Antigenic sequences of poliovirus recognized by T cells: serotype-specific epitopes on VP1 and VP3 and cross-reactive epitopes on VP4 defined by using CD4+ T-cell clones.

A panel of poliovirus-specific murine CD4+ T-cell clones has been established from both BALB/c (H-2d) and CBA (H-2k) mice immunized with Sabin vaccine strains of poliovirus serotype 1, 2, or 3. T-cell clones were found to be either serotype specific or cross-reactive between two or all three serotypes. Specificity analysis against purified poliovirus proteins demonstrated that T-cell clones recognized determinants on the surface capsid proteins VP1, VP2, and VP3 and the internal capsid protein VP4. Panels of overlapping synthetic peptides were used to identify eight distinct T-cell epitopes. One type 3-specific T-cell clone recognized an epitope within amino acids 257 and 264 of VP1. Three T-cell epitopes corresponding to residues 14 to 28, 189 to 203, and 196 to 210 were identified on VP3 of poliovirus type 2. The remaining four T-cell epitopes were mapped to an immunodominant region of VP4, encompassed within residues 6 and 35 and recognized by both H-2d and H-2k mice. The epitopes on VP4 were conserved between serotypes, and this may account for the predominantly cross-reactive poliovirus-specific T-cell response observed with polyclonal T-cell populations. In contrast, T-cell clones that recognize epitopes on VP1 or VP3 were largely serotype specific; single or multiple amino acid substitutions were found to be critical for T-cell recognition.     

Circulation of enteroviruses in Cyprus assessed by molecular analysis of clinical specimens and sewage isolates

Aims: To study the circulation of non‐polio enteroviruses in the Cypriot population and assess the clinical relevance of different serotypes by the analysis of clinical specimens and environmental samples. Methods and Results: Sewage samples were collected on a monthly basis for 2 years from all five districts of Cyprus. Enteroviruses were isolated using the VIRADEN method and typed by partial VP1 region sequencing. In addition, all enterovirus‐positive clinical samples received during this 2‐year period were typed, and a phylogenetic comparison of clinical and sewage samples based on the partial VP1 sequences was made. A significant difference between the most common serotypes found in sewage and clinical samples was observed. While Coxsackieviruses B constituted the most frequent serotypes in sewages, Echoviruses 30 and 18 prevailed in clinical samples. Conclusions: The phylogenetic analysis revealed that certain enterovirus strains circulate in the population over long period of time, while others are observed only sporadically and disappear quickly. For some serotypes, it was observed that several strains were cocirculating in the population but only some of them being detected also in clinical specimens. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study, for the first time, compares enteroviruses isolated from environmental samples and clinical specimens on a molecular level, which allowed for strain identification and discrimination. A more comprehensive molecular analysis of these strains will help identify factors, which determine different degrees of pathogenicity.     

Molecular Evolution of the Human Enteroviruses: Correlation of Serotype with VP1 Sequence and Application to Picornavirus Classification

Sixty-six human enterovirus serotypes have been identified by serum neutralization, but the molecular determinants of the serotypes are unknown. Since the picornavirus VP1 protein contains a number of neutralization domains, we hypothesized that the VP1 sequence should correspond with neutralization (serotype) and, hence, with phylogenetic lineage. To test this hypothesis and to analyze the phylogenetic relationships among the human enteroviruses, we determined the complete VP1 sequences of the prototype strains of 47 human enterovirus serotypes and 10 antigenic variants. Our sequences, together with those available from GenBank, comprise a database of complete VP1 sequences for all 66 human enterovirus serotypes plus additional strains of seven serotypes. Phylogenetic trees constructed from complete VP1 sequences produced the same four major clusters as published trees based on partial VP2 sequences; in contrast to the VP2 trees, however, in the VP1 trees strains of the same serotype were always monophyletic. In pairwise comparisons of complete VP1 sequences, enteroviruses of the same serotype were clearly distinguished from those of heterologous serotypes, and the limits of intraserotypic divergence appeared to be about 25% nucleotide sequence difference or 12% amino acid sequence difference. Pairwise comparisons suggested that coxsackie A11 and A15 viruses should be classified as strains of the same serotype, as should coxsackie A13 and A18 viruses. Pairwise identity scores also distinguished between enteroviruses of different clusters and enteroviruses from picornaviruses of different genera. The data suggest that VP1 sequence comparisons may be valuable in enterovirus typing and in picornavirus taxonomy by assisting in the genus assignment of unclassified picornaviruses.Human enteroviruses (family Picornaviridae) infect millions of people worldwide each year, resulting in a wide range of clinical outcomes ranging from inapparent infection to mild respiratory illness (common cold), hand-foot-and-mouth disease, acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis, aseptic meningitis, myocarditis, severe neonatal sepsis-like disease, and acute flaccid paralysis (reviewed in references 43 and 45). In the United States, enteroviruses are responsible for 30,000 to 50,000 meningitis hospitalizations per year as a result of 30 million to 50 million infections. Serologic studies have distinguished 66 human enterovirus serotypes on the basis of an antibody neutralization test (43), and additional antigenic variants have been defined within several of the serotypes on the basis of reduced or nonreciprocal cross-neutralization between prototype and variant strains (6, 8, 68, 71, 72). On the basis of their pathogenesis in humans and experimental animals, the enteroviruses were originally classified into four groups, polioviruses, coxsackie A viruses (CA), coxsackie B viruses (CB), and echoviruses, but it was quickly realized that there were significant overlaps in the biological properties of viruses in the different groups (8). The more recently isolated enteroviruses have been named with a system of consecutive numbers: EV68, EV69, EV70, and EV71 (42).A comparison of nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences at the 5′ end of VP2 has identified four major phylogenetic groups within the Enterovirus genus: CA16-like viruses (cluster A), a CB-like group containing all CB and echoviruses as well as CA9 and EV69 (cluster B), poliovirus-like viruses (cluster C), and EV68 and EV70 (cluster D) (23, 24, 49, 53, 54, 73). However, pairwise alignments and phylogenetic analyses within these groups demonstrated that the VP2 sequence does not fully correlate with serotype, as viruses known to belong to the same serotype often failed to cluster together (2, 49). (E22 and E23 are genetically distinct from enteroviruses [24], and their reclassification into a separate genus has been proposed [45]).VP1 is the most external and immunodominant of the picornavirus capsid proteins (58). A number of major neutralization sites reside in the VP1 proteins of many picornaviruses (reviewed in references 40 and 44), but the specific epitopes responsible for serotype specificity and intratypic variation have not been identified. Similarly, the genetic correlates of serotype identity remain unknown. If the important serotype-specific neutralization sites reside in VP1, then the VP1 sequence or some portion thereof would be predicted to correlate with serotype. Studies on the three serotypes of poliovirus have shown that a partial VP1 sequence correlates well with serotype (32). In addition, genetic lineages based on the VP1 sequence can be used to define poliovirus reservoirs and chains of transmission (reviewed in reference 30). To test whether the VP1 sequence might be applied to the classification of nonpolio enteroviruses and to the analysis of the phylogenetic relationships among the human enteroviruses, we determined the complete VP1 nucleotide sequences for 47 human enterovirus prototypes and 10 well-characterized antigenic variants. These data, together with previously available sequences, comprise a database of complete VP1 sequences for all known human enterovirus serotypes and 12 natural antigenic variants. This database will be useful for molecular epidemiologic studies of enteroviral disease outbreaks, to obtain a better understanding of the genetic correlates of serotype, and for the development of enteroviral molecular diagnostic reagents.     

Environmental Surveillance of Human Enteroviruses in Shandong Province,China, 2008 to 2012: Serotypes,Temporal Fluctuation,and Molecular Epidemiology

Environmental surveillance is an effective approach in investigating the circulation of polioviruses (PVs) and other human enteroviruses (EVs) in the population. The present report describes the results of environmental surveillance conducted in Shandong Province, China, from 2008 to 2012. A total of 129 sewage samples were collected, and 168 PVs and 1,007 nonpolio enteroviruses (NPEVs) were isolated. VP1 sequencing and typing were performed on all isolates. All PV strains were Sabin-like, with the numbers of VP1 substitutions ranging from 0 to 7. The NPEVs belonged to 19 serotypes, and echovirus 6 (E6), E11, coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3), E3, E12, and E7 were the six main serotypes, which accounted for 18.3%, 14.8%, 14.5%, 12.9%, 9.0%, and 5.7% of NPEVs isolated, respectively. Typical summer-fall peaks of NPEV were observed in the monthly distribution of isolation, and an epidemic pattern of annual circulation was revealed for the common serotypes. Phylogenetic analysis was performed on environmental CVB3 and E3 strains with global reference strains and local strains from aseptic meningitis patients. Shandong strains formed distinct clusters, and a close relationship was observed between local environmental and clinical strains. As an EV-specific case surveillance system is absent in China and many other countries, continuous environmental surveillance should be encouraged to investigate the temporal circulation and phylogeny of EVs in the population.     

Characterization of human serotype 1 astrovirus-neutralizing epitopes.

Astroviruses are important agents of pediatric gastroenteritis. To better understand astrovirus antigenic structure and the basis of protective immunity, monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were produced against serotype 1 human astrovirus. Four MAbs were generated. One MAb (8G4) was nonneutralizing but reacted to all seven serotypes of astrovirus by enzyme-linked immunosorbentassay (ELISA) and immunoperoxidase staining of infected cells. Three MAbs were found to have potent neutralizing activity against astrovirus. The first (5B7) was serotype 1 specific, another (7C2) neutralized all seven human astrovirus serotypes, while the third (3B2) neutralized serotypes 1 and 7. Immunoprecipitation of radiolabeled astrovirus proteins from supernatants of astrovirus-infected cells showed that all three neutralizing antibodies reacted with VP29. MAb 5B7 also reacted strongly with VP26. A competition ELISA showed that all three neutralizing antibodies competed with each other for binding to purified astrovirus virions, suggesting that their epitopes were topographically in close proximity. None of the neutralizing MAbs competed with nonneutralizing MAb 8G4. The neutralizing MAbs were used to select antigenic variant astroviruses, which were then studied in neutralization assays. These assays also suggested a close relationship between the respective epitopes. All three neutralizing MAbs were able to prevent attachment of radiolabeled astrovirus particles to human Caco 2 intestinal cell monolayers. Taken together, these data suggest that the astrovirus capsid protein VP29 may be important in viral neutralization, heterotypic immunity, and virus attachment to target cells.     

Identification of T-helper epitopes in the VP1 capsid protein of poliovirus.

Poliovirus-specific T lymphocytes were isolated from virus-immunized mice of different H-2 haplotypes. Immunological characterization of this population indicates that the effector population involved in the observed poliovirus-specific proliferative response was that of CD4-positive T-helper cells. Proliferative responses also were induced within these T-lymphocyte populations upon stimulation with either purified VP1 capsid protein or VP1 synthetic peptides. By using these synthetic peptides, several T-helper epitopes were identified. Generally, proliferative responses were observed in three regions of VP1. Two regions spanning VP1 residues 86 to 120 and 201 to 241 were recognized by T lymphocytes from BALB/c (H-2d), C57BL/6 (H-2b), and C3H/HeJ (H-2k) backgrounds. Analyses using synthetic peptides of nonoverlapping sequences indicated that the region spanning residues 201 to 241 may contain several T epitopes and may account for the strong proliferative response observed. In addition, for two of the three haplotypes examined, T epitopes were observed within residues 7 to 24 of VP1. Additional epitopes which appeared to be restricted to specific H-2 backgrounds were identified. T epitopes within VP1 that are common between different strains of mice appeared to lie within previously identified neutralizing antigenic sites in poliovirus.     

A retrospective overview of enterovirus infection diagnosis and molecular epidemiology in the public hospitals of Marseille, France (1985-2005)

Human enteroviruses (HEV) are frequent human pathogens and, associated in particular with large outbreaks of aseptic meningitis. Here, we have compiled a database of clinical HEV isolates from the Public Hospitals of Marseille, from 1985 to 2005. Amongst 654 isolates that could be characterized by complete sequencing of the VP1 gene, 98% belonged to species HEV-B; the most frequently isolated serotypes were Echovirus E30, E11, E7, E6 and E4. The high incidence of E30 and the recent emergence of E13 are consistent with reports worldwide and peak HEV isolation occurred mostly in the late spring and summer months. The proportion of echoviruses has decreased across the years, while that of coxsackieviruses has increased. Stool (the most frequent sample type) allowed detection of all identified serotypes. MRC5 (Human lung fibroblasts) cell line was the most conducive cell line for HEV isolation (84.9% of 10 most common serotype isolates, 96.3% in association with BGM (Buffalo green monkey kidney cells)). Previous seroneutralization-based serotype identification demonstrated 55.4% accuracy when compared with molecular VP1 analysis. Our analysis of a large number of clinical strains over 20 years reinforced the validity of VP1 serotyping and showed that comparative p-distance scores can be coupled with phylogenetic analysis to provide non-ambiguous serotype identification. Phylogenetic analysis in the VP1, 2C and 3D regions also provided evidence for recombination events amongst clinical isolates. In particular, it identified isolates with dissimilar VP1 but almost identical nonstructural regions.     

口蹄疫病毒三价复合多表位佐剂DNA疫苗构建及其免疫原性

以O型、A型口蹄疫病毒(FMDV)结构蛋白VP1全基因和AsiaI型FMDV两个基因拓扑型的结构蛋白VP1基因上的5个抗原表位基因作为主要免疫原基因,以来源于非结构蛋白3ABC和结构蛋白VP4上的3个Th2细胞表位基因作为辅助基因,构建了O型、A型和Asia1型FMDV复合多表位基因工程疫苗表达盒OAAT,在此基础上,以金黄色葡萄球菌肠毒素A(SEA)为基因佐剂,通过分子设计构建了SEA与OAAT融合表达基因。将构建好的表达盒OAAT与SEA融合表达基因克隆至真核表达载体PVAX1PCMV启动子下游,构建了口蹄疫三价基因佐剂DNA疫苗pEA。经Western blotting和IFA检测,目的蛋白在Hela细胞中获得正确表达。小鼠免疫实验表明,pA和pEA免疫组的血清抗体均能分别与O型、A型和AsiaI抗原反应,与对照组相比差异较显著,且pEA免疫组和灭活疫苗免疫组抗体水平均显著高于pA免疫组;同时pA和pEA免疫小鼠细胞因子IL-2、IFN-γ、IL-4和IL-10较对照组显著提高,且pEA免疫组的IL-2、IFN-γ和IL-4水平明显高于pA免疫组。用O/NY00和Asia1/YNBS/58株FMDV进行...     

Mapping and characterization of antigenic epitopes and the nucleic acid-binding domains of the VP6 protein of bluetongue viruses.

Heterologously expressed VP6 and truncated VP6 proteins of bluetongue virus (BTV) serotype 11 purified to near homogeneity were used for structure and function analyses. The yield of the expressed VP6 was host cell dependent. Six antigenic epitopes of VP6 of BTV were identified and mapped by immunoblot analyses and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with oligoclonal antibodies. These determinants were surface accessible and conserved among the cognate VP6 proteins of five U.S. BTV serotypes. The amino acid sequences and sizes of these six antigenic epitopes were determined, and their precise locations were also mapped and confirmed by deletion analyses. The nucleic acid binding activities of VP6, confirmed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay, were concentration dependent. The binding activities and affinities of the purified expressed VP6 protein towards double-stranded RNA and double-stranded DNA were similar. Two domains of VP6, corresponding to three of the six antigenic epitopes, were responsible for the nucleic acid binding activities and have been mapped within 28 amino acids near the middle and 11 residues near the carboxyl terminus of VP6 by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and deletion mutant analyses. Synthetic oligopeptides corresponding to these three regions also exhibited similar concentration-dependent nucleic acid binding activities.     

柯萨奇病毒A组2、6、8、12型山东地方株型别鉴定及其基因特征分析

在前期研究中,对山东省1989～2011年急性弛缓性麻痹(Acute flaccid paralysis,AFP)和手足口病(Hand,foot and mouth disease,HFMD)患者标本中分离到的部分人类肠道病毒(Human enteroviruses,HEVs)进行分子定型,发现了8个HEV-A血清型。为进一步探究HEV-A组病毒在山东省的基因型分布及分子进化特征,本研究继续对剩余分离株进行核酸提取,以HEV-A组特异性引物对VP1完整编码区进行序列扩增、测序和分子定型,又鉴定出4个血清型,分别为柯萨奇病毒A组(Coxsackievirus A,CVA)2、6、8、12型,共7株病毒。同源性分析显示,7株HEV-A山东分离株与其原型株核苷酸同源性介于80.8%～85.0%之间。系统进化树表明,CVA8、12型山东分离株与国内分离株存在一定亲缘关系,而CVA2、6型山东株同国内外分离株亲缘关系均较远,并且CVA2、6型在山东省内可能存在多个传播链。本研究将我省HEV-A组的血清型别增加至12个,进一步丰富了HEV-A山东地方株的遗传进化特征,并且发现CVA2、6、8、12血清型在山东省甚至全国范围内存在不同基因特征的传播链的共循环。     

Immunodominant IgM and IgG Epitopes Recognized by Antibodies Induced in Enterovirus A71-Associated Hand,Foot and Mouth Disease Patients

Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) is one of the main causative agents of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). Unlike other enteroviruses that cause HFMD, EV-A71 is more frequently associated with severe neurological complications and fatality. To date, no effective licensed antivirals are available to combat EV-A71 infection. Little is known about the immunogenicity of viral non-structural proteins in humans. Previous studies have mainly focused on characterization of epitopes of EV-A71 structural proteins by using immunized animal antisera. In this study, we have characterized human antibody responses against the structural and non-structural proteins of EV-A71. Each viral protein was cloned and expressed in either bacterial or mammalian systems, and tested with antisera by western blot. Results revealed that all structural proteins (VP1-4), and non-structural proteins 2A, 3C and 3D were targets of EV-A71 IgM, whereas EV-A71 IgG recognized all the structural and non-structural proteins. Sixty three synthetic peptides predicted to be immunogenic in silico were synthesized and used for the characterization of EV-A71 linear B-cell epitopes. In total, we identified 22 IgM and four IgG dominant epitopes. Synthetic peptide PEP27, corresponding to residues 142–156 of VP1, was identified as the EV-A71 IgM-specific immunodominant epitope. PEP23, mapped to VP1 41–55, was recognized as the EV-A71 IgG cross-reactive immunodominant epitope. The structural protein VP1 is the major immunodominant site targeted by anti-EV-A71 IgM and IgG antibodies, but epitopes against non-structural proteins were also detected. These data provide new understanding of the immune response to EV-A71 infection, which benefits the development of diagnostic tools, potential therapeutics and subunit vaccine candidates.     

RNA recombination plays a major role in genomic change during circulation of coxsackie B viruses

RNA recombination has been shown to occur during circulation of enteroviruses, but most studies have focused on poliovirus. To examine the role of recombination in the evolution of the coxsackie B viruses (CVB), we determined the partial sequences of four genomic intervals for multiple clinical isolates of each of the six CVB serotypes isolated from 1970 to 1996. The regions sequenced were the 5'-nontranslated region (5'-NTR) (350 nucleotides [nt]), capsid (VP4-VP2, 416 nt, and VP1, approximately 320 nt), and polymerase (3D, 491 nt). Phylogenetic trees were constructed for each genome region, using the clinical isolate sequences and those of the prototype strains of all 65 enterovirus serotypes. The partial VP1 sequences of each CVB serotype were monophyletic with respect to serotype, as were the VP4-VP2 sequences, in agreement with previously published studies. In some cases, however, incongruent tree topologies suggested that intraserotypic recombination had occurred between the sequenced portions of VP2 and VP1. Outside the capsid region, however, isolates of the same serotype were not monophyletic, indicating that recombination had occurred between the 5'-NTR and capsid, the capsid and 3D, or both. Almost all clinical isolates were recombinant relative to the prototype strain of the same serotype. All of the recombination partners appear to be members of human enterovirus species B. These results suggest that recombination is a frequent event during enterovirus evolution but that there are genetic restrictions that may influence recombinational compatibility.     

National Epidemiology and Evolutionary History of Four Hand,Foot and Mouth Disease-Related Enteroviruses in China from 2008 to 2016

Hand, foot and mouth disease(HFMD) is a major public health concern in China. The most predominant enteroviruses that cause HFMD have traditionally been attributed to enterovirus A71(EVA71) and coxsackievirus A16(CVA16). Since its first large outbreak in 2008, the dominant HFMD pathogens are constantly changing. In 2013 and 2015, CVA6 exceeded both EVA71 and CVA16 to become the leading cause of HFMD in some provinces. However, there still lacks a comprehensive overview on the molecular epidemiology and evolution of HFMD-related enteroviruses at the national level. In this study, we performed systematic epidemiological analyses of HFMD-related enteroviruses using the data of 64 published papers that met the inclusion criteria, and conducted phylogenetic analyses based on 12,080 partial VP1 sequences identified in China before 31 st June 2018. We found that EVA71 prevalence has decreased sharply but other enteroviruses have increased rapidly from 2008 to 2016 and that one subtype of each enterovirus is represented during the epidemic. In addition, four genotypes EVA71_C4, CVA16_B1, CVA6_D and CVA10_C are the most predominant enterovirus strains and collectively they cause over 90% of all HFMD cases in China according to the phylogenetic trees using representative partial VP1 sequences. These four major enterovirus genotypes have different geographical distributions, and they may cocirculate with other genotypes and serotypes. These results suggest that more molecular epidemiological studies should be performed on several enteroviruses simultaneously, and such information should have implications for virological surveillance, disease management, vaccine development and policy-making on the prevention and control of HFMD.     

Serotype-specific epitope(s) present on the VP8 subunit of rotavirus VP4 protein.

cDNA clones representing the VP8 and VP5 subunits of VP4 of symptomatic human rotavirus strain KU (VP7 serotype 1 and VP4 serotype 1A) or DS-1 (VP7 serotype 2 and VP4 serotype 1B) or asymptomatic human rotavirus strain 1076 (VP7 serotype 2 and VP4 serotype 2) were constructed and inserted into the pGEMEX-1 plasmid and expressed in Escherichia coli. Immunization of guinea pigs with the VP8 or VP5 protein of each strain induced antibodies that neutralized the rotavirus from which the VP4 subunits were derived. In a previous study (M. Gorziglia, G. Larralde, A.Z. Kapikian, and R. M. Chanock, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87:7155-7159, 1990), three distinct serotypes and one subtype of VP4 outer capsid protein were identified among 17 human rotavirus strains that had previously been assigned to five distinct VP7 serotypes. The results obtained by cross-immunoprecipitation and by neutralization assay with antisera to the VP8- and VP5-expressed proteins suggest that the VP8 subunit of VP4 contains the major antigenic site(s) responsible for serotype-specific neutralization of rotavirus via VP4, whereas the VP5 subunit of VP4 is responsible for much of the cross-reactivity observed among strains that belong to different VP4 serotypes.     

Human rotavirus K8 strain represents a new VP4 serotype.

The complete VP4 gene of the human rotavirus (HRV) K8 strain (G1 serotype) was cloned and inserted into the baculovirus transfer vector pVL941 under the control of the polyhedrin promoter. A K8VP4 recombinant baculovirus was obtained by cotransfection of Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells with transfer vector DNA containing the K8VP4 gene and wild-type baculovirus DNA. Infection of Sf9 cells with this VP4 recombinant baculovirus resulted in the production of a protein that is similar in size and antigenic activity to the authentic VP4 of the K8 strain. Guinea pigs immunized with the expressed VP4 developed antibodies that neutralized the infectivity of the K8 strain. This antiserum neutralized HRV strains belonging to VP4 serotypes 1A, 1B, and 2 with efficiency eightfold or lower than that of the homologous virus, indicating that the human rotavirus K8 strain represents a distinct VP4 serotype (P3). In addition, low levels of cross-immunoprecipitation of the K8VP4 and its VP5 and VP8 subunits with hyperimmune antisera to HRV strains representing different VP4 serotype specificities also suggested that the K8 strain possesses a unique VP4 with few epitopes in common with other P-serotype strains.     

一株抗蓝舌病病毒8型VP2蛋白单克隆抗体识别的线性抗原表位的鉴定

为研究本实验室制备的一株抗蓝舌病病毒8型(BTV-8)VP2蛋白的单克隆抗体(MAb)3G11识别的B细胞抗原表位,利用噬菌体肽库展示技术对3G11识别的抗原表位进行筛选并鉴定。经过4轮淘选后挑取蓝斑测序,测序结果经分析后获得KLLAT序列,与BTV-8 VP2蛋白氨基酸序列比对后获得共同的短肽序列为283LL284;合成4种短肽序列:KLLAA、KALAT、KLAAT和KLLAT,与3G11细胞上清和腹水分别进行间接ELISA鉴定,结果表明,短肽KLLAA和KLLAT与3G11细胞上清及腹水具有较强的结合能力;与24种BTV标准阳性血清反应结果表明,这两种短肽都可与BTV-8阳性血清发生特异性反应;序列分析结果可见,该表位的氨基酸序列283LL284在不同来源的BTV-8毒株间保守,确定283LL284为MAb3G11识别抗原表位的关键氨基酸。本研究为建立8型BTV特异性的免疫学检测方法和相关病毒蛋白的功能研究奠定了基础。     

Recombination in circulating enteroviruses

Recombination is a well-known phenomenon for enteroviruses. However, the actual extent of recombination in circulating nonpoliovirus enteroviruses is not known. We have analyzed the phylogenetic relationships in four genome regions, VP1, 2A, 3D, and the 5' nontranslated region (NTR), of 40 enterovirus B strains (coxsackie B viruses and echoviruses) representing 11 serotypes and isolated in 1981 to 2002 in the former Soviet Union states. In the VP1 region, strains of the same serotype expectedly grouped with their prototype strain. However, as early as the 2A region, phylogenetic grouping differed significantly from that in the VP1 region and indicated recombination within the 2A region. Moreover, in the 5' NTR and 3D region, only 1 strain of 40 grouped with its prototype strain. Instead, we observed a major group in both the 5' NTR and the 3D region that united most (in the 5' NTR) or all (in the 3D region) of the strains studied, regardless of the serotype. Subdivision within that major group in the 3D region correlated with the time of virus isolation but not with the serotype. Therefore, we conclude that a majority, if not all, circulating enterovirus B strains are recombinants relative to the prototype strains, isolated mostly in the 1950s. Moreover, the ubiquitous recombination has allowed different regions of the enterovirus genome to evolve independently. Thus, a novel model of enterovirus genetics is proposed: the enterovirus genome is a stable symbiosis of genes, and enterovirus species consist of a finite set of capsid genes responsible for different serotypes and a continuum of nonstructural protein genes that seem to evolve in a relatively independent manner.     

Virucidal Efficacy of Glutaraldehyde against Enteroviruses Is Related to the Location of Lysine Residues in Exposed Structures of the VP1 Capsid Protein

Glutaraldehyde (GTA) is a potent virucidal disinfectant whose exact mode of action against enteroviruses is not understood. Earlier reports showed that GTA reacts preferentially with the VP1 capsid protein of echovirus 25 and poliovirus 1 and that GTA has affinity for exposed lysine residues on proteins. To investigate further the inactivation of enteroviruses by GTA, seven strains were selected on the basis of differences in their overall number and the positions of lysine residues in the amino acid sequences of the VP1 polypeptide. Inactivation kinetics experiments were performed with 0.10% GTA. The viruses grouped into three clusters and exhibited significantly different levels of sensitivity to GTA. The results were analyzed in the light of current knowledge of the three-dimensional structure of enteroviruses and the viral life cycle. The differences observed in sensitivity to GTA were related to the number of lysine residues and their locations in the VP1 protein. The overall findings suggest that the BC and DE loops, which cluster at the fivefold axis of symmetry and are the most exposed on the outer surface of the virions, are primary reactive sites for GTA.     

Virucidal efficacy of glutaraldehyde against enteroviruses is related to the location of lysine residues in exposed structures of the VP1 capsid protein

Glutaraldehyde (GTA) is a potent virucidal disinfectant whose exact mode of action against enteroviruses is not understood. Earlier reports showed that GTA reacts preferentially with the VP1 capsid protein of echovirus 25 and poliovirus 1 and that GTA has affinity for exposed lysine residues on proteins. To investigate further the inactivation of enteroviruses by GTA, seven strains were selected on the basis of differences in their overall number and the positions of lysine residues in the amino acid sequences of the VP1 polypeptide. Inactivation kinetics experiments were performed with 0.10% GTA. The viruses grouped into three clusters and exhibited significantly different levels of sensitivity to GTA. The results were analyzed in the light of current knowledge of the three-dimensional structure of enteroviruses and the viral life cycle. The differences observed in sensitivity to GTA were related to the number of lysine residues and their locations in the VP1 protein. The overall findings suggest that the BC and DE loops, which cluster at the fivefold axis of symmetry and are the most exposed on the outer surface of the virions, are primary reactive sites for GTA.