非洲猪瘟病毒E248R蛋白抑制cGAS-STING介导的天然免疫

为了探究ASFV E248R蛋白调控cGAS-STING信号通路的机制,利用双荧光素酶报告系统验证ASFV E248R蛋白够剂量依赖性地抑制cGAS-STING和HT-DNA诱导的IFN-β的产生。通过相对定量PCR技术验证,过表达E248R抑制IFNB1、RANTES、IL-6和TNF-αβ基因的转录水平。免疫共沉淀和激光共聚焦试验结果表明,E248R与STING相互作用。通过蛋白印迹试验证实,过表达E248R可抑制STING的表达。研究表明ASFV E248R蛋白通过抑制STING的表达拮抗天然免疫应答。该结果将扩展对ASF免疫逃逸的认知,为疫苗的研制提供新的思路。     

African swine fever virus protein MGF-505-7R promotes virulence and pathogenesis by inhibiting JAK1- and JAK2-mediated signaling

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a large DNA virus that is highly contagious and pathogenic in domestic pigs with a mortality rate up to 100%. However, how ASFV suppresses JAK-STAT1 signaling to evade the immune response remains unclear. In this study, we found that the ASFV-encoded protein MGF-505-7R inhibited proinflammatory IFN-γ-mediated JAK-STAT1 signaling. Mechanistically, MGF-505-7R was found to interact with JAK1 and JAK2 and mediate their degradation. Further study indicated that MGF-505-7R promoted degradation of JAK1 and JAK2 by upregulating the E3 ubiquitin ligase RNF125 expression and inhibiting expression of Hes5, respectively. Consistently, MGF-505-7R-deficient ASFV induced high levels of IRF1 expression and displayed compromised replication both in primary porcine alveolar macrophages and pigs compared with wild-type ASFV. Furthermore, MGF-505-7R deficiency attenuated the virulence of the ASFV and pathogenesis of ASF in pigs. These findings suggest that the JAK-STAT1 axis mediates the innate immune response to the ASFV and that MGF-505-7R plays a critical role in the virulence of the ASFV and pathogenesis of ASF by antagonizing this axis. Thus, we conclude that deletion of MGF-505-7R may serve as a strategy to develop attenuated vaccines against the ASFV.     

Regulation of antiviral immune response by African swine fever virus (ASFV)

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious and acute hemorrhagic viral disease with a high mortality approaching 100% in domestic pigs. ASF is an endemic in countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Now, it has been spreading to many countries, especially in Asia and Europe. Due to the fact that there is no commercial vaccine available for ASF to provide sustainable prevention, the disease has spread rapidly worldwide and caused great economic losses in swine industry. The knowledge gap of ASF virus (ASFV) pathogenesis and immune evasion is the main factor to limit the development of safe and effective ASF vaccines. Here, we will summarize the molecular mechanisms of how ASFV interferes with the host innate and adaptive immune responses. An in-depth understanding of ASFV immune evasion strategies will provide us with rational design of ASF vaccines.     

非洲猪瘟病毒I226R蛋白抑制cGAS-STING通路介导的天然免疫应答

本研究旨在探究非洲猪瘟病毒(African swine fever virus, ASFV) I226R蛋白(I226R protein, pI226R)抑制cGAS-STING信号通路的作用机制。利用双荧光素酶报告系统和实时荧光定量PCR (real-time quantitative PCR, qPCR)证明pI226R显著抑制cGAS-STING通路介导的I型干扰素及干扰素刺激相关基因的产生。免疫共沉淀及激光共聚焦显微镜试验发现pI226R与cGAS蛋白相互作用。免疫印迹分析证明pI226R通过自噬-溶酶体途径促进cGAS蛋白的降解。同时,pI226R阻碍了cGAS与E3泛素连接酶三基序蛋白56 (tripartite motif protein 56, TRIM56)的结合,导致cGAS的单泛素化减弱,从而抑制了cGAS的活化和cGAS-STING通路的激活。总之,本研究证明ASFV pI226R通过拮抗cGAS进而抑制宿主的抗病毒天然免疫反应,进一步增加了对研究ASFV免疫逃逸机制的理解,为疫苗的研发提供了理论基础。     

A simple nanobody-based competitive ELISA to detect antibodies against African swine fever virus

African swine fever virus (ASFV) infection is a big threat to the global pig industry. Because there is no effective vaccine, rapid, low-cost, and simple diagnosis methods are necessary to detect the ASFV infection in pig herds. Nanobodies, with advantages of small molecular weight and easy genetic engineering, have been universally used as reagents for developing diagnostic kits. In this study, the recombinant ASFV-p30 was expressed and served as an antigen to immunize the Bactrian camel. Then, seven nanobodies against ASFV-p30 were screened using phage display technique. Subsequently, the seven nanobodies fused horseradish peroxidase (nanobody-HRP) were secretory expressed and one fusion protein ASFV-p30-Nb75-HRP was selected with the highest sensitivity in blocking ELISA. Using the ASFV-p30-Nb75-HRP fusion protein as a probe, a competitive ELISA (cELISA) was developed for detecting anti-ASFV antibodies in pig sera. The cut-off value of cELISA was determined to be 22.7% by testing 360 negative pig sera. The detection limit of the cELISA for positive pig sera was 1:320, and there was no cross-reaction with anti-other swine virus antibodies. The comparative assay showed that the agreement of the cELISA with a commercial ELISA kit was 100%. More importantly, the developed cELISA showed low cost and easy production as a commercial kit candidate. Collectively, a simple nanobody-based cELISA for detecting antibodies against ASFV is developed and it provides a new method for monitoring ASFV infection in the pig herds.     

非洲猪瘟病毒D1133L蛋白增加宿主波形蛋白磷酸化而促进病毒在猪巨噬细胞中的复制

非洲猪瘟(African swine fever, ASF)是由非洲猪瘟病毒(African swine fever virus, ASFV)感染引起家猪和野猪的一种高死亡率的传染性疾病。ASFV具有庞大的基因组,其中非结构蛋白pD1133L被预测为其编码的6个解旋酶之一。本实验室应用免疫沉淀-质谱联用(immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry, IP-MASS)技术筛选与pD1133L互作的宿主细胞蛋白,发现细胞波形蛋白(vimentin, VIM)为pD1133L互作的宿主蛋白之一,但尚不清楚宿主蛋白VIM对ASFV复制的影响。【目的】探究ASFV与VIM的相互调控作用,揭示VIM促进ASFV复制的机制。【方法】通过免疫共沉淀(co-immunoprecipitation, Co-IP)试验验证pD1133L与VIM存在互作关系;外源过表达VIM蛋白以及设计并合成VIM的siRNA探究VIM对ASFV复制的影响;利用Western blotting以及荧光定量PCR (quantitative real-time PCR, qPCR)方法检测ASFV对VIM蛋白水平以及转录水平的影响;通过Western blotting、间接免疫荧光试验(immunofluorescence assay, IFA)探究巨噬细胞感染ASFV后VIM磷酸化水平变化以及亚细胞定位变化情况;CCK-8试剂盒检测VIM磷酸化抑制剂KN-93处理的最佳浓度,并利用Western blotting以及IFA检测KN-93对VIM磷酸化、亚细胞定位以及对ASFV复制影响。【结果】VIM过表达促进ASFV复制,敲低VIM的表达则抑制ASFV复制;ASFV感染抑制VIM蛋白水平以及转录水平表达,且呈时间依赖性;ASFV感染后VIM发生磷酸化修饰且发生亚细胞定位改变,从而促进ASFV复制。【结论】证实了ASFV与宿主蛋白VIM之间的相互调控作用;初步确定ASFV感染后VIM受到ASFV pD1133L调控,亚细胞定位发生重排向核周聚集从而促进ASFV复制的机制。     

非洲猪瘟病毒j5R膜蛋白的电脑预测和实验证实

蛋白多肽二级结构的电脑预测表明,非洲猪瘟病毒（ Ａｆｒｉｃａｎ ｓｗｉｎｅ ｆｅｖｅｒ ｖｉｒｕｓ , Ａ Ｓ Ｆ Ｖ）ｊ５ Ｒ阅读框编码１２ ．９ ｋ Ｄａ 膜蛋白。该蛋白的 Ｃ 末端含有一个潜在抗原决定簇,针对其合成肽的抗体能在 Ａ Ｓ Ｆ Ｖ 感染细胞和病毒颗粒中检测到２３ 或２５ ｋ Ｄａ（ 取决于不同毒株） 特异蛋白。免疫荧光试验显示,ｊ５ Ｒ 蛋白主要位于感染细胞的病毒复制部位。油水两相分离和细胞分级分离试验结果证明ｊ５ Ｒ 蛋白是膜相关蛋白     

Embryo transfer as a means of controlling the transmission of viral infections: V. the in vitro exposure of zona pellucida-intact porcine embryos to African swine fever virus

African swine fever virus (ASFV) was detected on or in zona pellucida-intact porcine embryos that had been exposed to 10^6.6 hemadsorption dose 50%/ml (HAdD₅₀/ml) of ASFV for 18 hours, washed and then cultured. Ninety-five percent of the embryos retained infectious virus after washing. Treating the embryos with papain, EDTA or ficin had no effect on the retained virus, whereas treating them with trypsin or pronase reduced the number of embryos carrying detectable virus (30% instead of 95%) and lowered the amount of virus on the embryos. It has not yet been determined whether ASFV enters the embryonic cells but the evidence suggests that most of the virus, and possibly all of it, is bound to the zona pellucida.     

African Swine Fever Virus Protein E199L Promotes Cell Autophagy through the Interaction of PYCR2

African swine fever virus(ASFV), as a member of the large DNA viruses, may regulate autophagy and apoptosis by inhibiting programmed cell death. However, the function of ASFV proteins has not been fully elucidated, especially the role of autophagy in ASFV infection. One of three Pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductases(PYCR), is primarily involved in conversion of glutamate to proline. Previous studies have shown that depletion of PYCR2 was related to the induction of autophagy. In the present study, we found for the first time that ASFV E199 L protein induced a complete autophagy process in Vero and HEK-293 T cells. Through co-immunoprecipitation coupled with mass spectrometry(CoIP-MS)analysis, we firstly identified that E199 L interact with PYCR2 in vitro. Importantly, our work provides evidence that E199 L down-regulated the expression of PYCR2, resulting in autophagy activation. Overall, our results demonstrate that ASFV E199 L protein induces complete autophagy through interaction with PYCR2 and down-regulate the expression level of PYCR2, which provide a valuable reference for the role of autophagy during ASFV infection and contribute to the functional clues of PYCR2.     

In vitro and in vivo characterization of a novel,highly potent p53-MDM2 inhibitor

Small molecule inhibitors of the p53-MDM2 protein complex are under intense investigation in clinical trials as anti-cancer agents, including our first generation inhibitor NVP-CGM097. We recently described the rational design of a novel pyrazolopyrrolidinone core as a new lead structure and now we report on the synthesis and optimization of this to provide a highly potent lead compound. This new compound displayed excellent oral efficacy in our preclinical mechanistic in vivo model and marked a significant milestone towards the identification of our second generation clinical candidate NVP-HDM201.     

Discovery of 2-(1H-imidazo-2-yl)piperazines as a new class of potent and non-cytotoxic inhibitors of Trypanosoma brucei growth in vitro

The identification of a new series of growth inhibitors of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, causative agent of Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), is described. A selection of compounds from our in-house compound collection was screened in vitro against the parasite leading to the identification of compounds with nanomolar inhibition of T. brucei growth. Preliminary SAR on the hit compound led to the identification of compound 34 that shows low nanomolar parasite growth inhibition (T. brucei EC₅₀ 5?nM), is not cytotoxic (HeLa CC₅₀?>?25,000?nM) and is selective over other parasites, such as Trypanosoma cruzi and Plasmodium falciparum (T. cruzi EC₅₀ 8120?nM, P. falciparum EC₅₀ 3624?nM).     

Interactions of the DNA polymerase X of African swine fever virus with double-stranded DNA. Functional structure of the complex

Interactions of the polymerase X of African swine fever virus with the double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) have been studied with fluorescent dsDNA oligomers, using quantitative fluorescence titrations, analytical ultracentrifugation, and fluorescence energy transfer techniques. Studies with unmodified dsDNAs were performed, using competition titration method. ASV pol X binds the dsDNA with a site-size of n=10(+/-2) base-pairs, which is significantly shorter than the total site-size of 16(+/-2) nucleotides of the enzyme-ssDNA complex. The small site size indicates that the enzyme binds the dsDNA exclusively using the proper DNA-binding subsite. Fluorescence energy transfer studies between the tryptophan residue W92 and the acceptor, located at the 5' or 3' end of the dsDNA, suggest strongly that the proper DNA-binding subsite is located on the non-catalytic C-terminal domain. Moreover, intrinsic interactions with the dsDNA 10-mer or 20-mer are accompanied by the same net number of ions released, independent of the length of the DNA, indicating the same length of the DNA engaged in the complex. The dsDNA intrinsic affinity is about two orders of magnitude higher than the ssDNA affinity, indicating that the proper DNA-binding subsite is, in fact, the specific dsDNA-binding site. Surprisingly, ASFV pol X binds the dsDNA with significant positive cooperativity, which results from protein-protein interactions. Cooperative interactions are accompanied by the net ion release, with anions participating in the ion-exchange process. The significance of these results for ASFV pol X activity in the recognition of damaged DNA is discussed.     

猪瘟病毒NS2-3抗原集中区基因的原核表达及鉴定

为获得猪瘟病毒(classical swine fever virus, CSFV) NS2-3抗原集中区蛋白,并建立CSFV抗体快速检测方法.本研究以CSFV全长基因组质粒为模板,PCR扩增NS2-3抗原表位集中区,利用扩增片段和克隆载体,构建重组表达质粒,命名为pET32a-NS2-3-1.重组表达质粒转化Rosetta (DE3)细胞,利用IPTG诱导表达, SDS-PAGE电泳和Western-blot鉴定重组表达产物.结果表明,重组质粒pET32a-NS2-3-1在28℃诱导5 h得到高效表达,重组蛋白能够与兔抗CSFV阳性血清发生反应.获得CSFV NS2-3抗原集中区蛋白,并且获得的重组蛋白具有抗原性,能够作为CSFV抗体检测的抗原.     

Role of tissue specific factors in the translation of brain messenger ribonucleic acids in vitro

The activity of brain ribosomal subunits was examined by measuring (a) the saturation of ribosomes with nascent polypeptides and the rates of release of completed chains; (b) interaction of the subunits with brain messenger RNA to form polysomal aggregates; (c) formation of polyphenylalanine in the presence of polyuridylic acid at high magnesium concentration and (d) inhibition by aurine tricarboxylic acid. The results showed that a portion of the subunits were defective in forming initiation complexes with brain messenger RNA, but translated polyuridylate efficiently. The subunits that did form polysomes were more competent than the heterologous systems (derived from Krebs ascites cells, reticulocytes or wheat germ) in carrying out reinitiations of brain mRNA translation.Both the homologous and the heterologous systems translated brain mRNA and synthesized the two brain specific proteins S-100 and the neuron specific enolase, indicating that each of the systems had all the necessary factors. However, homologous initiation factors, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and transfer RNAs were more effective, particularly at suboptimal concentrations. Our results suggest that discriminative translation of brain messenger RNA may take place based on relative proportions of required components in the reaction milieu rather than by the presence or absence of one or more special messenger RNA specific factors.     

Discovery of a crystalline sulforaphane analog with good solid-state stability and engagement of the Nrf2 pathway in vitro and in vivo

The antioxidant natural product sulforaphane (SFN) is an oil with poor aqueous and thermal stability. Recent work with SFN has sought to optimize methods of formulation for oral and topical administration. Herein we report the design of new analogs of SFN with the goal of improving stability and drug-like properties. Lead compounds were selected based on potency in a cellular screen and physicochemical properties. Among these, 12 had good aqueous solubility, permeability and long-term solid-state stability at 23?°C. Compound 12 also displayed comparable or better efficacy in cellular assays relative to SFN and had in vivo activity in a mouse cigarette smoke challenge model of acute oxidative stress.     

In Vitro Evaluation of 11C-Labeled (S)-Nicotine, (S)-3-Methyl-5-(1-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidinyl)isoxazole, and (R,S)-1-Methyl-2-(3-Pyridyl)azetidine as Nicotinic Receptor Ligands for Positron Emission Tomography Studies

Abstract: The binding characteristics of the novel ¹¹C-labeled nicotinic ligands (R,S)-1-methyl-2-(3-pyridyl) azetidine (MPA) and (S)-3-methyl-5-(1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)isoxazole (ABT-418) were investigated in comparison with those of (S)-[¹¹C]nicotine in vitro in the rat brain to be able to predict the binding properties of the new ligands for positron emission tomography studies in vivo. The data from time-resolved experiments for all ligands indicated fast binding kinetics, with the exception of a slower dissociation of [¹¹C]MPA in comparison with (S)-[¹¹C]nicotine and [¹¹C]ABT-418. Saturation experiments revealed for all ligands two nicotinic receptor binding sites with affinity constants (K_D values) of 2.4 and 560 nM and binding site densities (B_max values) of 65.5 and 223 fmol/mg of protein for (S)-[¹¹C]nicotine, K_D values of 0.011 and 2.2 nM and B_max values of 4.4 and 70.7 fmol/mg of protein for [¹¹C]MPA, and K_D values of 1.3 and 33.4 nM and B_max values of 8.8 and 69.2 fmol/mg of protein for [¹¹C]ABT-418. In competing with the ¹¹C-ligands, epibatidine was most potent, followed by cytisine. A different rank order of potencies was found for (?)-nicotine, (+)-nicotine, MPA, and ABT-418 displacing each of the ¹¹C-ligands. Autoradiograms displayed a similar pattern of receptor binding for all ligands, whereby [¹¹C]MPA showed the most distinct binding pattern and the lowest nonspecific binding. We conclude that the three ¹¹C-labeled nicotinic ligands were suitable for characterizing nicotinic receptors in vitro. The very high affinity of [¹¹C]MPA to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, its low nonspecific binding, and especially the slower dissociation kinetics of the [¹¹C]MPA from the putative high-affinity nicotinic acetylcholine receptor binding site compared with (S)-[¹¹C]nicotine and [¹¹C]ABT-418 raise the level of interest in [¹¹C]MPA for application in positron emission tomography.     

2′,5′-Oligoadenylate synthetase-like gene highly induced by hepatitis C virus infection in human liver is inhibitory to viral replication in vitro

We found the 2′,5′-oligoadenylate synthetase-like (OASL) gene to be significantly elevated by high virus loads in human liver infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Here, we determined whether OASL inhibited HCV replication using an in vitro system. We constructed three expression vectors of OASL to produce isoform a (OASLa), isoform b (OASLb), and the C-terminal ubiquitin-like domain of isoform a (Ub). When Huh7 JFH-1 HCV replicon cells were separately transfected with these three vectors, colony formation of HCV-replicating cells was inhibited by 95%, 94%, and 65%, respectively. Both OASLa and OASLb were also inhibitory for cells as well as the virus because colony formation of OASL-producing cells was reduced to 41% and 8%, respectively. Stable Huh7 clones producing each of the three OASLs were established and assessed for their inhibition of HCV replication using luciferase reporter gene-containing JFH-1 replicon RNA. HCV replication was inhibited by 50-90% in several stable OASL clones. Association analysis in six Ub clones expressing different levels of Ub mRNA showed that the degree of inhibition of HCV replication was significantly associated with the amount of Ub present. In conclusion, OASL possesses two domains with HCV inhibitory activity. The N-terminal OAS-homology domain without OAS activity is inhibitory for cell growth as well as HCV replication, whereas C-terminal Ub is inhibitory only for HCV replication. Therefore, OASLa, a major isoform of this molecule induced in human liver, may mediate anti-HCV activity through two different domains.     

Hyper-IgD and periodic fever syndrome: a new MVK mutation (p.R277G) associated with a severe phenotype

Hyperimmunoglobulinemia D and periodic fever syndrome (HIDS; MIM# 260920) is a rare recessively-inherited autoinflammatory condition caused by mutations in the MVK gene, which encodes for mevalonate kinase, an essential enzyme in the isoprenoid pathway. HIDS is clinically characterized by recurrent episodes of fever and inflammation. Here we report on the case of a 2 year-old Portuguese boy with recurrent episodes of fever, malaise, massive cervical lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly since the age of 12 months. Rash, arthralgia, abdominal pain and diarrhea were also seen occasionally. During attacks a vigorous acute-phase response was detected, including elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A and leukocytosis. Clinical and laboratory improvement was seen between attacks. Despite normal serum IgD level, HIDS was clinically suspected. Mutational MVK analysis revealed the homozygous genotype with the novel p.Arg277Gly (p.R277G) mutation, while the healthy non-consanguineous parents were heterozygous. Short nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroid courses were given during attacks with poor benefits, whereas anakinra showed positive responses only at high doses. The p.R277G mutation here described is a novel missense MVK mutation, and it has been detected in this case with a severe HIDS phenotype. Further studies are needed to evaluate a co-relation genotype, enzyme activity and phenotype, and to define the best therapeutic strategies.