Development of DNA vaccines for foot-and-mouth disease, evaluation of vaccines encoding replicating and non-replicating nucleic acids in swine.

We have developed naked DNA vaccine candidates for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), an important disease of domestic animals. The virus that causes this disease, FMDV, is a member of the picornavirus family, which includes many important human pathogens, such as poliovirus, hepatitis A virus, and rhinovirus. Picornaviruses are characterized by a small (7-9000 nucleotide) RNA genome that encodes capsid proteins, processing proteinases, and enzymes required for RNA replication. We have developed two different types of DNA vaccines for FMD. The first DNA vaccine, pP12X3C, encodes the viral capsid gene (P1) and the processing proteinase (3C). Cells transfected with this DNA produce processed viral antigen, and animals inoculated with this DNA using a gene gun produced detectable antiviral immune responses. Mouse inoculations with this plasmid, and with a derivative containing a mutation in the 3C proteinase, indicated that capsid assembly was essential for induction of neutralizing antibody responses. The second DNA vaccine candidate, pWRMHX, encodes the entire FMDV genome, including the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, permitting the plasmid-encoded viral genomes to undergo amplification in susceptible cells. pWRMHX encodes a mutation at the cell binding site, preventing the replicated genomes from causing disease. Swine inoculated with this vaccine candidate produce viral particles lacking the cell binding site, and neutralizing antibodies that recognize the virus. Comparison of the immune responses elicited by pP12X3C and pWRMHX in swine indicate that the plasmid encoding the replicating genome stimulated a stronger immune response, and swine inoculated with pWRMHX by the intramuscular, intradermal, or gene gun routes were partially protected from a highly virulent FMD 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。     

Adenovirus-mediated RNA interference against foot-and-mouth disease virus infection both in vitro and in vivo

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) infection is responsible for the heavy economic losses in stockbreeding each year. Because of the limited effectiveness of existing vaccines and antiviral drugs, the development of new strategies is needed. RNA interference (RNAi) is an effective means of suppressing virus replication in vitro. Here we demonstrate that treatment with recombinant, replication-defective human adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) expressing short-hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) directed against either structural protein 1D (Ad5-NT21) or polymerase 3D (Ad5-POL) of FMDV totally protects swine IBRS-2 cells from homologous FMDV infection, whereas only Ad5-POL inhibits heterologous FMDV replication. Moreover, delivery of these shRNAs significantly reduces the susceptibility of guinea pigs and swine to FMDV infection. Three of five guinea pigs inoculated with 10(6) PFU of Ad5-POL and challenged 24 h later with 50 50% infectious doses (ID50) of homologous virus were protected from the major clinical manifestation of disease: the appearance of vesicles on the feet. Two of three swine inoculated with an Ad5-NT21-Ad5-POL mixture containing 2 x 10(9) PFU each and challenged 24 h later with 100 ID50 of homologous virus were protected from the major clinical disease, but treatment with a higher dose of adenovirus mixture cannot promote protection of animals. The inhibition was rapid and specific because treatment with a control adenovirus construct (Ad5-LacZ) expressing Escherichia coli galactosidase-specific shRNA showed no marked antiviral activity. Our data highlight the in vivo potential of RNAi technology in the case of FMD.     

Immunogenicity,Protective Efficacy,and Non-Replicative Status of the HSV-2 Vaccine Candidate HSV529 in Mice and Guinea Pigs

HSV-2 vaccine is needed to prevent genital disease, latent infection, and virus transmission. A replication-deficient mutant virus (dl5-29) has demonstrated promising efficacy in animal models of genital herpes. However, the immunogenicity, protective efficacy, and non-replicative status of the highly purified clinical vaccine candidate (HSV529) derived from dl5-29 have not been evaluated. Humoral and cellular immune responses were measured in mice and guinea pigs immunized with HSV529. Protection against acute and recurrent genital herpes, mortality, latent infection, and viral shedding after vaginal HSV-2 infection was determined in mice or in naïve and HSV-1 seropositive guinea pigs. HSV529 replication and pathogenicity were investigated in three sensitive models of virus replication: severe combined immunodeficient (SCID/Beige) mice inoculated by the intramuscular route, suckling mice inoculated by the intracranial route, and vaginally-inoculated guinea pigs. HSV529 immunization induced HSV-2-neutralizing antibody production in mice and guinea pigs. In mice, it induced production of specific HSV-2 antibodies and splenocytes secreting IFNγ or IL-5. Immunization effectively prevented HSV-2 infection in all three animal models by reducing mortality, acute genital disease severity and frequency, and viral shedding. It also reduced ganglionic viral latency and recurrent disease in naïve and HSV-1 seropositive guinea pigs. HSV529 replication/propagation was not detected in the muscles of SCID/Beige mice, in the brains of suckling mice, or in vaginal secretions of inoculated guinea pigs. These results confirm the non-replicative status, as well as its immunogenicity and efficacy in mice and guinea pigs, including HSV-1 seropositive guinea pigs. In mice, HSV529 produced Th1/Th2 characteristic immune response thought to be necessary for an effective vaccine. These results further support the clinical investigation of HSV529 in human subjects as a prophylactic vaccine.     

Guinea pig-adapted foot-and-mouth disease virus with altered receptor recognition can productively infect a natural host

We report that adaptation to infect the guinea pig did not modify the capacity of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) to kill suckling mice and to cause an acute and transmissible disease in the pig, an important natural host for this pathogen. Adaptive amino acid replacements (I(248)-->T in 2C, Q(44)-->R in 3A, and L(147)-->P in VP1), selected upon serial passages of a type C FMDV isolated from swine (biological clone C-S8c1) in the guinea pig, were maintained after virus multiplication in swine and suckling mice. However, the adaptive replacement L(147)-->P, next to the integrin-binding RGD motif at the GH loop in VP1, abolished growth of the virus in different established cell lines and modified its antigenicity. In contrast, primary bovine thyroid cell cultures could be productively infected by viruses with replacement L(147)-->P, and this infection was inhibited by antibodies to alphavbeta6 and by an FMDV-derived RGD-containing peptide, suggesting that integrin alphavbeta6 may be used as a receptor for these mutants in the animal (porcine, guinea pig, and suckling mice) host. Substitution T(248)-->N in 2C was not detectable in C-S8c1 but was present in a low proportion of the guinea pig-adapted virus. This substitution became rapidly dominant in the viral population after the reintroduction of the guinea pig-adapted virus into pigs. These observations illustrate how the appearance of minority variant viruses in an unnatural host can result in the dominance of these viruses on reinfection of the original host species.     

Heterotypic protection induced by synthetic peptides corresponding to three serotypes of foot-and-mouth disease virus.

Synthetic peptide vaccines of the general sequence Cys-Cys(200-213)-Pro-Pro-Ser-(141-158)-Pro-Cys-Gly, where the numbered residues refer to VP1 sequences of three different strains of foot-and-mouth disease virus, have been evaluated in cattle and guinea pigs. High levels of serotype-specific (homotypic) antiviral and antipeptide antibody were produced with each peptide. The A- and O-serotype peptides provided complete protection of guinea pigs against their respective virus challenges. The C-serotype peptide appeared to be less effective than the other peptides. In cross-protection studies (heterotypic) in guinea pigs, it was possible to protect A-serotype peptide-vaccinated animals against O-virus challenge and vice versa. Some heterotypic protection was also achieved with the C-serotype peptide. The heterotypic protection observed related more to the presence of cross-reactive antipeptide antibody than to neutralizing antibody.     

Chimeric virus-like particles elicit protective immunity against serotype O foot-and-mouth disease virus in guinea pigs

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is an acute and highly contagious disease caused by foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) that can affect cloven-hoofed animal species, leading to severe economic losses worldwide. Therefore, the development of a safe and effective new vaccine to prevent and control FMD is both urgent and necessary. In this study, we developed a chimeric virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine candidate for serotype O FMDV and evaluated its protective immunity in guinea pigs. Chimeric VLPs were formed by the antigenic structural protein VP1 from serotype O and segments of the viral capsid proteins (VP2, VP3, and VP4) from serotype A. The chimeric VLPs elicited significant humoral and cellular immune responses with a higher level of anti-FMDV antibodies and cytokines than the control group. Furthermore, four of the five guinea pigs vaccinated with the chimeric VLPs were completely protected against challenge with 100 50% guinea pig infectious doses (GPID₅₀) of the virulent FMDV strain O/MAY98. These data suggest that chimeric VLPs are potential candidates for the development of new vaccines against FMDV.     

Viremic enhancement due to transovarially acquired antibodies to St. Louis encephalitis virus in birds

Adult house sparrows (Passer domesticus) were captured and experimentally inoculated with St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) virus to produce high concentrations of circulating antiviral antibody. Nestlings, 5-7 and 14-16 days of age, from SLE immune adult females and challenged with SLE virus, exhibited viremic enhancement by producing viremias of greater duration and magnitude than did controls. Nestlings possessing maternal antibody and challenged with SLE virus between 8 and 13 days of age did not produce viremias differing significantly from controls in magnitude, duration, or temporal appearance. Experimental nestling sparrows possessed detectable amounts of maternally derived passive antibody to SLE virus prior to challenge with this virus. Passive geometric mean antibody titers ranged from a high of 1:34.5 in nestlings tested 5-7 days posthatching, to a low of 1:11.2 in 14-16-day-old birds. Results presented imply that enhancement of SLE virus infections could lead to increased viral amplification and dissemination rates during natural disease cycles.     

以猪IgG重链恒定区为抗原载体的抗口蹄疫病毒DNA疫苗的研制

口蹄疫(Foot-and-Mouth Disease, FMD)是当今世界上最为严重的家畜传染病之一,主要危害猪、牛、羊等偶蹄动物.FMD的致病原为FMD病毒(FMDV),属小RNA病毒科口蹄疫病毒属,有A、O、C、SATⅠ、SATⅡ、SATⅢ及AsiaⅠ共7个血清型.FMDV结构较简单,完整的病毒颗粒由4种结构蛋白VP1、VP2、VP3及VP4各60个拷贝构成的衣壳包裹一条单股正链RNA组成,其中VP1是主要的抗原蛋白[1].     

Correlation between efficacy and structure of recombinant epitope vaccines against bovine type O foot and mouth disease virus

To develop recombinant epitope vaccines against foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), genes coding for six recombinant proteins (rP1–rP6) consisting of different combinations of B cell and T cell epitope from VP1 capsid protein (VP1) of type O FMDV were constructed and the 3D structure of these proteins analyzed. This revealed a surface-exposed RGD sequence of B cell epitopes in all six recombinant proteins as that in VP1 of FMDV and rP1, rP2 and rP4 globally mimicked the backbone conformation of the VP1. rP1, rP2 and rP4 stimulated guinea pigs to produce higher level of neutralizing antibodies capable of protecting suckling mice against FMDV challenge. rP1 stimulated cattle to produce FMDV-neutralizing antibody. The data suggest that an efficient recombinant epitope vaccine against FMDV should share local similarities with the natural VP1 of FMDV.     

B cell epitopes within VP1 of type O foot-and-mouth disease virus for detection of viral antibodies

In this study, the coding region of type O FMDV capsid protein VP1 and a series of codon optimized DNA sequences coding for VP1 amino acid residues 141–160 (epitope1), tandem repeat 200–213 (epitope2 (+2)) and the combination of two epitopes (epitope1–2) was genetically cloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pP_ROExHTb and pGEX4T-1, respectively. VP1 and the fused epitopes GST-E1, GST-E2 (+2) and GST-E1-2 were successfully solubly expressed in the cytoplasm of Escherichia coli and Western blot analysis demonstrated they retained antigenicity. Indirect VP1-ELISA and epitope ELISAs were subsequently developed to screen a panel of 80 field pig sera using LPB-ELISA as a standard test. For VP1-ELISA and all the epitope ELISAs, there were clear distinctions between the FMDV-positive and the FMDV-negative samples. Cross-reactions with pig sera positive to the viruses of swine vesicular disease virus that produce clinically indistinguishable syndromes in pigs or guinea pig antisera to FMDV strains of type A, C and Asia1 did not occur. The relative sensitivity and specificity for the GST-E1 ELISA, GST-E2 (+2), GST-E1-2 ELISA and VP1-ELISA in comparison with LPB-ELISA were 93.3% and 85.0%, 95.0% and 90%, 100% and 81.8%, 96.6% and 80.9% respectively. This study shows the potential use of the aforementioned epitopes as alternatives to the complex antigens used in current detection for antibody to FMDV structural proteins.     

Recombinant IgA Is Sufficient To Prevent Influenza Virus Transmission in Guinea Pigs

A serum hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) titer of 40 or greater is thought to be associated with reduced influenza virus pathogenesis in humans and is often used as a correlate of protection in influenza vaccine studies. We have previously demonstrated that intramuscular vaccination of guinea pigs with inactivated influenza virus generates HAI titers greater than 300 but does not protect vaccinated animals from becoming infected with influenza virus by transmission from an infected cage mate. Only guinea pigs intranasally inoculated with a live influenza virus or a live attenuated virus vaccine, prior to challenge, were protected from transmission (A. C. Lowen et al., J. Virol. 83:2803–2818, 2009.). Because the serum HAI titer is mostly determined by IgG content, these results led us to speculate that prevention of viral transmission may require IgA antibodies or cellular immune responses. To evaluate this hypothesis, guinea pigs and ferrets were administered a potent, neutralizing mouse IgG monoclonal antibody, 30D1 (Ms 30D1 IgG), against the A/California/04/2009 (H1N1) virus hemagglutinin and exposed to respiratory droplets from animals infected with this virus. Even though HAI titers were greater than 160 1 day postadministration, Ms 30D1 IgG did not prevent airborne transmission to passively immunized recipient animals. In contrast, intramuscular administration of recombinant 30D1 IgA (Ms 30D1 IgA) prevented transmission to 88% of recipient guinea pigs, and Ms 30D1 IgA was detected in animal nasal washes. Ms 30D1 IgG administered intranasally also prevented transmission, suggesting the importance of mucosal immunity in preventing influenza virus transmission. Collectively, our data indicate that IgG antibodies may prevent pathogenesis associated with influenza virus infection but do not protect from virus infection by airborne transmission, while IgA antibodies are more important for preventing transmission of influenza viruses.     

Guinea pig model for evaluating the potential public health risk of swine and avian influenza viruses

Background

The influenza viruses circulating in animals sporadically transmit to humans and pose pandemic threats. Animal models to evaluate the potential public health risk potential of these viruses are needed.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We investigated the guinea pig as a mammalian model for the study of the replication and transmission characteristics of selected swine H1N1, H1N2, H3N2 and avian H9N2 influenza viruses, compared to those of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 and seasonal human H1N1, H3N2 influenza viruses. The swine and avian influenza viruses investigated were restricted to the respiratory system of guinea pigs and shed at high titers in nasal tracts without prior adaptation, similar to human strains. None of the swine and avian influenza viruses showed transmissibility among guinea pigs; in contrast, pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus transmitted from infected guinea pigs to all animals and seasonal human influenza viruses could also horizontally transmit in guinea pigs. The analysis of the receptor distribution in the guinea pig respiratory tissues by lectin histochemistry indicated that both SAα2,3-Gal and SAα2,6-Gal receptors widely presented in the nasal tract and the trachea, while SAα2,3-Gal receptor was the main receptor in the lung.

Conclusions/Significance

We propose that the guinea pig could serve as a useful mammalian model to evaluate the potential public health threat of swine and avian influenza viruses.     

Monoclonal anti-idiotype induces antibodies against bovine Q17 rotavirus.

This study describes, for the first time, the production and use of an "internal-image" anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody (MAb) to elicit a rotavirus-specific antibody response. An immunoglobulin G2a MAb, designated RQ31 (MAb1), specific for the outer capsid protein VP4 of bovine Q17 rotavirus and capable of neutralizing viral infection in vitro was used to generate an anti-idiotypic MAb (MAb2). This MAb2, designated RQA2, was selected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using F(ab')2 fragments of RQ31. RQA2 (MAb2) inhibited the binding of RQ31 (MAb1) to the virus but had no effect on the binding of other rotavirus-specific MAbs. The MAb2 also inhibited virus neutralization mediated by MAb1 in a dose-dependent fashion. Naive guinea pigs immunized with the MAb2 produced anti-anti-idiotypic antibodies (Ab3) that reacted with bovine Q17 rotavirus in an ELISA and neutralized rotavirus infection in vitro. The Ab3 response was characterized as MAb1-like because the Ab3 recognizes only the Q17 and neonatal calf diarrhea virus rotavirus strains in ELISA, as did RQ31 (MAb1). The Ab3 response also possessed two other characteristics of RQ31: the abilities to bind the 1.36 (double-capsid) but not the 1.38 (single-capsid) purified rotavirus fraction in ELISA and to immunoprecipitate the VP4 rotavirus protein.     

Recombinant virus vaccine for bluetongue disease in sheep.

Bluetongue virus proteins derived from baculovirus expression vectors have been administered in different combinations to sheep, a vertebrate host susceptible to bluetongue virus, and the neutralizing antibody responses were measured. Vaccinated sheep were subsequently challenged, and the indices of clinical reaction were calculated. The results indicated that the outer capsid protein VP2 alone in doses of greater than 50 micrograms per sheep elicited protection. A dose of ca. 50 micrograms of VP2 protected some but not all sheep. However, when used in combination with ca. 20 micrograms of the other outer capsid protein, VP5, 50-micrograms quantities of VP2 not only protected all the vaccinated sheep but also elicited a higher neutralizing-antibody response. The addition of viral core proteins VP1, VP3, VP6, and VP7, the nonstructural proteins NS1, NS2, and NS3, and the outer capsid proteins VP2 and VP5 did not enhance this neutralizing-antibody response.     

Effect of the Purification of Virus Antigens on the Production of Specific Complement-Fixing Antibodies

The effect of viral purification procedures on the antibody response of guinea pigs to immunization with reovirus type 2 and echovirus type 19 was investigated. Three grades of antigens were employed: (i) infectious monkey kidney tissue culture fluid (TCF), (ii) virus sedimented in the ultracentrifuge and suspended in phosphate-buffered saline, and (iii) virus purified by centrifugation in CsCl density gradients. The antibody response of the guinea pigs was studied by the hemagglutination inhibition, complement fixation, and serum neutralization tests. Only sera produced from virus purified by CsCl density gradients reacted specifically with homologous antigen in the complement fixation test. Sera from animals receiving tissue culture fluid virus or sedimented virus cross-reacted with heterologous antigens such as tissue culture fluid from uninfected monkey kidney cells. All sera, however, reacted specifically in hemagglutination inhibition and serum neutralization tests. Sera from intranasally infected animals (reovirus type 2), even though reacting specifically in the complement fixation test, had much lower titers than sera from animals inoculated intramuscularly.     

Source and Purity of Dengue-Viral Preparations Impact Requirement for Enhancing Antibody to Induce Elevated IL-1β Secretion: A Primary Human Monocyte Model

Dengue virus is a major global health threat and can lead to life-threatening hemorrhagic complications due to immune activation and cytokine production. Cross-reactive antibodies to an earlier dengue virus infection are a recognized risk factor for severe disease. These antibodies bind heterologous dengue serotypes and enhance infection into Fc-receptor-bearing cells, a process known as antibody-dependent enhancement of infection. One crucial cytokine seen elevated in severe dengue patients is IL-1β, a potent inflammatory cytokine matured by the inflammasome. We used a highly-physiologic system by studying antibody-dependent enhancement of IL-1β in primary human monocytes with anti-dengue human monoclonal antibodies isolated from patients. Antibody-enhancement increased viral replication in primary human monocytes inoculated with supernatant harvested from Vero cells infected with dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2) 16681. Surprisingly, IL-1β secretion induced by infectious supernatant harvested from two independent Vero cell lines was not enhanced by antibody. Secretion of multiple other inflammatory cytokines was also independent of antibody signaling. However, IL-1β secretion did require NLRP3 and caspase-1 activity. Immunodepletion of dengue virions from the infectious supernatant confirmed that virus was not the main IL-1β-inducing agent, suggesting that a supernatant component(s) not associated with the virion induced IL-1β production. We excluded RNA, DNA, contaminating LPS, viral NS1 protein, complement, and cytokines. In contrast, purified Vero-derived DENV-2 16681 exhibited antibody-enhancement of both infection and IL-1β induction. Furthermore, C6/36 mosquito cells did not produce such an inflammatory component, as crude supernatant harvested from insect cells infected with DENV-2 16681 induced antibody-dependent IL-1β secretion. This study indicates that Vero cells infected with DENV-2 16681 may produce inflammatory components during dengue virus propagation that mask the virus-specific immune response. Thus, the choice of host cell and viral purity should be carefully considered, while insect-derived virus represents a system that elicits antibody-dependent cytokine responses to dengue virus with fewer confounding issues.     

Two amino acid mutations in the capsid protein of type 2 porcine circovirus (PCV2) enhanced PCV2 replication in vitro and attenuated the virus in vivo

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is the primary causative agent of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) in pigs. To identify potential genetic determinants for virulence and replication, we serially passaged a PCV2 isolate 120 times in PK-15 cells. The viruses harvested at virus passages 1 (VP1) and 120 (VP120) were biologically, genetically, and experimentally characterized. The PCV2 VP120 virus replicated in PK-15 cells to a titer similar to that of the PK-15 cell line-derived nonpathogenic PCV1 but replicated more efficiently than PCV2 VP1 with a difference of about 1 log unit in the titers. The complete genomic sequences of viruses at passages 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 were determined. After 120 passages, only two nucleotide mutations were identified in the entire genome, and both were located in the capsid gene: the mutations were located at nucleotide positions 328 (C328G) and 573 (A573C). The C328G mutation, in which a proline at position 110 of the capsid protein changed to an alanine (P110A), occurred at passage 30 and remained in the subsequent passages. The second mutation, A573C, resulting in a change from an arginine to a serine at position 191 (R191S), appeared at passage 120. To experimentally characterize the VP120 virus, 31 specific-pathogen-free pigs were randomly divided into three groups. Ten pigs in group 1 received phosphate-buffered saline as negative controls. Each pig in group 2 (11 pigs) was inoculated intramuscularly and intranasally with 10(4.9) 50% tissue culture infective doses (TCID(50)) of PCV2 VP120. Each pig in group 3 (10 pigs) was similarly inoculated with 10(4.9) TCID(50) of PCV2 VP1. Viremia was detected in 9 of 10 pigs in the PCV2 VP1 group with a mean duration of 3 weeks, but in only 4 of 11 pigs in the PCV2 VP120 group with a mean duration of 1.6 weeks. The PCV2 genomic copy numbers in serum in the PCV2 VP1 group were significantly higher than those in the PCV2 VP120 group (P < 0.0001). Gross and histopathologic lesions in pigs inoculated with PCV2 VP1 were more severe than those inoculated with PCV2 VP120 at both day 21 and 42 necropsies (P = 0.0032 and P = 0.0274, respectively). Taken together, the results from this study indicated that the P110A and R191S mutations in the capsid of PCV2 enhanced the growth ability of PCV2 in vitro and attenuated the virus in vivo. This finding has important implications for PCV2 vaccine development.     

Genetic mapping of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus pathogenicity: virulence in guinea pigs is associated with the L RNA segment.

The Armstrong CA 1371 (ARM) and WE strains of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) differ in the ability to produce disease in adult guinea pigs. Infection with the ARM strain is not lethal, even at high virus doses (greater than 10,000 PFU), whereas the WE strain causes 100% mortality even at low doses (less than 10 PFU). To determine the genetic basis of this virulence, intertypic reassortants were made between the ARM and WE strains of LCMV. The two reassortants with the genotypes WE/ARM (L segment of WE and S segment of ARM) and ARM/WE (L segment of ARM and S segment of WE) were tested for their pathogenicity in guinea pigs. The ARM/WE reassortant was avirulent like the ARM/ARM parental strain. Minimal viral replication was observed in organs of guinea pigs inoculated with 10(2) or 10(5) PFU of ARM/ARM or ARM/WE, and all animals survived. In contrast, the WE/ARM reassortant was highly virulent like the WE/WE parental strain and killed all of the infected animals. High levels of viral replication were observed in guinea pigs infected with the latter two strains. In contrast to these in vivo observations, both the parental strains and the ARM/WE or WE/ARM reassortants had similar growth potential in cultured guinea pig fibroblasts. Thus, the L RNA segment of LCMV WE is important for viral replication in vivo and is associated with fatal acute disease after infection of adult guinea pigs.