Detection and Molecular Characterization of J Subgroup Avian Leukosis Virus in Wild Ducks in China

To assess the status of avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J) in wild ducks in China, we examined samples from 528 wild ducks, representing 17 species, which were collected in China over the past 3 years. Virus isolation and PCR showed that 7 ALV-J strains were isolated from wild ducks. The env genes and the 3′UTRs from these isolates were cloned and sequenced. The env genes of all 7 wild duck isolates were significantly different from those in the prototype strain HPRS-103, American strains, broiler ALV-J isolates and Chinese local chicken isolates, but showed close homology with those found in some layer chicken ALV-J isolates and belonged to the same group. The 3′UTRs of 7 ALV-J wild ducks isolates showed close homology with the prototype strain HPRS-103 and no obvious deletion was found in the 3′UTR except for a 1 bp deletion in the E element that introduced a binding site for c-Ets-1. Our study demonstrated the presence of ALV-J in wild ducks and investigated the molecular characterization of ALV-J in wild ducks isolates.     

ALV-J GP37 Molecular Analysis Reveals Novel Virus-Adapted Sites and Three Tyrosine-Based Env Species

Compared to other avian leukosis viruses (ALV), ALV-J primarily induces myeloid leukemia and hemangioma and causes significant economic loss for the poultry industry. The ALV-J Env protein is hypothesized to be related to its unique pathogenesis. However, the molecular determinants of Env for ALV-J pathogenesis are unclear. In this study, we compared and analyzed GP37 of ALV-J Env and the EAV-HP sequence, which has high homology to that of ALV-J Env. Phylogenetic analysis revealed five groups of ALV-J GP37 and two novel ALV-J Envs with endemic GP85 and EAV-HP-like GP37. Furthermore, at least 15 virus-adapted mutations were detected in GP37 compared to the EAV-HP sequence. Further analysis demonstrated that three tyrosine-based motifs (YxxM, ITIM (immune tyrosine-based inhibitory motif) and ITAM-like (immune tyrosine-based active motif like)) associated with immune disease and oncogenesis were found in the cytoplasmic tail of GP37. Based on the potential function and distribution of these motifs in GP37, ALV-J Env was grouped into three species, inhibitory Env, bifunctional Env and active Env. Accordingly, 36.91%, 61.74% and 1.34% of ALV-J Env sequences from GenBank are classified as inhibitory, bifunctional and active Env, respectively. Additionally, the Env of the ALV-J prototype strain, HPRS-103, and 17 of 18 EAV-HP sequences belong to the inhibitory Env. And models for signal transduction of the three ALV-J Env species were predicted. Our findings and models provide novel insights for identifying the roles and molecular mechanism of ALV-J Env in the unique pathogenesis of ALV-J.     

Independent Isolates of the Emerging Subgroup J Avian Leukosis Virus Derive from a Common Ancestor

A new subgroup of avian leukosis virus (ALV) that includes a unique env gene, designated J, was identified recently in England. Sequence analysis of prototype English isolate HPRS-103 revealed several other unique genetic characteristics of this strain and provided information that it arose by recombination between exogenous and endogenous virus sequences. In the past several years, ALV J type viruses (ALV-J) have been isolated from broiler breeder flocks in the United States. We were interested in determining the relationship between the U.S. and English isolates of ALV-J. Based on sequence data from two independently derived U.S. field isolates, we conclude that the U.S. and English isolates of ALV-J derive from a common ancestor and are not the result of independent recombination events.     

不同病变型J亚群禽白血病病毒LTR启动子序列分析及活性比较

从ALV-J中国地方分离株SCAU-HN06株(血管瘤病变型)、NX0101株和JS-nt株(骨髓瘤病变型)病毒的细胞培养物提取前病毒DNA,通过PCR扩增各毒株的LTR并克隆,随后进行测序分析。与国内外ALV-J参考毒株LTR序列比较发现:国内地方分离株与英国ALV-J原型株HPRS-103和美国ALV-J原型株ADOL-7501的LTR核苷酸序列相似性为88.0%~97.2%;LTR中的U5区及R区具有较高的保守性,而U3区内存在较大差异。将不同病变型ALV-J的LTR片段分别插入pCAT-basic载体CAT报告基因5'端。用所得的重组报告基因表达质粒转染DF-1细胞,48h后通过测定转染细胞中的CAT表达量来评价LTR启动子的活性。结果表明,SCAU-HN06株与骨髓瘤病变型ALV-J(JS-nt株,NX0101株)LTR启动子活性差异不显著。     

蛋鸡J亚群禽白血病的分子生物学诊断

根据J亚群白血病病毒(ALV-J)原型株HPRS-103的序列设计了一对针对外源性ALV-J引物H5和H7,从发生ML病死鸡的肿瘤、骨髓、肝脏、脾脏和输卵管组织中提取DNA作为模板,经PCR扩增得到长度为545bp的片段,对其序列进行测定后,与ALV-J原型株HPRS-103的序列进行了比较,发现其核苷酸同源性为97．4％,所编码氨基酸的同源性为96．1％。该片段含有ALV-J gp85编码基因的部分序列和ALV-J pol基因的部分序列,从分子水平上证实了蛋鸡发生J亚群禽白血病,进一步证明了此前根据病理学观察、免疫组化及免疫荧光诊断的结果。这是首次从分子水平上证明蛋用型鸡发生J亚群禽白血病。     

A 19-Nucleotide Insertion in the Leader Sequence of Avian Leukosis Virus Subgroup J Contributes to Its Replication in Vitro but Is Not Related to Its Pathogenicity in Vivo

Subgroup J avian leukosis virus (ALV-J) was first isolated from meat-type chickens that had developed myeloid leukosis and since 2008, ALV-J infections in chickens have become widespread in China. A comparison of the sequence of ALV-J epidemic isolates with HPRS-103, the ALV-J prototype virus, revealed several distinct features, one of which is a 19-nucleotide (nt) insertion in the leader sequence. To determine the role of the 19-nt insertion in ALV-J pathogenicity, a pair of viruses were constructed and rescued. The first virus was an ALV-J Chinese isolate (designated rSD1009) containing the 19-nt insertion in its leader sequence. The second virus was a clone, in which the leader sequence had a deleted 19-nt sequence (designated rSD1009△19). Compared with rSD1009△19, rSD1009 displayed a moderate growth advantage in vitro. However, no differences were demonstrated in either viral replication or oncogenicity between the two rescued viruses in chickens. These results indicated that the 19-nt insertion contributed to ALV-J replication in vitro but was not related to its pathogenicity in vivo.     

诱发血管瘤型J亚群禽白血病病毒gp85基因的克隆与表达

2007年7月至11月,中国开产前后的商品海兰褐蛋鸡群大面积暴发血管瘤,造成巨大经济损失。将病料接种DF1细胞,通过PCR和间接免疫荧光(IFA)确定此次暴发的血管瘤为J亚群白血病病毒(ALV-J)感染引起。从患病鸡群中分离到5株ALV-J(前4株已经报道),将第5株病毒命名为WS0705。为研究该毒株抗原性的特点,用PCR方法扩增出gp85基因,并克隆进pMD18-T载体进行测序。氨基酸系统进化树分析显示WS0705与英国ALV-J原型毒株HPRS-103同源性最高。从已构建的质粒pMD18-T-WS0705gp85中酶切回收gp85基因,构建重组转移载体pFastBacH Tb-WS0705gp85。利用Bac-to-Bac表达系统获得了重组杆状病毒rBac-WS0705gp85。间接免疫荧光和Western blot检测WS0705gp85基因的表达产物。间接免疫荧光显示,构建的重组杆状病毒感染的Sf9细胞呈现明显的强阳性反应;Western blot分析,重组病毒感染的Sf9细胞蛋白显示出约35kD的阳性条带。结果表明,WS0705gp85基因在Sf9细胞中得到良好的表达,并且其编码产物完全可以被外源性ALV-J的特异性单抗JE9识别,进一步证明本次暴发血管瘤的病原为ALV-J,并为进一步开发ALV-J相关诊断产品奠定了基础。     

我国1999—2003年间ALV—J野毒株gp85基因变异趋势

通过接种鸡胚成纤维细胞（CEF）、间接免疫荧光试验（IFA）和聚合酶链式反应（PCR）,连续五年从全国各地的送检病料中分离到14株J亚群白血病病毒（ALV-J）。为了动态观察ALV-J囊膜表面结构蛋白（GP85）的变异情况,对这14株野毒株的囊膜糖蛋白基因（env）进行了克隆和测序,将它们与HPRS-103株的GP85的氨基酸序列进行了比较,结果表明：ALV-J的囊膜表面结构蛋白发生了很大的变异,而且这些变异主要集中在高变区hr1、hr2和vr3;这些野毒株GP85的氨基酸序列的同源性在86．6％～100％之间（从同一鸡场中分离到的两株ALV-J即BJ00302与BJ0303的同源性为100％,其它毒株之间的同源性均小于100％）;有义突变与沉默突变的比例显示这3个高变区极有可能是免疫选择压作用的位点。     

蛋鸡J亚群白血病病毒的分离鉴定及序列分析

通过接种鸡胚成纤维细胞((CEF)及特异性单抗的间接荧光抗体反应(IFA),从中国商品代蛋鸡群中首次分离到J亚群白血病病毒(ALV-J).对其env基因编码的氨基酸序列及3'-末端(3'-Ter)序列与国内外来源于白羽肉鸡的毒株作了比较分析.结果显示,这两株病毒的gp85基因编码的氨基酸序列与国外5个毒株同源性仅为83.4%～87.3%,与国内来源于白羽肉鸡的8株病毒同源性也仅为86.4%～89.6%.gp37基因编码的氨基酸序列与5个国外毒株同源性为91.8%～97.0%,与8个国内毒株同源性为93.9%～95.9%.另外,国内来源于白羽肉鸡的各毒株的3'-Ter序列在"E"区均有明显缺失,但本次分离的来源于蛋鸡群的毒株在"E"区没有缺失突变.与所列出的13株国内外毒株相比,这两个毒株在3'-Ter的缺失最少,较接近于原型株HPRS-103.显然这两株病毒的来源不同于国内白羽肉鸡.     

中国麻鸡中发现禽J亚群白血病

首次报道了中国特有鸡种——麻鸡J亚群白血病的发病情况。山东某种鸡场饲养的中国麻鸡,于开产前出现消瘦、贫血、瘫痪等症状,死亡率达10%。经大体剖检发现,病鸡的内脏器官均弥漫性肿大,色彩斑驳,质度较硬;在胸骨内侧、小肠浆膜面和气管粘膜面出现大小不等的肿瘤结节,呈灰白色。组织学检查发现,增生的肿瘤细胞为均一的髓细胞。用禽白血病病毒J亚群（ALV_J）的特异性引物进行PCR检测,阳性率为89%(15/17);PCR产物测序,其基因序列、预期氨基酸序列与ALV_J原型株HPRS_103的同源性分别为98.05%和97.4%。用ALV_J单克隆抗体,经免疫组织化学检测发现,在肿瘤组织、肝、脾、肾、骨髓、腺胃中呈现强特异性染色。上述检测表明此髓细胞肿瘤是由ALV_J感染引起的。ALV_J麻鸡病例的发现警示：应注意中国地方种鸡的白血病净化工作。     

Complete Genome Sequence of a J Subgroup Avian Leukosis Virus Isolated from Local Commercial Broilers

Subgroup J avian leukosis virus (ALV-J) isolate GDKP1202 was isolated from a 50-day-old local yellow commercial broiler in the Guangdong province of China in 2012. Here we report the complete genomic sequence of the GDKP1202 isolate, which caused high mortality, serious growth suppression, thymic atrophy, and liver enlargement in commercial broilers. A novel potential binding site (5′-GGCACCTCC-3′) for c-myb was identified in the GDKP1202 genome. These findings will provide additional insights into the molecular characteristics in the genomes and pathogenicity of ALV-J.     

Expression of Endogenous Retrovirus ev/J gp85 Gene and Analysis of Its Immunoreactivity in Comparison with Exogenous Viral Protein

The envelope gene gp85 of ev/J,a new family of endogenous avian retroviral sequences identified recently, has the most extensive nucleotide sequence identity ever described with ALV-J avian ieukosis virus. This report described expression of ev/J envelope gene gp85 derived from commercial meat-type chicken using the Invitrogen Bac-to-Bac baculovirus expression system. The antigenicity and immunoreactivity of the recombinant endogenous gp85 gene product (SU) were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence, Western blot, indirect and blocking Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA) using JE9 monoclonal antibody (MAb) against the envelope protein of ALV-J (ADOL-4817), positive mouse antiserum against the ev/J gp85 SU and sera from chicken naturally infected with ALV-J. The results showed that the ev/J gp85 SU can bind specifically to JE9 MAb and antiserum from chicken naturally infected with ALV-J, and the binding reactivity between exogenous ALV-J gp85 SU and natural positive chicken serum against exogenous ALV-J can be blocked by positive mouse serum against the ev/J gp85 SU. It is concluded that recombinant endogenous gp85 gene product (SU) has close immunological relatedness to the envelope protein of exogenous ALV-J (ADOL-4817 and IMC<,10200> strain).     

Acutely transforming avian leukosis virus subgroup J strain 966: defective genome encodes a 72-kilodalton Gag-Myc fusion protein

Avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J), the most recent member of the avian retroviruses, is predominantly associated with myeloid leukosis in meat-type chickens. We have previously demonstrated that the acutely transforming virus strain 966, isolated from an ALV-J-induced tumor, transformed peripheral blood monocyte and bone marrow cells in vitro and induced rapid-onset tumors, suggesting transduction of oncogenes (L. N. Payne, A. M. Gillespie, and K. Howes, Avian Dis. 37:438-450, 1993). In order to understand the molecular basis for the rapid transformation and tumor induction, we have determined the complete genomic structure of the provirus of the 966 strain. The sequence of the 966 provirus clone revealed that its genome is closely related to that of HPRS-103 but is defective, with the entire pol and parts of the gag and env genes replaced by a 1,491-bp sequence representing exons 2 and 3 of the c-myc gene. LSTC-IAH30, a stable cell line derived from turkey monocyte cultures transformed by the 966 strain of ALV-J, expressed a 72-kDa Gag-Myc fusion protein. The identification of the myc gene in 966 virus as well as in several other ALV-J-induced tumors suggested that the induction of myeloid tumors by this new subgroup of ALV occurs through mechanisms involving the activation of the c-myc oncogene.     

Expression of endogenous retrovirus ev/J <Emphasis Type="Italic">gp85</Emphasis> gene and analysis of its immunoreactivity in comparison with exogenous viral protein

The envelope gene gp85 of ev/J, a new family of endogenous avian retroviral sequences identified recently, has the most extensive nucleotide sequence identity ever described with ALV-J avian leukosis virus. This report described expression of ev/J envelope gene gp85 derived from commercial meat-type chicken using the Invitrogen Bac-to-Bac baculovirus expression system. The antigenicity and immunoreactivity of the recombinant endogenous gp85 gene product (SU) were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence, Western blot, indirect and blocking Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA) using JE9 monoclonal antibody (MAb) against the envelope protein of ALV-J (ADOL-4817), positive mouse antiserum against the ev/J gp85 SU and sera from chicken naturally infected with ALV-J. The results showed that the ev/J gp85 SU can bind specifically to JE9 MAb and antiserum from chicken naturally infected with ALV-J, and the binding reactivity between exogenous ALV-J gp85 SU and natural positive chicken serum against exogenous ALV-J can be blocked by positive mouse serum against the ev/J gp85 SU. It is concluded that recombinant endogenous gp85 gene product (SU) has close immunological relatedness to the envelope protein of exogenous ALV-J (ADOL-4817 and IMC₁₀₂₀₀ strain). Foundation items: Natural Science Foundation of China (30460098); China Postdoctoral Science Foundation funded project (2005038585).     

Complete genome sequence of an avian leukosis virus isolate associated with hemangioma and myeloid leukosis in egg-type and meat-type chickens

Subgroup J avian leukosis virus (ALV-J) was first isolated from meat-type chickens that developed myeloid leukosis (ML). In recent years, field cases of hemangioma (HE) or HE and ML, rather than ML alone, have been reported in commercial layer flocks exposed to ALV-J with a high incidence in China. Here we report the complete genomic sequence of an ALV-J isolate that caused both HE and ML in egg-type and meat-type chickens in China. These findings will provide additional insights into the molecular characteristics in genomes, host range, and pathogenicity of ALV-J.     

A 205-Nucleotide Deletion in the 3′ Untranslated Region of Avian Leukosis Virus Subgroup J,Currently Emergent in China,Contributes to Its Pathogenicity

In the past 5 years, an atypical clinical outbreak of avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J), which contains a unique 205-nucleotide deletion in its 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR), has become epidemic in chickens in China. To determine the role of the 205-nucleotide deletion in the pathogenicity of ALV-J, a pair of viruses were constructed and rescued. The first virus was an ALV-J Chinese isolate (designated HLJ09SH01) containing the 205-nucleotide deletion in its 3′UTR. The second virus was a chimeric clone in which the 3′UTR contains a 205-nucleotide sequence corresponding to a region of the ALV-J prototype virus. The replication and pathogenicity of the rescued viruses (rHLJ09SH01 and rHLJ09SH01A205) were investigated. Compared to rHLJ09SH01A205, rHLJ09SH01 showed a moderate growth advantage in vitro and in vivo, in addition to exhibiting a higher oncogenicity rate and lethality rate in layers and broilers. Increased vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and vascular endothelial growth receptor subtype 2 (VEGFR-2) expression was induced by rHLJ09SH01 more so than by rHLJ09SH01A205 during early embryonic vascular development, but this increased expression disappeared when the expression levels were normalized to the viral levels. This finding suggests that the expression of VEGF-A and VEGFR-2 is associated with viral replication and may also represent a novel molecular mechanism underlying the oncogenic potential of ALV-J. Overall, our findings not only indicate that the unique 205-nucleotide deletion in the ALV-J genome occurred naturally in China and contributes to increased pathogenicity but also point to the possible mechanism of ALV-J-induced oncogenicity.     

Segregation of EAV-HP Ancient Endogenous Retroviruses within the Chicken Population

Avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J), an exogenous avian retrovirus, is thought to have evolved by recombination with the highly identical env gene of the endogenous avian retrovirus EAV-HP. Embryonic expression of EAV-HP env has been suggested to be associated with the induction of immunological tolerance, a feature observed in a significant proportion of meat-type chickens infected with ALV-J. In support of this hypothesis, we demonstrate that EAV-HP loci, some of which could be associated with tolerance, are still segregating within the chicken population.