Recombinant feline herpesviruses expressing feline leukemia virus envelope and gag proteins.

We constructed recombinant feline herpesviruses (FHVs) expressing the envelope (env) and gag genes of feline leukemia virus (FeLV). Expression cassettes, utilizing the human cytomegalovirus immediate-early promoter, were inserted within the thymidine kinase gene of FHV. The FeLV env glycoprotein expressed by recombinant FHV was processed and transported to the cell surface much as in FeLV infection, with the exception that proteolytic processing to yield the mature gp70 and p15E proteins was less efficient in the context of herpesvirus infection. Glycosylation of the env protein was not affected; modification continued in the absence of efficient proteolytic processing to generate terminally glycosylated gp85 and gp70 proteins. A recombinant FHV containing the FeLV gag and protease genes expressed both gag and gag-protease precursor proteins. Functional protease was produced which mediated the proteolytic maturation of the FeLV gag proteins as in authentic FeLV infection. Use of these recombinant FHVs as live-virus vaccines may provide insight as to the role of specific retroviral proteins in protective immunity. The current use of conventional attenuated FHV vaccines speaks to the wider potential of recombinant FHVs for vaccination in cats.     

A neutralizing antibody-inducing peptide of the V3 domain of feline immunodeficiency virus envelope glycoprotein does not induce protective immunity.

Specific-pathogen-free cats, immunized with a 22-amino-acid synthetic peptide designated V3.3 and derived from the third variable region of the envelope glycoprotein of the Petaluma isolate of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), developed high antibody titers to the V3.3 peptide and to purified virus, as assayed by enzyme-linked immunoassays, as well as neutralizing antibodies, as assayed by the inhibition of syncytium formation in Crandell feline kidney cells. V3.3-immunized animals and control cats were challenged with FIV and then monitored for 12 months; V3.3 immunization failed to prevent FIV infection, as shown by virus isolation, anti-whole virus and anti-p24 immunoglobulin G antibody responses, and positive PCRs for gag and env gene fragments. Sequence analysis of the V3 region showed no evidence for the emergence of escape mutants that might have contributed to the lack of protection. The sera of the V3.3-hyperimmunized cats and two anti-V3.3 monoclonal antibodies neutralized FIV infectivity for Crandell feline kidney cells at high antibody dilutions but paradoxically failed to completely neutralize FIV infectivity at low dilutions. Moreover, following FIV challenge, V3.3-immunized animals developed a faster and higher antiviral antibody response than control cats. This was probably due to enhanced virus replication, as also suggested by quantitative PCR data.     

Probing sequence variation in the receptor-targeting domain of feline leukemia virus envelope proteins with peptide display libraries

Determinants of cellular tropism and receptor targeting lie within a short peptide in the Vr1 region of the envelope (Env) proteins of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) subgroups A and C. Libraries of FeLV Env proteins with random amino acid substitutions in the peptide were screened for their ability to deliver a marker gene to D17 and AH927 cells. Screening on D17 canine cells yielded D17-specific Env proteins that used the FeLV-C receptor. Screening on AH927 cells yielded Env proteins with a broader host range, with maximal titers on AH927 cells and similar or lower titers on other cells. These Env proteins used an unidentified non-FeLV receptor for entry. The A5 isolate obtained from the AH927 screen was readily concentrated to yield titers of 10(5) on human PC-3 prostate tumor cells. The sequence divergence observed among targeting peptides of library-selected Env proteins was greater than that found in parental FeLV isolates. Substitution analyses of a conserved R in the middle of the targeting peptide held constant during screening indicated that maximal titers were obtained only when R was present in both a D17 selected isolate and an AH927 selected isolate. The ability to isolate Env proteins with unique tropisms dependent on the cells on which the library is screened has direct implications for targeting gene delivery vectors.     

Variable regions A and B in the envelope glycoproteins of feline leukemia virus subgroup B and amphotropic murine leukemia virus interact with discrete receptor domains.

The surface (SU) envelope glycoproteins of feline leukemia virus subgroup B (FeLV-B) and amphotropic murine leukemia virus (A-MLV) are highly related, even in the variable regions VRA and VRB that have been shown to be required for receptor recognition. However, FeLV-B and A-MLV use different sodium-dependent phosphate symporters, Pit1 and Pit2, respectively, as receptors for infection. Pit1 and Pit2 are predicted to have 10 membrane-spanning domains and five extracellular loops. The close relationship of the retroviral envelopes enabled us to generate pseudotype virions carrying chimeric FeLV-B/A-MLV envelope glycoproteins. We found that some of the pseudotype viruses could not use Pit1 or Pit2 proteins but could efficiently utilize specific chimeric Pit1/Pit2 proteins as receptors. By studying Mus dunni tail fibroblasts expressing chimeric Pit1/Pit2 proteins and pseudotype virions carrying chimeric FeLV-B/A-MLV envelopes, we show that FeLV-B and A-MLV VRA and VRB interact in a modular manner with specific receptor domains. Our results suggest that FeLV-B VRA interacts with Pit1 extracellular loops 4 and 5 and that residues Phe-60 and Pro-61 of FeLV-B VRA are essential for receptor choice. However, this interaction is insufficient for infection, and an additional interaction between FeLV-B VRB and Pit1 loop 2 is essential. Similarly, A-MLV infection requires interaction of A-MLV VRA with Pit2 loops 4 and 5 and VRB with Pit2 loop 2, with residues Tyr-60 and Val-61 of A-MLV VRA being critical for receptor recognition. Together, our results suggest that FeLV-B and A-MLV infections require two major discrete interactions between the viral SU envelope glycoproteins and their respective receptors. We propose a common two-step mechanism for interaction between retroviral envelope glycoproteins and cell surface receptors.     

Human immunodeficiency virus neutralizing antibodies recognize several conserved domains on the envelope glycoproteins.

Serum neutralizing antibodies against the human immunodeficiency virus were frequently detected in infected individuals, and low or absent serum neutralizing titers correlated with poor prognosis. Multiple diverse human immunodeficiency virus isolates were found to exhibit similar susceptibility to neutralization by a panel of human seropositive sera, suggesting that neutralizing antibodies are largely directed against conserved viral domains. Furthermore, utilizing antisera raised against a library of synthetic env peptides, four regions which are important in the neutralization process have been identified within both human immunodeficiency virus envelope glycoproteins (gp41 and gp120). Three of these are in conserved domains and should be considered for inclusion in a candidate vaccine.     

Posttranslational modifications distinguish the envelope glycoprotein of the immunodeficiency disease-inducing feline leukemia virus retrovirus.

The envelope glycoprotein (gp70) of a molecularly cloned, replication-defective feline leukemia virus (FeLV-FAIDS clone 61C) carries determinants for induction of fatal immunodeficiency disease, whereas the gp70 of its companion replication-competent, probably parent virus (clone 61E) does not. Immunoprecipitation analysis of the extracellular glycoproteins of 61E and EECC, a replication-competent viral construct composed of the 61C env and 3' long terminal repeat fused to the 61E gag-pol genes, demonstrated that the gp70 of EECC could be distinguished from that of 61E by both feline immune serum and a murine monoclonal antibody. Molecular weights of both the envelope precursor polyprotein (gp80) and the mature extracellular glycoprotein (gp70) of 61E were smaller than the corresponding proteins from the pathogenic EECC. Both the molecular weight disparity and monoclonal antibody discrimination of the two gp80s were abolished by inhibition of envelope protein glycosylation with tunicamycin, whereas the apparent gp70 size differences were resolved by enzymatic removal of N-linked oligosaccharides. Pulse-chase studies in EECC-infected cells demonstrated that processing of gp80 to gp70 was delayed and that this retardation of envelope glycoprotein processing could be simulated in 61E-infected cells by treatment with the glucosidase inhibitor N-methyldeoxynojirimycin, a compound that causes retention of oligosaccharides in the high-mannose form. The resultant 61E gp70 then could be recognized by sera from EECC-immunized cats. The presence of a higher content of sialic acid on the apathogenic 61E gp70 indicated that oligosaccharides of 61E and EECC gp70 were processed differently. These data suggested that the unique biochemical properties which distinguish the envelope glycoproteins of the FeLV-FAIDS variant from its companion apathogenic parent virus were responsible for T-cell cytopathicity and induction of immunodeficiency disease. Further biochemical characterization of these glycoproteins should be useful in understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of immunodeficiency disease induced by retroviruses.     

Feline leukemia virus envelope gp70 of subgroups B and C defined by monoclonal antibodies with cytotoxic and neutralizing functions

Nine murine monoclonal antibodies (MAb) to the envelope proteins of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) are described. Eight MAb are directed to epitopes of the same molecular species of gp70 and the other MAb is directed to the p15E moiety. Six of the gp70 epitopes are discrete; two are closely associated or overlapping. Four anti-gp70 MAb (2 of IgG2A and 2 of IgG2B subclasses) were directly cytotoxic for FeLV-producer lymphoma cells with cat or with rabbit complement (C). Another MAb (IgG2B), which was not cytotoxic alone, specifically and synergistically increased the cytotoxic effects of both IgG2A MAb. Cytotoxic anti-gp70 MAb also had virus-neutralizing capacity; one MAb recognized a determinant common to all FeLV subgroups (A, B, and C), the others recognized gp70 epitopes not present on subgroup A but common to both B and C subgroups. Competitive inhibition of MAb binding was employed to map spatial distributions of the epitopes, and the results fitted a molecule shaped as an incomplete loop. According to the model, epitopes involved with cytotoxic and virus neutralizing antibody functions were closely associated; the region involved is approximately in the center of the molecule, and it contains epitopes that are variably expressed among individual isolates of FeLV derived from different cat lymphoma cell lines.     

Characterization and significance of delayed processing of the feline leukemia virus FeLV-FAIDS envelope glycoprotein.

FeLV-FAIDS, an immunodeficiency-inducing isolate of feline leukemia virus, is composed of a pathogenic but replication-defective genome (molecular clone 61C) and a replication-competent but non-immunodeficiency-inducing variant genome (molecular clone 61E). The chimeric virus EECC, composed of the 5' gag-pol of 61E fused to the env-3' LTR of 61C, also induces immunodeficiency. The 61C (or EECC) gp80 can be distinguished from that of 61E on the basis of antigenic recognition, size, and rate of posttranslational processing. We found that the nascent precursor polypeptides of the two viruses were the same size; however, the 61E gp80 rapidly shifted to a smaller size and was subsequently cleaved to gp70, whereas EECC gp80 maintained its nascent size and was cleaved to gp70 only after a prolonged time. Endo-beta-N-acetyl glucosaminidase H and N-glycanase digestions of newly formed glycoproteins resulted in a similar banding pattern for both viruses, indicating that both contained the same number of oligosaccharide side chains and that all of these were high mannose sugars. The metabolic inhibitors of glycosylation, castanospermine or N-methyldeoxynojirimycin, prevented both the rapid trimming of 61E gp80 and its cleavage to gp70. Treatment with mannosidase inhibitors, however, did not affect 61E gp80 processing or size, suggesting that retention of glucose residues on EECC was responsible for these distinguishing properties of the glycoprotein. The pathological consequence of aberrant viral glycoprotein processing was evaluated in feline 3201 T lymphocytes, which are infectable by both 61E and EECC but are killed only by EECC. As in fibroblasts, the EECC glycoprotein produced in lymphocytes was larger, antigenically distinct, and processed more slowly than was the glycoprotein of 61E. Castanospermine treatment of 61E-infected 3201 T cells, however, not only abrogated the antigenic differences between the 61E and EECC glycoproteins but also resulted in a cytopathic effect. Our results suggest that (i) intracellular accumulation of EECC envelope glycoprotein may occur consequent to retention of glucose residues on carbohydrate side chains and (ii) a strong correlation exists between delayed glycoprotein processing and cytopathicity in FeLV-FAIDS-infected T lymphocytes.     

Localization of the antigenic segment of the tick-borne encephalitis virus envelope protein using monoclonal antibodies]

The largest cyanogen bromide fragment (GP-14,5; coordinates 78-176) of E protein belonging to the envelope of the tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus (Far Eastern subtype, strain Sofjin) interacted with five out of twelve E-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Having compared; efficiencies of some MAbs binding to the antigens of TBE viruses of Far Eastern and West European subtypes and primary structures of analogous peptides of these viruses, we suggested the epitopes of these MAbs to be located in the vicinity of 89 and/or 116-th amino acid residues of E protein. Effect of denaturing agents and reduction followed by carboxymethylation on the protein E antigenic properties was studied.     

Vaccination protects against in vivo-grown feline immunodeficiency virus even in the absence of detectable neutralizing antibodies.

So far, vaccination experiments against feline immunodeficiency virus have used in vitro-grown virus to challenge the vaccinated hosts. In this study, cats were vaccinated with fixed feline immunodeficiency virus-infected cells and challenged with plasma obtained from cats infected with the homologous virus diluted to contain 10 cat 50% infectious doses. As judged by virus culture, PCRs, and serological analyses performed over an 18-month period after the challenge, all of the vaccinated cats were clearly protected. Interestingly, prior to challenge most vaccines lacked antibodies capable of neutralizing a fresh isolate of the homologous virus.     

Identification of a neutralization epitope on the envelope gp46 antigen of human T cell leukemia virus type I and induction of neutralizing antibody by peptide immunization.

We have generated a number of mAb against various epitopes on the external envelope glycoprotein, gp46, of human T cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) from a WKA rat immunized with a recombinant vaccinia virus containing the HTLV-I env gene. Among these mAb, one group of mAb, represented by a mAb designated LAT-27, could neutralize the infectivity of HTLV-I, as determined by a HTLV-I-mediated cell fusion inhibition assay. LAT-27 also interfered with transformation of normal T lymphocytes by HTLV-I in vitro. An antibody-binding assay using overlapping synthetic oligopeptides showed that LAT-27 bound specifically to 10-mer peptides that contained the gp46 amino acid sequence 191-196 (Leu-Pro-His-Ser-Asn-Leu). Antibodies from HTLV-I+ humans interfered with the binding of LAT-27 to gp46 Ag. Sera from rabbits immunized with a LAT-27-reactive peptide, 190-199, conjugated with OVA, but not sera from OVA-immunized rabbits, reacted with gp46 Ag and neutralized infectivity of HTLV-I. These results show that the HTLV-I neutralization epitope recognized by LAT-27 locates to the gp46 amino acids 191-196, and that immunization with a peptide containing the LAT-27 epitope can elicit an HTLV-I neutralizing antibody response.     

Nucleotide sequences of the envelope genes of two isolates of feline leukemia virus subgroup B

We determined the nucleotide sequences of the envelope genes of the Snyder-Theilen and Gardner-Arnstein isolates of feline leukemia virus subgroup B. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences of the envelope gene products revealed regions of sequence divergence, which we relate to structural features of the viral protein. We also examined nucleotide sequences within the long terminal repeats of these related isolates of feline leukemia virus subgroup B.     

Nucleotide sequence of the gag gene and gag-pol junction of feline leukemia virus.

The nucleotide sequence of the gag gene of feline leukemia virus and its flanking sequences were determined and compared with the corresponding sequences of two strains of feline sarcoma virus and with that of the Moloney strain of murine leukemia virus. A high degree of nucleotide sequence homology between the feline leukemia virus and murine leukemia virus gag genes was observed, suggesting that retroviruses of domestic cats and laboratory mice have a common, proximal evolutionary progenitor. The predicted structure of the complete feline leukemia virus gag gene precursor suggests that the translation of nonglycosylated and glycosylated gag gene polypeptides is initiated at two different AUG codons. These initiator codons fall in the same reading frame and are separated by a 222-base-pair segment which encodes an amino terminal signal peptide. The nucleotide sequence predicts the order of amino acids in each of the individual gag-coded proteins (p15, p12, p30, p10), all of which derive from the gag gene precursor. Stable stem-and-loop secondary structures are proposed for two regions of viral RNA. The first falls within sequences at the 5' end of the viral genome, together with adjacent palindromic sequences which may play a role in dimer linkage of RNA subunits. The second includes coding sequences at the gag-pol junction and is proposed to be involved in translation of the pol gene product. Sequence analysis of the latter region shows that the gag and pol genes are translated in different reading frames. Classical consensus splice donor and acceptor sequences could not be localized to regions which would permit synthesis of the expected gag-pol precursor protein. Alternatively, we suggest that the pol gene product (RNA-dependent DNA polymerase) could be translated by a frameshift suppressing mechanism which could involve cleavage modification of stems and loops in a manner similar to that observed in tRNA processing.     

Localization of the intrachain disulfide bonds of the envelope glycoprotein 71 from Friend murine leukemia virus.

Envelope glycoprotein 71 from Friend murine leukemia virus was purified to homogeneity by reversed-phase HPLC. It could be shown that all 20 cysteine residues of the molecule are linked by disulfide bonds. After complete tryptic digestion, peptides containing cystine were identified by comparison of the reversed-phase HPLC profile of the digest with that of a reduced aliquot which had been subjected to affinity chromatography on thiol-Sepharose. The locations of the 10 disulfide bonds were determined by isolation, further digestion and analysis of peptides containing cystine. The first cysteine residue of the sequence (Cys46) was shown to be coupled to the sixth (Cys98), leading to a large loop containing four additional cysteine residues. Computer model building and energy calculations led to the assignment of Cys72 to Cys87 and Cys73 to Cys83. The following four cysteine residues of the sequence also constitute a structural unit, with Cys121 bonded to Cys141 and Cys133 to Cys146, and the last two cysteine residues in the amino-terminal domain of glycoprotein 71 form a small loop (Cys178 to Cys184). The first two cysteine residues of the carboxy-terminal domain produce a very small hydrophobic loop (Cys312-Cys315). Cys361 is bound to Cys373, Cys342 to Cys396 and Cys403 to Cys416. A model for the folding pattern of the viral glycoprotein is proposed.     

Mapping epitopes of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies using phage random peptide libraries

Identification of protective determinants from microbial proteins is a necessary step in the rational design of subunit vaccines. We have previously used a synthetic peptide scan (Pepscan) assay to map a panel of eight neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAb; designated as C1.1 to C1.8) to a common motif sequence from Chlamydia trachomatis. In the present study, five of the eight mAbs were used to screen phage random peptide libraries. mAbs C1.1 and C1.3 selected a motif sequence of G-L-X-N-D from a pIII-based phage random peptide library and a motif sequence of G-X-X-N-D from a pVIII-based random peptide library while mAbs C1.6 to C1.8 failed to select recognizable motifs from either of the phage libraries. However, C1.6 to C1.8 bound to the same motif sequence displayed on phage when the appropriate conformational constraints were imposed onto the motif sequence. Thus the specificity of the mAbs identified on Pepscan assays correlates with the mAbs’ dependence on local epitope constraints displayed on the phage surface. Received 12 August 1996/ Accepted in revised form 03 November 1996     

Cell fusion induced by the murine leukemia virus envelope glycoprotein.

To determine whether ecotropic murine leukemia virus (MuLV) envelope glycoproteins are sufficient to cause cell-to-cell fusion when expressed in the absence of virus production, we used an ecotropic MuLV, AKV, to construct env expression vectors that lack the gag and pol genes. The rat cell line XC, which undergoes cell-to-cell fusion upon infection with ecotropic MuLV, was transfected with wild-type env expression vectors, and high levels of syncytium formation resulted. Transfection of the murine cell line NIH 3T3 with expression vectors containing the wild-type or mutated env region did not result in syncytium formation. Immunoprecipitation analysis of the envelope glycoproteins expressed in NIH 3T3 and XC cells showed that the mature surface glycoprotein expressed in XC cells was of a much lower apparent molecular weight than that expressed in NIH 3T3 cells. Further characterization showed that most if not all of this difference was the result of differences in glycosylation. Finally, site-directed mutagenesis was used to introduce several conservative and nonconservative changes into the amino-terminal region of the transmembrane protein. Analysis of the effect of these mutations confirmed that this region is a fusion domain.