SARS冠状病毒分离培养和鉴定的实验研究

建立严重急性呼吸综合征(SARS)冠状病毒分离、培养方法,为SARS冠状病毒动物模型的建立提供实验依据,并根据病毒在体内存活的时间确定检测指标。选用已鉴定为SARS冠状病毒的毒株,经过鼻腔接种感染恒河猴。定期采集咽拭子标本,分离血清或血浆,用Vero细胞进行病毒培养、分离。结果显示,在SARS冠状病毒感染恒河猴后2、5、7天,可以从拭子中分离到病毒,5～15天可在猴肺、脾、肝、肾和淋巴组织中分离到病毒,并用免疫荧光法和RT-PCR方法进行了确定。首次实验证实了SARS冠状病毒可在恒河猴体内复制。SARS病毒的成功分离是SARS冠状病毒动物模型建立的主要依据,在进行疫苗安全性和药效评价等工作中,病毒分离可作为药物筛选、疫苗评价的重要指标。     

SARS-CoV动物模型研究之中国现状

目的综合对比SARS-CoV感染的恒河猴、布氏田鼠及Lewis大鼠的病理学、免疫学以及病毒的复制与外排情况的变化,来探讨此三种动物在建立SARS模型上的特点。方法SARS病毒感染8只恒河猴、9只Lewis大鼠和20只布氏田鼠,在感染后不同时间安乐死动物,应用光镜对动物的各脏器进行病理观察研究;用病毒分离和RT-PCR方法检测病毒外排与复制的情况;用ELISA法检测动物产生特异性抗体情况。结果在SARS-CoV感染恒河猴、Lewis大鼠和布氏田鼠后,肺组织均出现一定的与人类SARS疾病相似的病理改变,在动物体内均可检测到活病毒或病毒核酸,并可检测到特异性IgG抗体的存在。在病死率上布氏田鼠最高;在病毒的复制与外排方面恒河猴的检出率最高,持续时间最长;在抗体产生情况上恒河猴与Lewis大鼠基本相似;在病理变化上恒河猴病变最重且最为复杂,与人类SARS疾病的病理变化最为接近。结论布氏田鼠,Lewis大鼠,特别是恒河猴动物模型可以用于SARS发病机制、疫苗和药物的研发,恒河猴动物模型是目前研究SARS疾病最理想的动物模型。     

SARS动物模型的研究

利用分离的SARS CoV毒株BJ 0 1,经滴鼻等途径感染大鼠、豚鼠、黑线仓鼠、白化仓鼠和雏鸡等 5个种属的动物 ,筛选对SARS易感的小动物。在此基础上 ,选择食蟹猴和恒河猴进行SARS的人工感染实验 ,评价其作为SARS动物模型的可能性。结果表明 ,大鼠、豚鼠、黑线仓鼠、白化仓鼠和雏鸡等动物对SARS均不易感 ,感染后未观察到任何的临床及病理学改变 ,不过从感染 2周后的大鼠和豚鼠的肺和咽等组织样本中检测到了的特异的核酸 ,提示SARS CoV能够在这两种动物的体内复制。从感染猴子的分泌物和脏器中分离出了病毒 ,证明SARS CoV也能够在猴子体内复制。临床和病理组织学检查结果显示 ,SARS病毒接种食蟹猴和恒河猴后 ,可以引起所有实验猴发生间质性肺炎 ,其病理学改变与人类感染SARS病毒后肺部病变近似 ,但病变的严重程度比较人类的轻得多 ,除此之外无任何其它的明显的临床表现及组织病理学改变 ,按照动物模型的指标判断食蟹猴和恒河猴并不是SARS的理想动物模型 ,不过在目前尚没有更理想的动物模型情况下 ,以间质性肺炎为病理学检查指标 ,恒河猴和食蟹猴可以作为评价抗SARS药物和疫苗的模型动物     

恒河猴感染SARS病毒致病模型的建立

为建立恒河猴严重急性呼吸道综合征(SARS)的模型并对其致病特点进行观察,采用病毒分离、免疫荧光、光镜及RT-PCR方法对病毒感染组和非感染组恒河猴不同时间、不同组织或分泌物进行检测。结果显示从恒河猴不同组织中分离到病毒,而且在病毒感染后第2d和第5d的血液、第7、9d的鼻咽分泌物、第3d的粪、第5d的粪尿中均检测到SARS-CoV RNA。光镜观察到病毒感染组肺组织肺泡问隔增宽,有大量淋巴细胞、单核细胞浸润,肺泡腔有渗出,甚至形成透明膜样物;多个肺泡形成机化性肺炎的表现。感染组肝组织可见较大的坏死灶,并伴有大量炎性细胞浸润。结论认为已成功建立了恒河猴SARS模型,可用于评价抗SARS药物和疫苗的研究。     

恒河猴感染SARS病毒致病模型的建立

为建立恒河猴严重急性呼吸道综合征(SARS)的模型并对其致病特点进行观察,采用病毒分离、免疫荧光、光镜及RT-PCR方法对病毒感染组和非感染组恒河猴不同时间、不同组织或分泌物进行检测.结果显示从恒河猴不同组织中分离到病毒,而且在病毒感染后第2d和第5d的血液、第7、9d的鼻咽分泌物、第3d的粪、第5d的粪尿中均检测到SARS-CoV RNA.光镜观察到病毒感染组肺组织肺泡间隔增宽,有大量淋巴细胞、单核细胞浸润,肺泡腔有渗出,甚至形成透明膜样物;多个肺泡形成机化性肺炎的表现.感染组肝组织可见较大的坏死灶,并伴有大量炎性细胞浸润.结论认为已成功建立了恒河猴SARS模型,可用于评价抗SARS药物和疫苗的研究.     

恒河猴Mamu-A^＊01基因与SIV／SHIV感染相关的研究进展

SIV／SHIV感染的恒河猴是研究艾滋病及艾滋病药物筛选、疫苗评价较理想的动物模型。MHC在细胞免疫中起着关键作用,研究表明,MHC-I类分子的多态性与SIV／SHIV感染者的疾病进展有着明显的关联作用,Mamu-A^＊01是恒河猴中的一种MHC-I类分子,它可以呈递特定的病毒蛋白片段到细胞的表面,从而激发CTL反应。国外发现Mamu-A^＊01阳性的猴艾滋病恒河猴会出现疾病进展缓慢,存活时间长等特征。本文就恒河猴Mamu-A^＊01基因与SIV／SHIV感染相关的研究进展做一综述,以期进一步加深对MHC在疫苗研究中的作用的了解,并促进更行之有效地对HIV／AIDS疫苗进行评价。     

表达SIV Gag/Env基因的DNA疫苗、重组腺病毒和重组痘苗病毒三载体疫苗联合免疫小鼠的细胞免疫研究

获得性免疫缺陷综合征即艾滋病是人类面临的严重公共卫生威胁,目前常用的药物疗法仍存在一定的缺陷,尚不能彻底治愈AIDS并阻断HIV的传播。将治疗型疫苗用于HIV感染的治疗具有一定的发展潜力,但缺乏适宜的HIV感染动物模型阻碍了治疗型HIV疫苗的研制。SIV能够感染非人灵长动物并引起类似AIDS的猴免疫缺陷病,因而常被用作研究HIV及其疫苗的替代动物模型。为了对SIV疫苗在猴感染模型中治疗SIV感染的效果进行评价,我们分别构建了表达SIV gag和env基因的DNA疫苗、重组腺病毒和重组痘苗病毒疫苗,并联合使用这三种疫苗免疫小鼠,对包括不同抗原组合、不同免疫次序及间隔的免疫策略进行探索和优化。IFN-γ酶联免疫斑点和小鼠体内杀伤试验的结果显示,通过三载体疫苗联合免疫,能够在小鼠体内诱导出强度较高、持续时间较长的SIV Gag/Env特异性细胞免疫反应。并且,重复免疫后仍可以诱导较高水平的免疫反应。该结果为在SIV感染猴模型中评价多载体疫苗序贯和重复免疫治疗SIV感染的研究奠定了基础,也为治疗型HIV疫苗的研究提供了参考。     

SARS冠状病毒感染恒河猴的病毒、血清学检测研究

[目的]对感染SARS-CoV的恒河猴进行病毒、血清学等指标检测及研究,确定模型动物成功感染,并为SARS发病机制,疫苗评价,药物筛选确定参考指标。[方法]SARSCo-V经鼻腔接种8只恒河猴,在感染的第1天开始到5、7、10、15、20、30和60天分别安乐死时,不同时间取咽拭子、血液和脏器,进行病毒分离,RT-PCR检测和抗体测定。[结果]用巢式RT-PCR在感染后每天提取的咽拭子标本中检测SARS-CoV的RNA,以细胞培养冠状病毒为阳性对照,以正常恒河猴咽拭子为阴性对照,在8只动物病毒接种第5天开始可检测到大小为797bp的目的条带,阳性检出最长可持续到第15天。进一步用病毒分离实验对PCR结果进行确证,8只动物中的5只恒河猴接种5天的咽拭子标本中,经Vero细胞培养,细胞产生了典型细胞病变(CPE),提示SARS冠状病毒能感染恒河猴并有病毒的复制和排毒。IFA方法证实为SRAS-CoV抗原存在。SARS-CoV感染恒河猴后,可以检测出免疫反应。在SARS冠状病毒接种前和接种后第5、8、11、15、19、23、26、30、34、每隔4-7天以及安乐死时采血,制备血清测定抗体,8只恒河猴接种病毒前均血清中SARS冠状病毒特异性抗体IgG为阴性,10天后安乐处死的5只感染猴在11-15天开始,至安乐死时,均为阳性。IgG阳性的5只恒河猴均有一定的中和抗体产生,且对SARS病毒感染细胞有一定的保护性。感染SARS病毒猴后与正常猴比较,其细胞杀伤效应明显增强。感染SARS-CoV的恒河猴不仅出现与SARS患者类似的临床和病理学改变,也在一定时期内排毒,出现特异免疫反应,这些指标均可作为药物筛选、疫苗评价等方面的重要参数。     

MERS-CoV动物模型研究进展

中东呼吸综合征冠状病毒(Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus,MERS-CoV)最早发现于2012年,是继严重急性呼吸窘迫综合征冠状病毒(severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus,SARS-CoV)之后,引起人类严重感染的又一种重要冠状病毒。对于该种新发现、致病性强、病死率高的感染性疾病,开发有效的动物模型对于研究疾病的发病过程、致病机理、评估预防与治疗措施的效果等具有重要理论和现实意义。到目前为止,非人灵长类动物如恒河猴、狨猴,小型动物如小鼠、仓鼠、雪貂、新西兰白兔等均被尝试作为MERS-CoV感染的动物模型。其中一些已经用于评估疫苗或药物的干预效果。本文就MERS-CoV动物模型研究进展作一综述。     

科技动态

两种SARS候选疫苗攻毒效果评价SARS疾病流行已经过去3年多了,但是对SARS防治的研究还在继续。加拿大的科学家在病毒遗传学杂志上报道了他们新开发的两种抗SARS病毒疫苗,并利用129S6/SvEv小鼠模型比较了它们的有效性。这两种疫苗,一个为灭活疫苗(用β-丙内酯,beta-propiolactone灭活),另一个为两种腺病毒载体重组的疫苗,分别表达SARS-CoV的N蛋白和S蛋白(命名为Ad S/N)。评价方式包括血清中和抗体滴度、细胞免疫反应和对SARS-CoV在肺部复制的抑制作用。灭活疫苗经皮下注射129S6/SvEv小鼠,而Ad S/N疫苗分别采取鼻腔吸入和肌肉…     

Generation and characterization of DNA vaccines targeting the nucleocapsid protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a serious threat to public health and the economy on a global scale. The SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) has been identified as the etiological agent for SARS. Thus, vaccination against SARS-CoV may represent an effective approach to controlling SARS. DNA vaccines are an attractive approach for SARS vaccine development, as they offer many advantages over conventional vaccines, including stability, simplicity, and safety. Our investigators have previously shown that DNA vaccination with antigen linked to calreticulin (CRT) dramatically enhances major histocompatibility complex class I presentation of linked antigen to CD8(+) T cells. In this study, we have employed this CRT-based enhancement strategy to create effective DNA vaccines using SARS-CoV nucleocapsid (N) protein as a target antigen. Vaccination with naked CRT/N DNA generated the most potent N-specific humoral and T-cell-mediated immune responses in vaccinated C57BL/6 mice among all of the DNA constructs tested. Furthermore, mice vaccinated with CRT/N DNA were capable of significantly reducing the titer of challenging vaccinia virus expressing the N protein of the SARS virus. These results show that a DNA vaccine encoding CRT linked to a SARS-CoV antigen is capable of generating strong N-specific humoral and cellular immunity and may potentially be useful for control of infection with SARS-CoV.     

SARS Research in China

SARS Research in China     

Lack of Innate Interferon Responses during SARS Coronavirus Infection in a Vaccination and Reinfection Ferret Model

In terms of its highly pathogenic nature, there remains a significant need to further define the immune pathology of SARS-coronavirus (SARS-CoV) infection, as well as identify correlates of immunity to help develop vaccines for severe coronaviral infections. Here we use a SARS-CoV infection-reinfection ferret model and a functional genomics approach to gain insight into SARS immunopathogenesis and to identify correlates of immune protection during SARS-CoV-challenge in ferrets previously infected with SARS-CoV or immunized with a SARS virus vaccine. We identified gene expression signatures in the lungs of ferrets associated with primary immune responses to SARS-CoV infection and in ferrets that received an identical second inoculum. Acute SARS-CoV infection prompted coordinated innate immune responses that were dominated by antiviral IFN response gene (IRG) expression. Reinfected ferrets, however, lacked the integrated expression of IRGs that was prevalent during acute infection. The expression of specific IRGs was also absent upon challenge in ferrets immunized with an inactivated, Al(OH)₃-adjuvanted whole virus SARS vaccine candidate that protected them against SARS-CoV infection in the lungs. Lack of IFN-mediated immune enhancement in infected ferrets that were previously inoculated with, or vaccinated against, SARS-CoV revealed 9 IRG correlates of protective immunity. This data provides insight into the molecular pathogenesis of SARS-CoV and SARS-like-CoV infections and is an important resource for the development of CoV antiviral therapeutics and vaccines.     

Mice transgenic for human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 provide a model for SARS coronavirus infection

To establish a small animal model of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), we developed a mouse model of human severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) infection by introducing the human gene for angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) (the cellular receptor of SARS-CoV), driven by the mouse ACE2 promoter, into the mouse genome. The hACE2 gene was expressed in lung, heart, kidney, and intestine. We also evaluated the responses of wild-type and transgenic mice to SARS-CoV inoculation. At days 3 and 7 postinoculation, SARS-CoV replicated more efficiently in the lungs of transgenic mice than in those of wild-type mice. In addition, transgenic mice had more severe pulmonary lesions, including interstitial hyperemia and hemorrhage, monocytic and lymphocytic infiltration, protein exudation, and alveolar epithelial cell proliferation and desquamation. Other pathologic changes, including vasculitis, degeneration, and necrosis, were found in the extrapulmonary organs of transgenic mice, and viral antigen was found in brain. Therefore, transgenic mice were more susceptible to SARS-CoV than were wild-type mice, and susceptibility was associated with severe pathologic changes that resembled human SARS infection. These mice will be valuable for testing potential vaccine and antiviral drug therapies and for furthering our understanding of SARS pathogenesis.     

Immunogenicity of a recombinant VSV-Vectored SARS-CoV vaccine induced robust immunity in rhesus monkeys after single-dose immunization

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a highly contagious zoonotic disease caused by SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV). Since its outbreak in Guangdong Province of China in 2002, SARS has caused 8096 infections and 774 deaths by December 31st, 2003. Although there have been no more SARS cases reported in human populations since 2004, the recent emergence of a novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) indicates the potential of the recurrence of SARS and other coronavirus disease among humans. Thus, developing a rapid response SARS vaccine to provide protection for human populations is still needed. Spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV can induce neutralizing antibodies, which is a pivotal immunogenic antigen for vaccine development. Here we constructed a recombinant chimeric vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) VSVΔG-SARS, in which the glycoprotein (G) gene is replaced with the SARS-CoV S gene. VSVΔG-SARS maintains the bullet-like shape of the native VSV, with the heterogeneous S protein incorporated into its surface instead of G protein. The results of safety trials revealed that VSVΔG-SARS is safe and effective in mice at a dose of 1×10⁶ TCID₅₀. More importantly, only a single-dose immunization of 2×10⁷ TCID₅₀ can provide high-level neutralizing antibodies and robust T cell responses to non-human primate animal models. Thus, our data indicate that VSVΔG-SARS can be used as a rapid response vaccine candidate. Our study on the recombinant VSV-vectored SARS-CoV vaccines can accumulate experience and provide a foundation for the new coronavirus disease in the future.     

人ACE2转基因小鼠对SARS-CoV的易感性

目的建立敏感的SARS小动物模型。方法通过显微注射技术,将编码SARS-CoV细胞受体的人血管紧张素转换酶(hACE2)基因导入小鼠的基因组中制备了hACE2转基因小鼠,在小鼠ACE2(mACE2)启动子的调控下,hACE2蛋白在转基因小鼠的肺脏、心脏、肾脏和小肠表达。我们观察了野生型和转基因小鼠在SARS冠状病毒接种后病原学和病理学方面的反应。结果在接种后第3天和第7天,病毒能够更有效地在转基因小鼠的肺脏复制,而且转基因小鼠出现更严重的肺损伤。肺组织的损伤包括肺间质充血、出血,单核细胞、淋巴细胞浸润及血浆蛋白的渗出,肺泡上皮细胞增生、脱落,此外,在转基因小鼠的某些器官还发现了血管炎、变性和坏死等病理变化。在转基因小鼠的肺上皮细胞、血管内皮细胞和脑神经细胞检测到病毒抗原。结论转基因小鼠比野生型小鼠对SARS病毒更易感,而且表现出更接近SARS患者的病理变化。     

老龄ICR小鼠对SARS-CoV的易感性

目的为探讨SARS的发病机制并提供易感的SARS动物模型。方法利用RT-PCR和病毒分离后免疫荧光技术检测成龄鼠和老龄鼠接种SARS-CoV后肺组织内病毒复制情况,同时观察两组动物的肺脏和肺外组织器官的病理变化,对肺组织进行免疫组化分析,观察SARS-CoV在肺内复制的主要部位。结果老龄鼠的感染率明显高于成龄鼠;老龄鼠肺脏出现更为严重的弥漫性肺泡损伤,其中两只老龄鼠的肺外器官出现了变性、灶状坏死以及血管广泛的扩张充血等全身中毒性变化;肺脏内病毒抗原主要存在于肺泡上皮细胞和间质的血管内皮细胞。结论老龄ICR小鼠对SARS-CoV的易感性明显高于成龄鼠,有可能作为研究SARS发病机制以及药物评价的动物模型。     

Immunization with SARS coronavirus vaccines leads to pulmonary immunopathology on challenge with the SARS virus

Background

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) emerged in China in 2002 and spread to other countries before brought under control. Because of a concern for reemergence or a deliberate release of the SARS coronavirus, vaccine development was initiated. Evaluations of an inactivated whole virus vaccine in ferrets and nonhuman primates and a virus-like-particle vaccine in mice induced protection against infection but challenged animals exhibited an immunopathologic-type lung disease.

Design

Four candidate vaccines for humans with or without alum adjuvant were evaluated in a mouse model of SARS, a VLP vaccine, the vaccine given to ferrets and NHP, another whole virus vaccine and an rDNA-produced S protein. Balb/c or C57BL/6 mice were vaccinated IM on day 0 and 28 and sacrificed for serum antibody measurements or challenged with live virus on day 56. On day 58, challenged mice were sacrificed and lungs obtained for virus and histopathology.

Results

All vaccines induced serum neutralizing antibody with increasing dosages and/or alum significantly increasing responses. Significant reductions of SARS-CoV two days after challenge was seen for all vaccines and prior live SARS-CoV. All mice exhibited histopathologic changes in lungs two days after challenge including all animals vaccinated (Balb/C and C57BL/6) or given live virus, influenza vaccine, or PBS suggesting infection occurred in all. Histopathology seen in animals given one of the SARS-CoV vaccines was uniformly a Th2-type immunopathology with prominent eosinophil infiltration, confirmed with special eosinophil stains. The pathologic changes seen in all control groups lacked the eosinophil prominence.

Conclusions

These SARS-CoV vaccines all induced antibody and protection against infection with SARS-CoV. However, challenge of mice given any of the vaccines led to occurrence of Th2-type immunopathology suggesting hypersensitivity to SARS-CoV components was induced. Caution in proceeding to application of a SARS-CoV vaccine in humans is indicated.     

Is there an ideal animal model for SARS?

The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003 was controlled by public health measures at a time when specific interventions such as antiviral drugs, vaccines and immunotherapy were not available. Since then, several animal models have been developed for the study of SARS and, although no model replicates the human disease in all aspects, the use of animal models for SARS has led to the establishment of several important principles for vaccine and immunotherapy. Consistency and reproducibility of findings in a given model must be demonstrated to establish the superiority of one model over others. Here, we suggest aspects of an ideal animal model for studies of SARS pathogenesis and vaccine development and present our assessment of the strengths and limitations of the current animal models for SARS.