Self-Assembly and Release of Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus-Like Particles in an Insect Cell-Baculovirus System and Their Immunogenicity in Mice and Goats

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is an acute, febrile, viral disease of small ruminants that has a significant economic impact. For many viral diseases, vaccination with virus-like particles (VLPs) has shown considerable promise as a prophylactic approach; however, the processes of assembly and release of peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) VLPs are not well characterized, and their immunogenicity in the host is unknown. In this study, VLPs of PPRV were generated in a baculovirus system through simultaneous expression of PPRV matrix (M) protein and hemaglutin in (H) or fusion (F) protein. The released VLPs showed morphology similar to that of the native virus particles. Subcutaneous injection of these VLPs (PPRV-H, PPRV-F) into mice and goats elicited PPRV-specific IgG production, increased the levels of virus neutralizing antibodies, and promoted lymphocyte proliferation. Without adjuvants, the immune response induced by the PPRV-H VLPs was comparable to that obtained using equivalent amounts of PPRV vaccine. Thus, our results demonstrated that VLPs containing PPRV M protein and H or F protein are potential “differentiating infected from vaccinated animals” (DIVA) vaccine candidates for the surveillance and eradication of PPR.     

小反刍兽疫病毒研究进展

小反刍兽疫（PPR）是由小反刍兽疫病毒（PPRV）引起的一种主要感染小反刍动物的急性、烈性、接触性A类传染病,患病率、死亡率高。本文就世界PPR流行状况、PPRV基因组及病毒结构蛋白、PPRV检测方法、最新的药物及疫苗、存在的问题等方面做了简要综述。     

Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus Tissue Tropism and Pathogenesis in Sheep and Goats following Experimental Infection

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a viral disease which primarily affects small ruminants, causing significant economic losses for the livestock industry in developing countries. It is endemic in Saharan and sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and the Indian sub-continent. The primary hosts for peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) are goats and sheep; however recent models studying the pathology, disease progression and viremia of PPRV have focused primarily on goat models. This study evaluates the tissue tropism and pathogenesis of PPR following experimental infection of sheep and goats using a quantitative time-course study. Upon infection with a virulent strain of PPRV, both sheep and goats developed clinical signs and lesions typical of PPR, although sheep displayed milder clinical disease compared to goats. Tissue tropism of PPRV was evaluated by real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Lymph nodes, lymphoid tissue and digestive tract organs were the predominant sites of virus replication. The results presented in this study provide models for the comparative evaluation of PPRV pathogenesis and tissue tropism in both sheep and goats. These models are suitable for the establishment of experimental parameters necessary for the evaluation of vaccines, as well as further studies into PPRV-host interactions.     

羊α干扰素在家蚕中的表达及抗小反刍兽疫病毒活性测定

干扰素具有广谱抗病毒、抗肿瘤活性,可增强机体抗病毒能力,已经广泛应用于病毒性疾病的防控.小反刍兽疫病毒是危害山羊、绵羊等小反刍动物常见的病毒之一,该病毒的传播对全球养殖业造成了严重的影响.为了表达具有高效抗病毒活性的羊α干扰素(OviIFN-α),将OviIFN-α基因序列根据家蚕密码子偏好性进行优化合成,构建pVL1...     

表达小反刍兽疫H蛋白的重组山羊痘病毒疫苗

本研究旨在构建表达小反刍兽疫H蛋白的重组山羊痘病毒,并评价其免疫效力。利用筛选基因gpt和eGFP并结合空斑技术,纯化筛选了重组小反刍兽疫H基因的重组山羊痘病毒(rGPV-PPRV-H),经过PCR鉴定重组病毒已纯化。免疫荧光和蛋白印迹都表明重组病毒能够感染绵羊羔羊睾丸细胞表达小反刍兽疫H蛋白。以2×106PFU的rGPV-PPRV-H皮内注射免疫山羊6只,并于首次免疫后28d以相同剂量进行二次免疫。免疫后采血分离血清进行病毒中和试验,结果表明,一次免疫后21d,山羊痘病毒中和抗体效价依次为40、80、≥80、≥80、40、≥80,和小反刍兽疫病毒中和抗体效价全部转阳依次为80、80、80、80、40、40、10;二次免疫后14d,山羊痘病毒中和抗体效价抗体全部大于或等于80,小反刍兽疫病毒中和抗体效价依次为≥80、80、≥80、80、80、40,应该具有对山羊痘病毒和小反刍兽疫病毒强毒攻击的完全免疫保护作用。本研究为小反刍兽疫重组山羊痘疫苗的产业化提供了参考。     

小反刍兽疫病毒结构与功能的研究进展

小反刍兽疫病毒属于副黏病毒科麻疹病毒属,主要感染山羊、绵羊和野生小反刍兽,临床症状以发热、肺炎、腹泻及呼吸道和消化道黏膜炎症为主要特征。迄今为止对于小反刍兽疫无特效药物进行治疗,该病可对家畜养殖业造成一定的经济损失,因此对小反刍兽疫病毒病原学、结构和功能的研究已成为迫切需求。主要综述了小反刍兽疫病毒的六种结构蛋白N、P、M、F、HN、L和两种非结构蛋白C、V的基因组结构及功能,探讨了新型疫苗的研发方向,以期为小反刍兽疫病毒的深入研究、小反刍兽疫的临床防控提供参考。     

西藏株小反刍兽疫病毒H蛋白的原核表达及其多克隆抗体的制备

【背景】小反刍兽疫是由小反刍兽疫病毒(Peste des petits ruminants virus,PPRV)引起的一种急性、烈性、接触性传染病,严重威胁我国养羊业的发展。【目的】原核表达PPRVH蛋白,并制备其多克隆抗体。【方法】根据GenBank中PPRV西藏株h基因序列,对其进行密码子大肠杆菌偏爱性优化,采用两步PCR法全化学合成全长h基因。将测序验证正确的h基因克隆至原核表达载体pET-28a、pET-30a、pET-32a,转化E. coli BL21(DE3)并利用IPTG诱导H蛋白表达。以经SDS-PAGE割胶纯化的重组H蛋白免疫新西兰大白兔制备抗PPRV H蛋白多克隆抗体。【结果】重组E. coli [pET-28a(-30a,-32a)-H]表达的重组H蛋白相对分子质量分别约为70、68和86 kD;诱导7 h时PRRV H蛋白表达量最高,而且主要以包涵体形式表达;重组E.coli(pET-30a-H)表达的H蛋白经SDS-PAGE割胶纯化后免疫新西兰大白兔制备的多抗血清能与表达的重组H蛋白发生特异性反应;ELISA法检测抗体效价在1:6400-1:25600之间。【结论】原核表达了PPRVH蛋白,并制备了高效价的抗H蛋白多克隆抗体,为进一步研究PPRV H蛋白的功能及H蛋白的线性B细胞表位作图奠定了基础。     

MVA recombinants expressing the fusion and hemagglutinin genes of PPRV protects goats against virulent challenge

Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious animal disease caused by the Peste des Petits Ruminants virus (PPRV) belonging to the genus morbillivirus and family Paramyxoviridae. The disease results in high morbidity and mortality in goats, sheep and in some small wild ruminants. The presence of large number of small ruminants reared in endemic areas makes PPR a notorious disease threatening the livelihood of poor farmers. Conventional vaccination using a live, attenuated vaccine gives adequate protection but cannot be used in case of eradication of the disease due to difficulty in differentiation of infected animals from the vaccinated ones.     

Protective Efficacy in Sheep of Adenovirus-Vectored Vaccines against Bluetongue Virus Is Associated with Specific T Cell Responses

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is an economically important Orbivirus of the Reoviridae family that causes a hemorrhagic disease in ruminants. Its control has been achieved by inactivated-vaccines that have proven to protect against homologous BTV challenge although unable to induce long-term immunity. Therefore, a more efficient control strategy needs to be developed. Recombinant adenovirus vectors are lead vaccine candidates for protection of several diseases, mainly because of their potency to induce potent T cell immunity. Here we report the induction of humoral and T-cell mediated responses able to protect animals against BTV challenge by recombinant replication-defective human adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5) expressing either VP7, VP2 or NS3 BTV proteins. First we used the IFNAR^(-/-) mouse model system to establish a proof of principle, and afterwards we assayed the protective efficacy in sheep, the natural host of BTV. Mice were completely protected against BTV challenge, developing humoral and BTV-specific CD8⁺- and CD4⁺-T cell responses by vaccination with the different rAd5. Sheep vaccinated with Ad5-BTV-VP2 and Ad5-BTV-VP7 or only with Ad5-BTV-VP7 and challenged with BTV showed mild disease symptoms and reduced viremia. This partial protection was achieved in the absence of neutralizing antibodies but strong BTV-specific CD8⁺ T cell responses in those sheep vaccinated with Ad5-BTV-VP7. These data indicate that rAd5 is a suitable vaccine vector to induce T cell immunity during BTV vaccination and provide new data regarding the relevance of T cell responses in protection during BTV infection.     

Study on Passive Immunity:time of Vaccination in Kids Born to Goats Vaccinated Against Peste des petits ruminants

In this study,the decay of maternal peste des petits ruminants virus(PPRV) antibodies in kids born to goats vaccinated with Asian lineage IV PPR vaccine and the efficacy of passive immunity against PPRV was assessed to determine the appropriate period for vaccination in kids.Serum samples collected from kids born to vaccinated,unvaccinated and infected goats at different time intervals were tested by PPR competitive ELISA and serum neutralization test(SNT).Maternal antibodies in kids were detectable up to 6 months with a decline trend from the third month onwards and receded below the protective level by the fourth month.The kid with an SN titre of 1:8 at the time of immunization showed significant PPRV specific antibody response(percentage inhibition of 76;SN titers >1:16),when tested on 21 day post-vaccination and was completely protected from infection upon virulent PPRV challenge.Similarly,the kid with 1:8 SN titers was completely protected from PPR infection on active challenge.Therefore,PPR vaccination is recommended in kids,aged 4 months and born to immunized or exposed goats.This could be a suitable period to avoid window of susceptibility in kids to PPRV and the effort to eliminate PPR infection from susceptible populations.     

中国小反刍兽疫病毒分离株China/Tib/07全基因组序列测定与分析

小反刍兽疫病毒属于副黏病毒科麻疹病毒属成员。本研究对我国首次分离的小反刍兽疫病毒株China/Ti-bet/07进行了全基因组序列测定及分子生物学特征分析。根据GenBank公布的小反刍兽疫病毒基因组序列设计引物通过RT-PCR扩增病毒基因组内部序列,通过3′和5′-RACE获得病毒基因组末端序列。序列测定与分析的结果表明,China/Tib/07株全长15948bp,预测编码6种结构蛋白和2种非结构蛋白,与已发表小反刍兽疫病毒基因组的长度和结构相似;在系统进化上与西南亚流行毒株有很高的同源性(91.6%～98.1%);与麻疹病毒属的其它成员相比,与牛瘟病毒的同源性最高(64.3%)。     

A Rapid and Sensitive One Step-SYBR Green Based Semi Quantitative Real Time RT-PCR for the Detection of peste des petits ruminants Virus in the Clinical Samples

A sensitive and rapid single step real time (rt) RT-PCR was standardized using one-step Brilliant SYBR Green kit for detection and semi-quantitation of peste des petitis ruminants virus (PPRV) using the virus RNA and matrix (M) protein gene-specific primers and compared with established conventional RT-PCR and Taq Man RT-PCR. The assay amplifies a 124 bp fragment of the PPRV M gene with Tm of 78.28 to 78.50. The assay was linear within a range of 50 ng to 0.5 fg total virus RNA with a detection limit (sensitivity) of 0.5 fg. Based on the serial dilution of the live-attenuated PPR vaccine virus, the detection limit was ~0.0001 cell culture infectious dose 50% units (TCID50). Additionally, swab materials spiked with known titre of vaccine virus were equally well detected in the assay. The standardized rt RT-PCR was easily employed for the detection of PPRV nucleic acid directly in the field and experimental clinical samples. The assay detected the PPRV nucleic acid as early as 3 day post infection (dpi) and up to 20 dpi in swab materials from the experimental samples. The assay was rapid and more sensitive than TaqMan and conventional RT-PCR in the detection of PPRV nucleic acid from the PPR suspected clinical samples of sheep and goats. Therefore, the established, simplified SYBR green rt RT-PCR is an alternative test to the already existing various diagnostic assays and could be useful for rapid clinical diagnosis with advantage in reducing risk of contamination.     

小反刍兽疫病毒H蛋白的原核表达及免疫原性测定

小反刍兽疫是由小反刍兽疫病毒（peste des petits ruminants virus,PPRV）引起的急性、接触性传染病,对我国的畜牧业发展造成了严重的影响,目前主要通过疫苗进行防控。为检测PPRV主要抗原蛋白血凝素（hemagglutinin,H）蛋白的免疫原性,从GenBank数据库中查找了近年来公布的H蛋白氨基酸序列,选择1条符合我国流行趋势的序列,对其基因序列进行优化合成后克隆至pET28a载体上。筛选出表达量高的Rosetta（DE3）菌株进行表达,表达产物经SDS?PAGE、Western Blot及质谱分析鉴定。经镍柱亲和层析纯化出单一H蛋白,取20 μg与佐剂混合后免疫小鼠,收集血清进行抗体效价检测,结果显示,血清中H蛋白抗体滴度在二免2周时达到1∶6 400,表明H蛋白具有较好的免疫原性。进一步对二免2周时血清进行中和抗体检测显示,小鼠血清对PPRV疫苗株具有中和效应,中和效价不超过1∶40。研究结果对H蛋白用于PPRV疫苗的研发提供了理论依据。     

小反刍兽疫病毒Ｍ基因的截短表达及多抗血清的制备

目的 截短表达小反刍兽疫病毒M蛋白基因并将其用于多抗血清的制备。方法 之前有研究未能表达完整的M蛋白,而若在抗原性较弱的区域将其一分为二,以截短的形式进行表达,却能达到较理想的水平。因此根据GenBank上公布的PPRV M基因的序列,设计1对特异性引物,扩增出480 bp的目的基因,将其克隆至原核表达载体pET-32a(+)中,得到重组表达质粒pET-32a-PPRV-M1,后转化至Rosetta感受态细胞中,IPTG诱导表达后,通过SDS-PAGE和Western blot试验对重组蛋白进行鉴定,将纯化后的重组蛋白免疫6周龄BALB/c雌鼠,制备多克隆抗体血清。结果 经SDS-PAGE及Western blot鉴定,证明截短的M基因的蛋白主要以包涵体形式高效表达并具有良好的反应原性。结论 成功克隆表达了截短的小反刍兽疫病毒M基因的蛋白并制备了多抗血清,为建立血清学相关的检测方法及临床治疗奠定了基础。     

中国西藏小反刍兽疫病毒野生株China/Tib/Gej/07-30基质蛋白基因和融合蛋白基因的分子特征分析

对我国西藏小反刍兽疫病毒野生株China/Tib/Gej/07-30进行基质蛋白(M)和融合蛋白(F)基因序列测定,并进行分子生物学特征分析。首先应用逆转录聚合酶链式反应扩增出M和F基因片段,对聚合酶链式反应产物进行直接测序,然后对测定的核苷酸和推测的氨基酸序列进行比较分析。China/Tib/Gej/07-30的M基因由1483个核苷酸组成,编码335个氨基酸,与其他分离株核苷酸和氨基酸序列同源性分别为92.4%～97.7%和97.0%～98.2%。F基因由2411个核苷酸组成,编码546个氨基酸,与其他分离株核苷酸和氨基酸序列同源性分别为85.5%～96.1%和94.3%～98.2%。China/Tib/Gej/07-30的F蛋白含有信号肽序列和跨膜结构域,序列高度变异。F蛋白第104～108位和第109～133位氨基酸位点分别是高度保守的裂解位点和融合肽结构域。F蛋白还含有序列高度保守的三个七肽重复区。China/Tib/Gej/07-30的M基因3′端的非编码区(UTR)长度为443个核苷酸,GC含量高达68.4%,与其他PPRV毒株的同源性为82.4%～93.5%。China/Tib/Gej/07-30的F基因5′UTR区长度为634个核苷酸,GC含量高达70.0%,与其他PPRV毒株序列相似性为76.2%～91.7%。     

Complete genome sequence of a peste des petits ruminants virus recovered from wild bharal in tibet, china

For the first time, here we announce the complete genome sequence of a field isolate of Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) derived from macerated rectal tissue of a free living bharal (Pseudois nayaur) that displayed clinical disease consistent with severe infection with PPRV. Further, we compare the full genome of this isolate, termed PPRV Tibet/Bharal/2008, with previously available PPRV genomes, including those of virus isolates from domestic small ruminants local to the area where the reported isolate was collected. The current sequence is phylogenetically classified as a lineage IV virus, sharing high levels of sequence identity with previously described Tibetan PPRV isolates. Indeed, across the entire genome, only 26 nucleotide differences (0.16% nucleotide variation) and, consequently, 9 amino acid changes were present compared to sequences of locally derived viruses.     

Adenovirus-vectored T cell vaccine for hepacivirus shows reduced effectiveness against a CD8 T cell escape variant in rats

There is an urgent need for a vaccine to prevent chronic infection by hepatitis C virus (HCV) and its many genetic variants. The first human vaccine trial, using recombinant viral vectors that stimulate pan-genotypic T cell responses against HCV non-structural proteins, failed to demonstrate efficacy despite significant preclinical promise. Understanding the factors that govern HCV T cell vaccine success is necessary for design of improved immunization strategies. Using a rat model of chronic rodent hepacivirus (RHV) infection, we assessed the impact of antigenic variation and immune escape upon success of a conceptually analogous RHV T cell vaccine. Naïve Lewis rats were vaccinated with a recombinant human adenovirus expressing RHV non-structural proteins (NS)3-5B and later challenged with a viral variant containing immune escape mutations within major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-restricted epitopes (escape virus). Whereas 7 of 11 (64%) rats cleared infection caused by wild-type RHV, only 3 of 12 (25%) were protected against heterologous challenge with escape virus. Uncontrolled replication of escape virus was associated with durable CD8 T cell responses targeting escaped epitopes alone. In contrast, clearance of escape virus correlated with CD4 T cell helper immunity and maintenance of CD8 T cell responses against intact viral epitopes. Interestingly, clearance of wild-type RHV infection after vaccination conferred enhanced protection against secondary challenge with escape virus. These results demonstrate that the efficacy of an RHV T cell vaccine is reduced when challenge virus contains escape mutations within MHC class I-restricted epitopes and that failure to sustain CD8 T cell responses against intact epitopes likely underlies immune failure in this setting. Further investigation of the immune responses that yield protection against diverse RHV challenges in this model may facilitate design of broadly effective HCV vaccines.     

Microarray profiling of antibody responses against simian-human immunodeficiency virus: postchallenge convergence of reactivities independent of host histocompatibility type and vaccine regimen

We developed antigen microarrays to profile the breadth, strength, and kinetics of epitope-specific antiviral antibody responses in vaccine trials with a simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) model for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. These arrays contained 430 distinct proteins and overlapping peptides spanning the SHIV proteome. In macaques vaccinated with three different DNA and/or recombinant modified vaccinia virus Ankara (rMVA) vaccines encoding Gag-Pol or Gag-Pol-Env, these arrays distinguished vaccinated from challenged macaques, identified three novel viral epitopes, and predicted survival. Following viral challenge, anti-SHIV antibody responses ultimately converged to target eight immunodominant B-cell regions in Env regardless of vaccine regimen, host histocompatibility type, and divergent T-cell specificities. After challenge, responses to nonimmunodominant epitopes were transient, while responses to dominant epitopes were gained. These data suggest that the functional diversity of anti-SHIV B-cell responses is highly limited in the presence of persisting antigen.     

Reverse Genetics for Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus: Current Status and Lessons to Learn from Other Non-segmented Negative-Sense RNA Viruses

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious transboundary animal disease with a severe socio-economic impact on the livestock industry, particularly in poor countries where it is endemic. Full understanding of PPR virus (PPRV) pathobiology and molecular biology is critical for effective control and eradication of the disease. To achieve these goals, establishment of stable reverse genetics systems for PPRV would play a key role. Unfortunately, this powerful technology remains less accessible and poorly documented for PPRV. In this review, we discussed the current status of PPRV reverse genetics as well as the recent innovations and advances in the reverse genetics of other non-segmented negative-sense RNA viruses that could be applicable to PPRV. These strategies may contribute to the improvement of existing techniques and/or the development of new reverse genetics systems for PPRV.     

A recombinant Newcastle disease virus (NDV) expressing VP2 protein of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) protects against NDV and IBDV

Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) causes a highly immunosuppressive disease in chickens. Currently available, live IBDV vaccines can lead to generation of variant viruses. We have developed an alternative vaccine that will not create variant IBDV. By using the reverse genetics approach, we devised a recombinant Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vector from a commonly used vaccine strain LaSota to express the host-protective immunogen VP2 of a variant IBDV strain GLS-5. The gene encoding the VP2 protein of the IBDV was inserted into the most 3'-proximal locus of a full-length NDV cDNA for high-level expression. We successfully recovered the recombinant virus, rLaSota/VP2. The rLaSota/VP2 was genetically stable, at least up to 12 serial passages in chicken embryos, and was shown to express the VP2 protein. The VP2 protein was not incorporated into the virions of recombinant virus. Recombinant rLaSota/VP2 replicated to a titer similar to that of parental NDV strain LaSota in chicken embryos and cell cultures. To assess protective efficacy of the rLaSota/VP2, 2-day-old specific-pathogen-free chickens were vaccinated with the recombinant virus and challenged with a highly virulent NDV strain Texas GB or IBDV variant strain GLS-5 at 3 weeks postvaccination. Vaccination with rLaSota/VP2 generated antibody responses against both NDV and IBDV and provided 90% protection against NDV and IBDV. Booster immunization induced higher levels of antibody responses against both NDV and IBDV and conferred complete protection against both viruses. These results indicate that the recombinant NDV can be used as a vaccine vector for other avian pathogens.