Application of VP1 protein to develop monoclonal antibody against foot-and-mouth disease virus Asia1 type

In order to develop an anti-FMDV Asia1 type monoclonal antibody (mAb), BABL/c mice were immunized with recombinant FMDV VP1 protein. Three mAbs, 1B8, 5E1 and 5E2, were then further optimized. The result indicated that prepared anti-FMDV Asia1 mAbs had no cross-reactivity with Swine vesicular disease (SVD) and FMDV O, A and C type antigen. Their titers in abdomen liquor were 1:5×10⁶, 1:2×10⁶ and 1:5×10⁶, respectively. 1B8 was found to be of IgG₁ subtype, 5E1 and 5E2 belonged to IgG_2b subtype. In this study, the prepared mAbs are specific for detecting FMDV type Asia1, and is potentially useful for pen-side diagnosis. Foudation items: The National high Technology Research and Development Program of China (No.2006AA10A204); The National science & Technology Pillar Program (No. 2006BAD06A17)     

Infectious foot-and-mouth disease virus derived from a cloned full-length cDNA.

A full-length cDNA plasmid of foot-and-mouth disease virus has been constructed. RNA synthesized in vitro by means of a bacteriophage SP6 promoter inserted in front of the cDNA led to the production of infectious particles upon transfection of BHK-21 cells. These particles were also found to be highly infectious for primary bovine kidney cells as well as for baby mice. The difficulty in cloning the foot-and-mouth disease virus cytidyl tract in Escherichia coli was circumvented by joining two separate cloned parts, representing the S and L fragments of the genome, and, in a second step, inserting a dC-dG homopolymer. Homopolymeric sequences of up to 25 cytidyl residues did not lead to the production of virus. Replicons containing poly(C) tracts long enough to permit virus replication were first established in yeast cells. One of these constructs could also be maintained in E. coli and was used to produce infectious RNA in vitro. The length of the poly(C) sequence in this cDNA plasmid was 32 nucleotides. However, the poly(C) tracts of two recombinant viruses found in transfected BHK-21 cells were 60 and 80 nucleotides long, respectively. Possible mechanisms leading to the enlargement of the poly(C) tract during virus replication are discussed.     

Antigenic structure of the foot-and-mouth disease virus. II. Synthesis of protective peptides from the major immunogenic region of VP1 protein of foot-and-mouth disease virus type A22

Earlier we found that the immune response and antiviral protection from FMDV can be achieved by immunization with uncoupled FMDV peptides. In a search of approaches to animal protection from FMDV A22 strain we prepared a series of peptides corresponding to the putative antigenic determinants. Synthetic 131-149 and 140-149 sequences afforded 50 to 80% protection, both in the free state and conjugated with keyhole limpet hemocyanin. We believe that the 140-149 segment is so far the smallest peptide capable of eliciting specific antiviral protection without conjugation with a high molecular carrier.     

Identification of neutralizing antigenic sites on VP1 and VP2 of type A5 foot-and-mouth disease virus, defined by neutralization-resistant variants.

Five neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (nMAbs) obtained against type A5 Spain-86 foot-and-mouth disease virus were used to generate a series of neutralization-resistant variants. In vitro and in vivo assays showed that the variants were fully refractory to neutralization by the selecting nMAb. On the basis of cross-neutralization and binding assays, two neutralizing antigenic sites have been located on the virus surface; one, located near the C-terminus of VP1, displayed a linear epitope, and the second, located on VP2, displayed two conformational epitopes. Nucleotide sequencing of RNA of the parental and variant capsid protein-coding region P1 has placed the amino acid changes at position 198 of VP1 for the first site and at positions 72 and 79 of VP2 for the related epitopes in the second site. The relative importance of these two sites in the biological properties of foot-and-mouth disease virus is discussed.     

肥大细胞对重组口蹄疫病毒VP1-VP4应答的蛋白质表达谱检测

为揭示肥大细胞抗口蹄疫病毒VP1-VP4蛋白的天然免疫作用,以重组口蹄疫病毒VP1-VP4蛋白刺激小鼠腹腔肥大细胞(Peritoneal mast cells,PMCs),用高通量ELISA芯片检测PMCs的蛋白质表达谱。结果显示,VP1-VP4蛋白刺激的PMCs(VP1-VP4组)表达CCL19、L-selectin、CCL17和TNF-α的水平极显著低于对照组(PMCs)(P0.001),而VP1-VP4蛋白刺激经甘露糖受体(Mannose receptor,MR)抑制剂预处理的PMCs(MR组)表达CCL19、IL-15、IL-9、G-CSF和Galectin-1的水平则极显著高于对照组(P0.01),IL-10表达水平也有显著升高(P0.05)。MR组与VP1-VP4组相比,PMCs表达IL-10、IL-17、CCL20、IL-15、IL-9、L-selectin、CCL17、TNF-α和CCL19的水平极显著升高(P0.01),CCL21和G-CSF的表达也显著高于VP1-VP4组(P0.05)。生物信息学差异表达分析结果显示,与对照组相比,VP1-VP4组PMCs表达的L-selectin和CCL17为下调性差异表达蛋白(Log2(ratio)≤–1)。MR组与VP1-VP4相比,PMCs表达的CCL20、CCL19、L-selectin和IL-15为上调性差异表达蛋白(Log_2(ratio)≥1)。这表明,PMCs可自发分泌CCL19、L-selectin、CCL17和TNF-α,而VP1-VP4则对PMCs的天然免疫功能具有抑制作用。由于阻断MR后PMCs的蛋白质表达水平显著升高,所以VP1-VP4对小鼠PMCs的免疫抑制作用可能是由MR介导的。     

Serotype and VP1 gene sequence of a foot-and-mouth disease virus from Hong Kong (2002)

The nucleotide sequence of the VP1 coding region of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) strain HKN/2002, isolated from a disease outbreak occurring in Hong Kong in February 2002, was determined and compared with the sequences of other FMDVs. The VP1 coding region was 639 nucleotides in length and encoded a protein of 213 amino acid residues. Comparison of the VP1 nucleotide sequence with those of other isolates indicated that HKN/2002 belonged to serotype O. A VP1-based sequence similarity tree of several South-east Asian FMDV-O isolates showed that HKN/2002 was most closely related to FMDV isolates found in Hong Kong from 1991 to 1999 and Taiwan in 1997. Comparison of the amino acid sequence of the major immunogenic region of HKN/2002 with that of the serotype O vaccine strain, O1/Manisa/Turkey/69, reveals significant similarity, indicating that current serotype O vaccines may offer some degree of protection against HKN/2002.     

A T cell epitope in VP1 of foot-and-mouth disease virus is immunodominant for vaccinated cattle.

Synthetic peptides representing regions of the VP1 protein of foot-and-mouth disease virus strain 01 Kaufbeuren were screened for their ability to stimulate proliferation of PBMC from virus vaccinated cattle. Sites were identified at residue 21-40 (peptide FMDV32) and in the region C-terminal to residue 161. Cells responding to FMDV32 were MHC class II-restricted, CD4+ and secreted IL-2. Thus, this region is defined as a Th site. Of 19 virus vaccinated Friesian cattle, 89% (17/19) responded to purified virus while 37% (7/19; 41% of virus responders) also responded to FMDV32 suggesting that this site is immunodominant for the cattle used. Furthermore, immunisation of FMDV32 responder and non-responder cattle with a related peptide, FMDV5 (FMDV32 co-linearly synthesized with the 141-160 VP1 B cell site), induced neutralizing antibody and a virus-specific T cell population in the FMDV32-responder but not the non-responder animals.     

Chimeric polioviruses that include sequences derived from two independent antigenic sites of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) induce neutralizing antibodies against FMDV in guinea pigs.

Five poliovirus recombinants containing sequences corresponding to foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) antigenic sites were constructed. Viable virus was recovered from four of these plasmids, in which the VP1 beta B-beta C loop (antigenic site 1) of poliovirus type 1 Sabin had been replaced with sequences derived from the VP1 beta G-beta H loop (antigenic site 1) of FMDV O1 Kaufbeuren (O1K), chimera O1.1 (residues 141 to 154), chimera O1.2 (residues 147 to 156), and chimera O1.3 (residues 140 to 160) or from the beta B-beta C loop of VP1 (antigenic site 3) in chimera O3.1 (residues 40 to 49). One chimera (O1.3) was neutralized by FMDV-specific polyclonal serum and monoclonal antibodies directed against antigenic site 1 of FMDV. Chimeras O1.3 and O3.1 induced site-specific FMDV-neutralizing antibodies in guinea pigs. Chimera O1.3 was capable of inducing a protective response against FMDV challenge in some guinea pigs.     

Primary structure of the gene for protein VP1 from foot-and-mouth disease virus serotype O1 isolated in the USSR]

The nucleotides sequence has been determined for the viral RNA and some of its cDNAs coding for the major antigenic protein of the epidemic stomatitis O1-194 and O1-1618 VP1 viruses. The expressed microheterogeneity has been registered for the population of the strain O1-194.     

Comparative studies of the capsid precursor polypeptide P1 and the capsid protein VP1 cDNA vectors for DNA vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease virus

BACKGROUND: Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) causes a severe livestock disease, and the virus is an interesting target for virology and vaccine studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Here we evaluated comparatively three different viral antigen-encoding DNA sequences, delivered via two physical means (i.e., gene gun delivery into skin and electroporation delivery into muscle), for naked DNA-mediated vaccination in a mouse system. RESULTS: Both methods gave similar results, demonstrating commonality of the observed DNA vaccine effects. Immunization with a cDNA vector expressing the major viral antigen (VP1) alone routinely failed to induce the production of anti-VP1 or neutralizing antibodies in test mice. As a second approach, the plasmid L-VP1 that produces a transgenic membrane-anchored VP1 protein elicited a strong antibody response, but all test mice failed in the FMDV challenge experiment. In contrast, for mice immunized with the viral capsid precursor protein (P1) cDNA expression vector, both neutralizing antibodies and 80-100% protection in test mice were detected. CONCLUSIONS: This strategy of using the whole capsid precursor protein P1 cDNA for vaccination, intentionally without the use of virus-specific protease or other encoding genes for safety reasons, may thus be employed as a relevant experimental system for induction or upgrading of effective neutralizing antibody response, and as a convenient surrogate test system for DNA vaccination studies of FMDV and presumably other viral diseases.     

Antigenic structure of the foot-and-mouth-disease virus. I. Synthesis of protective peptides from the major immunogenic region of VP1 protein of foot-and-mouth virus type O1K

A series of overlapping peptides with the sequence of the immunodominant region of VP1 protein of FMDV strain O1K have been synthesized by the classical solution method. Peptides were purified by standard methods and used for immunization of guinea pigs. It is shown that the 136-152 and 136-148 segments provide antiviral protection in guinea pigs, both in the free state and conjugated with an immunogenic carrier. Results with uncoupled peptides indicated that these segments may form not only B-, but also T-cell affecting sites.     

Antigenic structure of the foot-and-mouth disease virus. III. Immunogenic properties of synthetic peptides of the sequence of the immunodominant region of VP1 proteins of the O1K and A22 strains of foot-and-mouth virus

Immunogenic and protective properties of uncoupled and KLH-conjugated peptides covering the sequence of the immunodominant region of VP1 proteins of the O1K and A22 strains of foot-and-mouth disease virus have been studied. The uncoupled peptides 136-148 O1K, 136-152 O1K, 131-149 A22 and 140-149 A22 were shown to be immunogenic in guinea pigs and induced 50-100% protection against homologous virus. On the other hand, the A22 specific peptides, in contrast to the O1K peptides, were not immunogenic in rabbits. Immunization of nonresponders with the A22 specific peptides containing the O1K peptide can bypass nonresponsiveness to the A22 peptide in terms of the antibody production. The induced antibodies showed virus-neutralizing activity in vitro.     

Fixation of mutations at the VP1 gene of foot-and-mouth disease virus. Can quasispecies define a transient molecular clock?

The number of nucleotide (nt) substitutions found in the VP1 gene (encoding viral capsid protein) between any two of 16 closely related isolates of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) has been quantified as a function of the time interval between isolations [Villaverde et al., J. Mol. Biol. 204 (1988) 771-776]. One of them (isolate C-S12) includes some replacements found in isolates that preceded it and other replacements found in later isolates. The study has revealed alternating periods of rapid evolution and of relative genetic stability of VP1. During a defined period of acute disease, the rate of fixation of replacements at the VP1 coding segment was 6 x 10(-3) substitutions per nt per year. Only small differences in the rate of evolution were observed between subsegments within the VP1 gene. The observation of a relatively constant rate of evolution during a disease episode was unexpected. We propose that such constancy may be a consequence of random sampling of mutants from the FMDV quasispecies, followed by their amplification in susceptible hosts (to generate a new quasispecies). Successive sampling and amplification events may result in a steady accumulation of mutations.     

Use of substituted and tandem-repeated peptides to probe the relevance of the highly conserved RGD tripeptide in the immune response against foot-and-mouth disease virus

Antigenic site A of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) is an exposed, mobile loop which includes a central, highly conserved Arg-Gly-Asp tripeptide (RGD, VP1 residues 141–143 in serotype C) thought to be part of the cell attachment site. We have analyzed the contribution of RGD to the interaction of site A with antibodies by incorporating selected amino acid replacements at RGD into synthetic peptides representing site A, and analyzing the reactivity of substituted peptides with site A-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Replacement of Arg-141, Gly-142 or Asp-143 by alanine resulted in the loss of one, three and five epitopes, respectively, out of seven epitopes probed. Other replacements resulted in the loss of even larger numbers of epitopes, suggesting that the amino acids of the RGD region are either directly involved in interaction with antibodies or that they exert an important influence on the interaction of surrounding residues with antibodies. Thus, we explored the ability of tandem repeats of the RGDL sequence (corresponding to FMDV C-S8cl) to evoke neutralizing antibodies in rabbits and guinea pigs. Neutralizing activity was generally low but with a broad specificity for different FMDV serotypes and variants. Significant decreases in neutralizing titers were observed with boosting, suggesting a possible suppression of those anti-peptide antibodies which may also be directed to cellular RGD sequences. The results point to an involvement of RGD in the antigenic structure of site A, and open the possibility that broadly neutralizing antibodies might be induced by tandem repeats of the critical, conserved domain.     

Structural and functional implications of a restricted antibody response to a defined antigenic region on the influenza virus hemagglutinin.

A group of hybridoma antibodies that recognize structurally overlapping epitopes on the influenza virus hemagglutinin have been analyzed for the sequence of their immunoglobulin heavy and light chain variable regions. All VH regions derive from the same gene family, and only two Vk genes, from different families, are involved. The repetitive and restricted use of these variable region genes indicates that considerable structural requirements influence the generation of antibodies specific for this region of the hemagglutinin. The degree of amino acid variability which is permissive for interaction with this region suggests that two thirds of the possible replacement mutations may abolish either antibody function or specificity. Analysis of the somatic mutation which occurred in the individual antibodies indicates that the light chains acquired replacement mutations at the rate predicted for random mutation. The heavy chains, however, accumulated a 3-fold excess of replacement mutations over that predicted for random accumulation, correlating with the dominant role they apparently play in determining fine differences in the specificity of these antibodies. The effect of somatic mutation on the clonal amplification and diversification of these B cell lineages is discussed.     

Polyoma virus DNA: Sequence from the late region that specifies the leader sequence for late mRNA and codes for VP2, VP3, and the N-terminus of VP1.

The DNA sequence of part of the late region of the polyoma virus genome is presented. This sequence of 1,348 nucleotide pairs encompasses the leader region for late mRNA and the coding sequence for the two minor capsid proteins VP2 and VP3. The coding sequence for the N-terminus of the major capsid protein overlaps the C-terminus of VP2/VP3 by 32 nucleotide pairs. From the DNA sequence the sizes and sequences of VP2 and VP3 could be predicted. Potential splicing signals for the processing of late mRNA's could be identified. Comparisons are made between the sequence of polyoma virus DNA and corresponding regions of simian virus 40 DNA.     

Inter- and intraclade neutralization of human immunodeficiency virus type 1: genetic clades do not correspond to neutralization serotypes but partially correspond to gp120 antigenic serotypes.

We have studied genetic variation among clades A through E of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) at the levels of antibody binding to gp120 molecules and virus neutralization. We are unable to identify neutralization serotypes that correspond to the genetic clades. Instead, we observe that inter- and intraclade neutralization of primary isolates by HIV-1-positive sera is generally weak and sporadic; some sera show a reasonable degree of neutralization breadth and potency whereas others are relatively sensitive to neutralization, but no consistent pattern was found. However, a few sera were able to neutralize across clades with significant potency, an observation which may have implications for the feasibility of a broadly effective HIV-1 vaccine involving humoral immunity. Serological assays measuring anti-gp120 antibody binding also failed to identify serotypes that correspond precisely to the genetic clades, but some indications of clade-specific binding were observed, notably with sera from clades B and E. A representative protein for each clade (A through E) was selected on the basis of its specificity, defined as high seroreactivity with sera from individuals infected with virus of that clade and lower reactivity with sera from individuals infected with viruses from other clades. The seroreactivity patterns against these five proteins could be used to predict the genotype of the infecting virus with moderate success.     

Structural comparison between retro-inverso and parent peptides: Molecular basis for the biological activity of a retro-inverso analogue of the immunodominant fragment of VP1 coat protein from foot-and-mouth disease virus

Antibodies induced against intact foot-and-mouth disease Virus (FMDV) particles bind to the retro-inverso analogue of fragment 141–159 of the viral coat protein VP1 of FMDV, variant A, equally well as to the parent peptide. A conformational investigation of this retro-inverso peptide was carried out by nmr spectroscopy and restrained molecular modeling in order to identify the structural basis for the antigenic mimicry between these retro-inverso and parent peptides. In 100% trifluoroethanol a well-defined left-handed α-helical region exists from residue 150 to residue 159, which is consistently present in all conformational families obtained from restrained modelling. A less-defined left-handed helical region is present in the tract 144–148, which is also consistent for all structures. Conformational flexibility exists about Gly149, which leads to two types of structures, either bent or linear. In the bent structures, a three-residue inverse tight turn is found, which can be classified as an inverse γ-turn centered at Gly149. The overall structural features of the retro-inverso peptide are shown to be similar to those of the parent L-peptide. The two molecules, however, are roughly mirror images because they share inherently chiral secondary structure elements. By comparing these conformational conclusions with the x-ray structure of the Fab complex of a corresponding VP1 antigenic fragment, a rationale is proposed to account for the topological requirements of specific recognition that are implied by the equivalent antigenic activity of the natural and retro-inverso compounds. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biopoly 41: 569–590, 1997.