1 (10/10) and Group 4 (2/18). In conclusion, commercial vaccines provided effective fetal protection despite prolonged natural exposure to BVDV. Given that viremias were detected in 11 vaccinated heifers after BVDV exposure, and two vaccinated heifers gave birth to persistently infected calves, there is continued need for biosecurity and diagnostic surveillance, in addition to vaccination, to ensure effective BVDV control.     

Induction of humoral and cellular immune responses in mice by a recombinant fowlpox virus expressing the E2 protein of bovine viral diarrhea virus

A recombinant fowlpox virus (rFPV/E2) expressing the E2 protein of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) was constructed and characterized. Mice were immunized with recombinant virus and both humoral and cellular immune responses were studied. rFPV/E2 induced BVDV-specific antibodies which were detected by ELISA. In addition, mouse sera were shown to neutralize BVDV. A cytokine ELISA assay revealed that mice vaccinated with rFPV/E2 induced 7-fold more interferon-gamma than parental fowlpox virus.     

牛病毒性腹泻病毒Erns蛋白激活NOD样受体热蛋白结构域相关蛋白3炎症小体诱发细胞焦亡的研究

【目的】牛病毒性腹泻病毒(bovine viral diarrhea virus, BVDV)是引起牛病毒性腹泻-黏膜病的关键病毒。BVDV的结构蛋白Erns可在病毒感染的初期削弱宿主的免疫防御,引发牛群炎症反应。核苷酸寡聚化结构域样受体(nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, NOD)热蛋白结构域相关蛋白3 (NLRP3)炎症小体是NOD样受体(NOD-like receptor, NLRs)家族重要成员,调控炎症性疾病的发生发展,同时激活的NLRP3炎症小体能够引起宿主细胞焦亡,进而诱发级联放大的炎症反应。但BVDV Erns蛋白在BVDV感染诱发炎症反应的分子机制尚不清楚。【方法】为进一步探索Erns蛋白对BVDV感染激活NLRP3炎症小体诱发细胞焦亡的影响,构建了BVDV Erns蛋白的真核表达质粒pCMV-HA-Erns,过表达BVDV Erns蛋白,检测BVDV感染细胞中NLRP3炎症小体组分[半胱氨酸蛋白酶(caspase-1)、凋亡相关斑点样蛋白(apoptosis-associated speck-like protein, ASC)和NLRP3]、IL-1β的mRNA转录水平和蛋白表达水平,以及细胞死亡调节蛋白(gasdermin D, GSDMD)的基因表达和蛋白剪切情况,并通过扫描电镜观察牛睾丸(bovine testis, BT)细胞膜成孔及BT细胞内容物释放情况,以分析Erns蛋白诱导BT细胞产生细胞焦亡。【结果】Erns蛋白能够显著引起NLRP3炎症小体活化进而激活caspase-1,活化的caspase-1一方面切割GSDMD,形成有活性的GSDMD-N端并在BT细胞膜形成孔洞,释放内容物,诱导BT细胞发生细胞焦亡;另一方面活化的caspase-1切割pro-IL-1β,形成有活性的IL-1β,并释放到BT细胞外,引起BT细胞上清中IL-1β水平上升。【结论】系统解析了BVDV Erns蛋白激活NLRP3炎症小体介导细胞焦亡的产生,对疫苗及治疗药物的研制具有重要指导意义。     

我国牛病毒性腹泻流行现状与防控策略

我国牛病毒性腹泻病(Bovine viral diarrhea,BVD)的流行比较复杂,其病原BVDV (BVDV-1和BVDV-2)不仅仅局限于已知易感动物牛群感染,其他动物种群中感染BVDV-1和BVDV-2的现象也值得注意,如猪群中BVDV感染很大程度上混淆了猪瘟等病原的监测,从而加剧病程发展。牛病毒性腹泻病毒(Bovine viral diarrhea virus,BVDV)可致持续感染(Persistent infection,PI),这一特性导致该病的净化面临巨大困难,对整个养殖场的健康发展形成了严峻威胁。BVDV抗原变异速率非常快,目前BVDV-1已有22个亚型,BVDV-2有4个亚型,鉴于病原在自然界的适应和演进特性,对该病的防控措施迟后其病原的变异速度。因此,定期摸清BVDV-1和BVDV-2在我国的流行现状是实施疫病净化的第一步和关键步骤,进一步借鉴国外BVD净化成功经验,综合考虑我国国情,采取适宜的防控策略,逐步净化该病原感染,有助于促进国内养殖业的健康发展。     

囊泡相关膜蛋白A调控牛病毒性腹泻病毒复制

[背景]牛病毒性腹泻病毒(bovine viral diarrhea virus,BVDV)是致犊牛腹泻的重要病原之一,而目前BVDV与宿主因子互作机理研究较少,成为限制BVDV防控的重要原因。[目的]探明囊泡相关膜蛋白A (vesicle-associated membrane protein A,VAPA)对BVDV复制的影响。[方法]根据GenBank中VAPA基因,使用Benchling和CHOPCHOP等平台设计靶向VAPA的向导RNA(small guide RNA,sgRNA),融合后克隆至慢病毒lentiCRISPR v2载体中,包装慢病毒后感染牛肾细胞(Madin-Darby bovine kidney,MDBK),使用嘌呤霉素连续筛选5代,使用Western Blot检测VAPA蛋白敲除(knockout,KO)情况;BVDV感染VAPA KO细胞不同时间后,收集细胞提取总RNA,并将等质量的RNA反转录成cDNA,使用实时荧光定量PCR (real-time quantitative PCR,RT-qPCR)和免疫荧光分析(immunofluorescence a...     

Effect of the bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus on the endometrium of the rabbit

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of BVD virus on the rabbit's endometrium. Six New Zealand White does (3-4 kg bwt) were used. Blood samples were obtained before treatment and euthanasia for determination of estrogen and progesterone. Does were anesthetized and both uterine horns identified through a midventral incision. Each horn was doubly-ligated at both cervical and ovarian ends. The right uterine horn (control) was injected with 1ml Eagle's MEM and the left (treated) with 1ml BVD virus (Singer strain, 10(3) CCID(50/ml)). Two does each were euthanized at 48h, 72h and 144h post-inoculation (PI) and uterine samples obtained for viral assay and light microscopic examination. Serum hormonal levels showed that all does were in the estrogenic phase before treatment and euthanasia. Viral isolation was negative for all samples taken. On each day examined, there were no histopathologic lesions in the control uterine horn. However, in the treated horn at 48h PI there was evidence of a purulent endometritis. At 72h and 144h PI there was mononuclear cell infiltration of the stratum compactum, but no other obvious lesions. A common feature in both treated and control uterine horns was mitosis of both endometrial and glandular epithelia. Results of this study suggest that BVD virus can induce histopathologic lesions of the rabbit's endometrium, the most obvious effect being at 48h PI.     

ORF3蛋白促进猪流行性腹泻病毒在Vero细胞上的增殖

【背景】猪流行性腹泻(Porcine epidemic diarrhea,PED)是由猪流行性腹泻病毒(Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus,PEDV)感染猪而引起的一种急性肠道传染病,常导致病猪水样腹泻、呕吐、脱水。自2010年起,其大规模的暴发给养猪业造成巨大的经济损失。由于对PEDV免疫机理及侵入机制知之甚少,至今仍缺乏有效的PED防治措施。【目的】研究orf3对PEDV体外增殖的影响。【方法】利用基于RNA同源重组的PEDV反向遗传学操作技术拯救一系列携带不同orf3基因及orf3基因缺失的重组PEDV;将获得的重组PEDV以MOI 0.1感染Vero细胞,分别于感染的第8、16、24、32、40、48 h测定其TCID_(50)并绘制病毒生长曲线;分别在感染25 h和36 h利用全自动细胞计数分析仪对6孔板内的细胞进行计数,并于感染后的第12、24、36、48 h用CCK-8试剂盒对其细胞活力进行测定。【结果】RT-PCR结果及细胞病变观察证明成功拯救到了携带不同orf3基因或orf3基因缺失的重组PEDV;进一步的免疫组化分析结果证实PEDV的ORF3蛋白可以在Vero细胞中合成。SPSS软件分析表明携带orf3基因的重组PEDV的滴度(TCID_(50))显著高于缺失orf3基因的重组PEDV的滴度;带有orf3基因的重组PEDV感染Vero细胞25 h和36 h时的活细胞数显著高于缺失orf3基因的重组病毒感染相同时间时的活细胞数;而且重组PEDV感染Vero细胞24 h后,带有orf3基因的重组PEDV的细胞活性显著高于缺失orf3基因的重组病毒。【结论】ORF3蛋白对于PEDV在Vero细胞中的增殖具有促进作用,该作用是通过延缓或减少感染细胞的死亡实现的。本研究为揭示PEDV orf3基因的功能和PEDV复制机制的研究提供理论基础。     

Identification of novel thiadiazoloacrylamide analogues as inhibitors of dengue-2 virus NS2B/NS3 protease

Dengue virus is endemic throughout tropical and subtropical regions, and cause severe epidemic diseases. The NS2B/NS3 protease is a promising drug target for dengue virus. Herein, we report the discovery and modification of a novel class of thiadiazoloacrylamide derivatives with potent inhibitory activity against the NS2B/NS3 protease. Thiadiazolopyrimidinone 1 was firstly determined as a new chemical structure against NS2B/NS3 from a commercial compound library. Then, we sought to identify similar compounds with the thiadiazoloacrylamide core that would exhibit better activity. A series of analogues were synthesized and fourteen of them were identified with strong inhibitory activities, in which the nitrile group in the linker part was discovered as an essential group for the inhibitory activity. The best of these (8b) demonstrated an IC₅₀ at 2.24 μM based on in vitro DENV2 NS2B-NS3pro assays.     

Characterisation of the role of zinc in the hepatitis C virus NS2/3 auto-cleavage and NS3 protease activities

Cleavage of the hepatitis C virus polyprotein between the non-structural NS2 and NS3 proteins is mediated by a poorly characterised auto-proteolytic activity that maps to the C terminus of NS2 and the N terminus of NS3, but is distinct from the NS3 protease activity responsible for downstream cleavages in the polyprotein. We have exploited the fact that the minimal precursor (residues 904-1206 of the HCV polyprotein) can be expressed as an insoluble protein in Escherichia coli and subsequently refolded into a form active for both auto-cleavage and NS3 protease activity, to further characterise the NS2/3 auto-cleavage activity. We show that both activities are zinc-dependent and show an absolute requirement for cysteine residues 1123, 1125 and 1171 within NS3. In contrast cysteine 922 (within NS2) is only required for NS2/3 auto-cleavage activity and histidine 1175 is only required for NS3 activity. Although the complete NS3 protease domain (including the C-terminal alpha-helix) is required for NS2/3 auto-cleavage, the activity of the NS3 protease is not essential. Lastly we show that the NS2/3 auto-cleavage activity is more sensitive to zinc chelation by 1,10-phenanthroline than the NS3 protease activity. This observation is consistent with different conformations of the precursor competent for either NS2/3 auto-cleavage or NS3 protease activity; these two conformations can be distinguished by their relative strength and geometry of zinc coordination.     

鹿源牛病毒性腹泻病毒E0基因的RT—PCR扩增

用RT—PCR方法,成功扩增了鹿源牛病毒性腹泻病毒保护性抗原E0基因。该RT—PCR最佳反应条件分别为退火温度为55℃、25mmol／uL MgCl2（4uL）、10pmol／uL上下游引物（2uL）、5u／uL Taq酶（1uL）。     

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) associated with single in vivo-derived and in vitro-produced preimplantation bovine embryos following artificial exposure

The objective was to determine the average amount of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) associated with single in vivo-derived and in vitro-produced bovine embryos following recommended processing procedures for embryos. In vivo-derived and in vitro-produced bovine embryos at 7 d post-fertilization were exposed (for 2 h) to 2 × 10^5-7 cell culture infective dose (CCID₅₀)/mL of SD-1 (a noncytopathic, Type 1a strain of BVDV), and then washed according to International Embryo Transfer Society (IETS) guidelines prior to testing. Of the 87 in vivo-derived embryos tested, 27% were positive for virus by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The range in amount of virus associated with 99% of the contaminated embryos was ≤6.62 ± 1.57 copies/5 μL; 90% of the contaminated embryos had ≤4.64 ± 1.57 viral copies/5 μL of embryo-associated virus, using tolerance intervals (P < 0.05). The SEM was 0.33 and the mean of averages was 1.12/5 μL. Of the 87 in vitro-produced embryos, 42% were positive for virus. The range in amount of virus associated with 99% of the contaminated embryos was ≤3.44 ± 0.89 copies/5 μL; 90% of the contaminated embryos had ≤2.40 ± 0.89 viral copies/5 μL of embryo-associated virus using tolerance intervals (P < 0.05; S.E.M. was 0.14 and the mean of averages was 0.55/5 μL). Therefore, although many embryos were positive for virus, there were limited numbers of copies, thereby posing doubt regarding their potential for contamination following embryo transfer.     

Phosphonate inhibitors of West Nile virus NS2B/NS3 protease

West Nile virus (WNV) is a member of the flavivirus genus belonging to the Flaviviridae family. The viral serine protease NS2B/NS3 has been considered an attractive target for the development of anti-WNV agents. Although several NS2B/NS3 protease inhibitors have been described so far, most of them are reversible inhibitors. Herein, we present a series of α-aminoalkylphosphonate diphenyl esters and their peptidyl derivatives as potent inhibitors of the NS2B/NS3 protease. The most potent inhibitor identified was Cbz-Lys-Arg-(4-GuPhe)^P(OPh)₂ displaying K_i and k₂/K_i values of 0.4 µM and 28 265 M^?1s^?1, respectively, with no significant inhibition of trypsin, cathepsin G, and HAT protease.     

Reporter substrates for assessing the activity of the hepatitis C virus NS3-4A serine protease in living cells

We describe a versatile system for monitoring the activity of the NS3-4A serine protease of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in mammalian cells. The system relies on coexpression of the protease and of an artificial substrate containing a reporter domain and an intracellular targeting sequence separated by a NS3-4A-specific cleavage site. We constructed two different substrates suitable for different applications. The first substrate secretory alkaline phosphatase-1 (SEAP-1) harbors the NS3-4A cleavage site inserted between the SEAP and a membrane anchor featuring an endoplasmic reticulum retention sequence. The arrangement of this substrate is such that SEAP is secreted in the extracellular medium depending on the NS3 protease activity. We show that SEAP-1 can be used to evaluate the activity of NS3-4A inhibitors in living cells. In the second substrate (CD8-1), SEAP is replaced by the extracellular domain of the lymphocyte surface antigen CD8 alpha. The arrangement of this substrate is such that the CD8 alpha domain is transported to the cell surface upon NS3-4Ap cleavage and remains associated with the plasma membrane as an integral membrane protein. We show that CD8-1 can be used for selecting cells capable of supporting HCV replication.     

蜱传脑炎病毒非结构蛋白NS2B-NS3与NS5的研究进展

蜱传脑炎病毒是引起严重的中枢神经系统疾病蜱传脑炎的病原体,每年在欧洲、俄罗斯远东地区、日本和中国北部报道的蜱传脑炎病例数约为10000-12000例,且在我国和多个欧洲国家的发病率逐渐增高,正成为人类健康的潜在危害。主动免疫是预防蜱传脑炎的有效措施,包括我国在内的多个国家已研制出安全性较高的疫苗,但在我国流行省份的疫苗接种较为有限,特异性抗病毒药物的研发或许是治疗蜱传脑炎病毒感染的研究方向之一。蜱传脑炎病毒非结构蛋白NS2B-NS3与NS5因为在病毒基因组复制、加帽和宿主免疫调节中的重要作用,成为关键的抗病毒药物研发靶点。本文综述了蜱传脑炎病毒非结构蛋白NS2B-NS3与NS5的三维结构和抑制剂研发工作,为深入探究该病毒感染的分子机制和抗病毒药物研发提供参考。