狂犬病病毒CVS-11核蛋白B细胞线性抗原表位研究

为阐明狂犬病病毒CVS-11核蛋白B细胞线性抗原表位,本研究通过合成肽模拟B细胞线性抗原表位,采用免疫学方法对生物信息学分析获得的狂犬病病毒CVS-11核蛋白潜在B细胞线性抗原表位进行验证。结果显示,狂犬病病毒CVS-11核蛋白355~369、385~400位氨基酸序列合成肽免疫小鼠血清经间接酶联免疫吸附试验(Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,ELISA)检测抗多肽抗体效价达到1∶12 800以上;抗多肽抗体在免疫印迹试验(Western blot,WB)中识别变性狂犬病病毒CVS-11核蛋白抗原,在间接荧光抗体试验(Indirect fluorescent antibody,IFA)中识别感染BHK-21细胞的狂犬病病毒CVS-11核蛋白抗原。因此,狂犬病病毒CVS-11核蛋白355~369、385~400位氨基酸序列经证实为B细胞线性抗原表位。     

口蹄疫病毒株AF72 VP1的结构构建与B细胞表位预测

以口蹄疫病毒株AF72 RNA为模板,反转录并扩增目的基因,PCR纯化产物与pGEM-T easy载体连接并转化JM109菌株,用凝胶电泳、PCR和EcoRⅠ酶切法鉴定为阳性的重组质粒进行测序。比对测序结果确定AF72 VP1的核苷酸序列,利用同源建模的方法建立AF72 VP1结构蛋白的3D结构,在此基础上,综合亲水性、可塑性、抗原指数以及表面可能性等参数预测AF72 VP1结构蛋白的B细胞抗原表位。结果显示,VP1结构蛋白呈现较规则的空间构象,其中5-11、24-30、43-47、82-87、132-147和196-203氨基酸区段是AF72 VP1结构蛋白可能的B细胞抗原表位区域,该结果将为进一步的FMDV多表位疫苗研究提供很有价值的参考信息。     

一株抗猪流行性腹泻病毒N蛋白单克隆抗体抗原表位的鉴定

PEDV N蛋白为高度保守性蛋白,具有极强的免疫原性,因此在临床诊断中具有重要作用。本文对实验室前期制备的针对N蛋白的单克隆抗体9G11的抗原表位进行精确定位。通过与N蛋白进行免疫印迹反应证明9G11所识别的表位是N蛋白的线性表位。利用NEB十二随机肽库进一步定位9G11核心表位氨基酸,结果显示位于N蛋白75~78位的氨基酸FYYL为9G11所识别的关键氨基酸。对20株PEDV不同亚群代表毒株的对应区域进行同源性分析表明此表位高度保守。确定该抗体识别的抗原表位有助于了解N蛋白的结构与功能,同时也为以表位为基础的快速、准确并具临床应用价值的PEDV诊断方法的建立打下良好基础。     

口蹄疫病毒株AF72 VP3的结构模拟与分析

以口蹄疫病毒株AF72 RNA为模板,反转录并扩增目的基因,PCR纯化产物与pGEM TEasy载体连接并转化JM109菌株,用凝胶电泳、PCR和Spe I/Sph I双酶切法鉴定为阳性的重组质粒进行测序.比对测序结果确定AF72 VP3的核苷酸序列,利用同源建模的方法建立AF72 VP3结构蛋白的3D结构,在此基础上,综合亲水性、可塑性、抗原指数以及表面可能性等参数预测AF72 VP3结构蛋白的B细胞抗原表位.分析表明,口蹄疫病毒VP1、VP2、VP3和VP4在核苷酸水平上的变异率是无差异的(P＞0.05);而它们在氨基酸水平上的变异率差异显著(P＜0.05).该毒株与20株源于GenBank中的VP3氨基酸序列比对发现其保守区主要位于第1～24、24～35、36～42、45～56、65～122、124～172、177～210、211～219位.AF72 VP3结构蛋白三维空间结构可分为A、B和C 3个结构区域,蛋白呈现较规则的空间构象,其中18～23、30～44、60～75、113～124、130～142、193～220氨基酸区段是AF72VP3结构蛋白可能的B细胞抗原表位区域,该结果将为进一步的FMDV多表位疫苗研究提供更有价值的参考信息.     

轮状病毒LLR株VP7抗原表位的预测与验证

在GenBank中检索A组轮状病毒不同血清型的VP7基因信息,在氨基酸水平上与G10血清型LLR株的VP7序列进行序列对比,分析其血清型特异的氨基酸保守序列位点。结合蛋白质二级结构预测理论方案,设计合成3条具有轮状病毒G10血清型特异性氨基酸序列的多肽。通过检测合成肽对轮状病毒免疫血清与LLR抗原的结合抑制,证实三条多肽均具备了LLR表位属性。     

2018–2020年人轮状病毒锦州地方株VP4及VP7基因特征

【背景】人A组轮状病毒(Rotavirus Group A,RVA)是婴幼儿胃肠炎的主要病原体及发展中国家婴幼儿死亡的重要原因,目前无特效药物治疗,疫苗预防是唯一可行的预防感染方法。外衣壳蛋白VP7和VP4是疫苗设计的主要靶点,针对该基因加强RVA地方株分子流行病学监测十分必要。【目的】对锦州地方流行RVA株VP7和VP4基因进行型别鉴定和序列特征分析。【方法】收集锦州地区2018-2020年RVA感染腹泻患儿的粪便标本,提取病毒RNA,通过RT-PCR扩增VP7、VP4基因片段并测序,得到7株RVA VP7和VP4序列。使用在线基因分型工具Rota C V2.0对测序结果进行分型分析。应用BLAST、DNAStar、MEGA X、Bio Edit等生物软件与临床流行株及疫苗株进行系统发育分析及氨基酸序列比对分析。【结果】分型结果表明7株锦州地方株均为G9P[8]型,系统发育分析证实其VP7和VP4基因分别属于G9-Ⅵ和P[8]-3谱系,核苷酸序列相似性分别为99.32%-100%与99.41%-100%。JZ株VP7与疫苗株Rotavac和Rotasiil相比,在抗原表位区7-1a、7-1b、7-2中分别存在4个和3个氨基酸替换。JZ株VP4与疫苗株Rotarix和Rota Teq VP4氨基酸序列相比,发现7个和4个氨基酸替换,位于抗原表位区8-1和8-3。【结论】2018-2020年在辽宁锦州地区检测到7株G9P[8]型RVA株,VP7和VP4序列相似性高于99%,G9P[8]型可能是辽宁省锦州地区2018-2020年婴幼儿轮状病毒腹泻的主要流行基因型之一。与同基因型疫苗株比较,位于JZ株VP7和VP4抗原表位区的氨基酸位点差异对于野毒株免疫逃逸机制的研究具有意义。     

鹅细小病毒结构蛋白B细胞线性抗原表位的鉴定

为了对鹅细小病毒结构蛋白B细胞线性抗原表位进行进一步定位,设计了16个覆盖结构蛋白各抗原表位区的长约30个氨基酸残基的重叠短肽,并进行了融合表达。用攻毒10周龄鹅血清对这16个融合蛋白进行蛋白质印迹分析,检测结果表明,VP蛋白线性抗原表位位于35-81、111-161、423-453、462-491、531-577、616-669和678-732氨基酸区域。     

蓝舌病病毒vp7基因的表达及其产物在c—ELISA中的应用

获得稳定、高效的具有良好抗原性的蓝舌病毒(Bluetongue virus,BTV)vp7基因重组抗原。将BTV编码群特异性抗原VP7的S7基因片段克隆至pMD18-T质粒载体中,构建S7克隆重组质粒,进行核苷酸序列分析。与已报道的多株BTV编码VP7的基因比较后发现,所测定毒株的核苷酸序列与BTV10型的S7基因同源性高达98．7％,推测的氨基酸同源性为99．3％,证实为BTV的S7基因。然后亚克隆插入pBAD/Thio TOPO表达载体,转化LGM194细胞,经抗性培养、PCR、限制性内切酶分析、测序鉴定,筛选获得BTV S7基因片段正向插入、有正确读码框的阳性克隆,成功构建了BTV群特异性抗原VP7的重组表达载体。经L-araboinose诱导表达,可稳定、高效地表达VP7蛋白抗原。SDS-PAGE、ELISA试验表明,表达蛋白为融合蛋白,具有反应原性,分子量约54．5kD,重组蛋白的获得率为1．52mg／g湿菌,其表达产量约占菌体总蛋白的12％左右,相当于93．5mg／L菌液。融合蛋白中含有BTV VP7特异性蛋白抗原,可作为c-ELISA包被抗原,为蓝舌病的免疫血清学诊断试剂的制备和分子生物学研究打下了坚实基础。     

蓝舌病病毒vp7基因的表达及其产物在c-ELISA中的应用

获得稳定、高效的具有良好抗原性的蓝舌病毒(Bluetongue virus,BTV)vp7基因重组抗原.将BTV编码群特异性抗原VP7的S7基因片段克隆至pMD18-T质粒载体中,构建S7克隆重组质粒,进行核苷酸序列分析.与已报道的多株BTV编码VP7的基因比较后发现,所测定毒株的核苷酸序列与BTV10型的S7基因同源性高达98.7%,推测的氨基酸同源性为99.3%,证实为BTV的S7基因.然后亚克隆插入pBAD/ThioTOPO表达载体,转化LGM194细胞,经抗性培养、PCR、限制性内切酶分析、测序鉴定,筛选获得BTV S7基因片段正向插入、有正确读码框的阳性克隆,成功构建了BTV群特异性抗原VP7的重组表达载体.经L-araboinose诱导表达,可稳定、高效地表达VP7蛋白抗原.SDS-PAGE、ELISA试验表明,表达蛋白为融合蛋白,具有反应原性,分子量约54.5kD,重组蛋白的获得率为1.52mg/g湿菌,其表达产量约占菌体总蛋白的12%左右,相当于93.5mg/L菌液.融合蛋白中含有BTV VP7特异性蛋白抗原,可作为c-ELISA包被抗原,为蓝舌病的免疫血清学诊断试剂的制备和分子生物学研究打下了坚实基础.     

A组轮状病毒多个结构蛋白抗原表位的串联表达及其免疫原性的检测

从北京腹泻婴儿粪便提取的轮状病毒(rotavirus,RV)(T114株)的RNA中,克隆到轮状病毒结构蛋白基因vp4,vp6和vp7的全长cDNA,对它们编码的蛋白质序列和可能的抗原表位肽进行了预测,选择了RV主要抗原蛋白VP7、VP6和VP4的4个抗原表位肽,通过人工合成DNA的方式将这些抗原表位肽基因串联融合成一个阅读框RME(rotavirus multipleepitopes,RME)并构建原核表达载体.大肠杆菌表达的RME在ELISA反应中可被RV多克隆抗体识别,纯化的RME蛋白注射免疫小鼠可诱导特异性免疫应答,产生高滴度的同源氨基酸序列特异抗体和人RV抗体,其中针对RME的IgG抗体滴度达到l∶40 000,针对单个抗原表位EV7、EV6和EV4的IgG抗体滴度达l∶10 000～l∶20 000,针对RV Wa株的IgG抗体滴度较低为l∶2 500,但能特异地中和该病毒对MAC145细胞的侵染.上述结果为新型RV基因工程疫苗的研发提供了论据和基础.     

Identification of two novel BTV16-specific B cell epitopes using monoclonal antibodies against the VP2 protein

The VP2 protein of bluetongue virus (BTV) is an important structural protein and is the principal antigen responsible for BTV serotype specificity. In this study, we mapped the reactivity of two BTV16-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and identified two novel serotype-specific linear B cell epitopes on the BTV16 VP2 protein. By screening a series of peptides derived from the BTV16 VP2 protein and expressed as mannose-binding protein fusions, we determined that the linear epitopes recognized by the VP2-specific MAbs 3 G10 and 2B4 were located within the peptides ₃₄EWSGHDVTEIPNRRMF₄₉ and ₅₄₀KNEDPYVKRTVKPIRA₅₅₅, respectively. To define the minimal region required for antibody binding within these peptide regions, a series of progressively shorter peptides were synthesized and evaluated for 3 G10 and 2B4 binding. This work defined the motifs ₃₄EWSGHDVTEIPNRRMF₄₉ and ₅₄₃DPYVKRTVK₅₅₅ as the minimal linear peptides required for 3 G10 and 2B4 binding, respectively. Alignment of amino acid sequences from a number of BTV16 strains isolated from different regions indicated that these two epitopes are highly conserved among BTV16 strains. Furthermore, these two epitopes are not conserved among other BTV serotypes or prototype members of the genus Orbivirus in the family Reoviridae, as shown by sequence alignments. The MAb reagents and linear epitopes defined here provide the basis for the development of epitope-based serotype-specific differential diagnostic tools and may be useful in the design of epitope-based vaccines.     

Distribution of conserved and specific epitopes on the VP8 subunit of rotavirus VP4.

Three cDNA clones comprising the VP8 subunit of the VP4 of human rotavirus strain KU (VP7 serotype G1; VP4 serotype P1A) G1 were constructed. The corresponding encoded peptides were designated according to their locations in the VP8 subunit as A (amino acids 1 to 102), B (amino acids 84 to 180), and C (amino acids 150 to 246 plus amino acids 247 to 251 from VP5). In addition, cDNA clones encoding peptide B of the VP8 subunit of the VP4 gene from human rotavirus strains DS-1 (G2; P1B) and 1076 (G2; P2) were also constructed. These DNA fragments were inserted into plasmid pGEMEX-1 and expressed in Escherichia coli. Western immunoblot analysis using antisera to rotavirus strains KU (P1A), Wa (P1A), DS-1 (P1B), 1076 (P2), and M37 (P2) demonstrated that peptides A and C cross-reacted with heterotypic human rotavirus VP4 antisera, suggesting that these two peptides represent conserved epitopes in the VP8 subunit. In contrast, peptide B appears to be involved in the VP4 serotype and subtype specificities, because it reacted only with the corresponding serotype- and subtype-specific antiserum. Antiserum raised against peptide A, B, or C of strain KU contained a lower level of neutralizing activity than did that induced by the entire VP8 subunit. In addition, the serotype-specific neutralizing activity of anti-KU VP8 serum was ablated after adsorption with the KU VP8 protein but not with a mixture of peptides A, B, and C of strain KU, suggesting that most of the serotype-specific epitopes in the VP8 subunit are conformational and are dependent on the entire amino acid sequence of VP8.     

Tandem copies of a human rotavirus VP8 epitope can induce specific neutralizing antibodies in BALB/c mice

The VP8 subunit protein of human rotavirus (HRV) plays an important role in viral infectivity and neutralization. Recombinant peptide antigens displaying the amino acid sequence M(1)ASLIYRQLL(10), a linear neutralization epitope on the VP8 protein, were constructed and examined for their ability to generate anti-peptide antibodies and HRV-neutralizing antibodies in BALB/c mice. Peptide antigen constructs were expressed in E. coli as fusion proteins with thioredoxin and a universal tetanus toxin T-cell epitope (P2), in order to enhance the anti-peptide immune response. The peptide antigen containing three tandem copies of the VP8 epitope induced significantly higher levels of anti-peptide antibody than only a single copy of the epitope, or the peptide co-administered with the carrier protein and T-cell epitope. Furthermore, the peptide antigen containing three copies of the peptide produced significantly higher virus-neutralization titres, higher than VP8, indicating that a peptide antigen displaying repeating copies of the amino acid region 1-10 of VP8 is a more potent inducer of HRV-neutralizing antibodies than VP8 alone, and may be useful for the production of specific neutralizing antibodies for passive immunotherapy of HRV infection.     

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.     

Identification of VP1 peptides diagnostic of encephalomyocarditis virus from swine

Background

Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) can cause myocarditis, respiratory failure, reproductive failure, and sudden death in pre-weaned piglets, which has been isolated in China. EMCV VP1 protein was one of the most important structural proteins and played an important role in the protective immunity. In this study, 10 monoclonal antibodies (McAbs) against EMCV VP1 were screened and identified.

Results

Epitope mapping results indicated that McAbs (6E11, 7A7, 7C9) specifically recognized the linear epitopes V(2)ENAEK(7), McAbs (1D1, 2A2, 5A1, 5A11, 5G1) recognized the epitope F(19)VAQPVY(25), and McAbs 1G8 and 3A9 recognized P(42)IGAFTVK(49). Protein sequence alignment of VP1 with 16 EMCV isolates indicated that the epitope F(19)VAQPVY(25) was conserved in all the reference strains. The epitopes P(42)IGAFTVK(49) and V(2)ENAEK(7) only had 1 or 2 variable amino acid among the reference strains. The 3D model analysis results showed that these epitopes presented as spheres were shown within the context of the complete particle.

Conclusions

In this study, ten McAbs against EMCV VP1 were developed and three B-cells epitopes (2-7aa, 19-25aa and 42-49aa) were defined in VP1. All the results herein will promote the future investigations into the function of VP1 of EMCV and development of diagnostic methods of EMCV.

     

A poliovirus type 1 neutralization epitope is located within amino acid residues 93 to 104 of viral capsid polypeptide VP1.

Using nuclease Bal31, deletions were generated within the poliovirus type 1 cDNA sequences, coding for capsid polypeptide VP1, within plasmid pCW119. The fusion proteins expressed in Escherichia coli by the deleted plasmids reacted with rabbit immune sera directed against poliovirus capsid polypeptide VP1 (alpha VP1 antibodies). They also reacted with a poliovirus type 1 neutralizing monoclonal antibody C3, but reactivity was lost when the deletion extended up to VP1 amino acids 90-104. Computer analysis of the protein revealed a high local density of hydrophilic amino acid residues in the region of VP1 amino acids 93-103. A peptide representing the sequence of this region was chemically synthesized. Once coupled to keyhole limpet hemocyanin, this peptide was specifically immunoprecipitated by C3 antibodies. The peptide also inhibited the neutralization of poliovirus type 1 by C3 antibodies. We thus conclude that the neutralization epitope recognized by C3 is located within the region of amino acids 93-104 of capsid polypeptide VP1.     

Identification of epitopes recognized by monoclonal antibodies directed against HTLV-I envelope surface glycoprotein using peptide phage display

Summary Phage peptide libraries constitute powerful tools for the mapping of epitopes recognized by monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Using screening of phage displayed random peptide libraries we have characterized the binding epitopes of three mAbs directed against the surface envelope glycoprotein (gp46) of the human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I). Two phage libraries, displaying random heptapeptides with or without flanking cysteine residues, were screened for binding to mAbs 7G5D8, DB4 and 4F5F6. The SSSSTPL consensus sequence isolated from constrained heptapeptide library defines the epitope recognized by DB4 mAb and corresponds to the exact region 249–252 of the virus sequence. The APPMLPH consensus sequence isolated from non constrained heptapeptide library defines the epitope recognized by 7G5D8 mAb and corresponds to the region 187–193 with a single amino acid substitution, methionine to leucine at position 190. The third consensus sequence LYWPHD isolated from constrained heptapeptide library defines the epitope recognized by 4F5F6 mAb. It corresponds to an epitope without direct equivalence with the virus sequence. The data presented here showed that 7G5D8 and DB4 mAbs are raised against linear epitopes while 4F5F6 mAb recognized a continoous topographic epitope.     

Localization of rotavirus VP4 neutralization epitopes involved in antibody-induced conformational changes of virus structure.

We previously characterized three neutralization-positive epitopes (NP1 [1a and 1b], NP2, and NP3) and three neutralization-negative epitopes on the simian rotavirus SA11 VP4 with 13 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Conformational changes occurred as a result of the binding of NP1 MAbs to the SA11 spike VP4, and enhanced binding of all neutralization-negative MAbs was observed when NP1 MAbs bound VP4 in a competitive MAb capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. To further understand the structure and function of VP4, we have continued studies with these MAbs. Electron microscopic and sucrose gradient analyses of SA11-MAb complexes showed that triple-layered viral particles disassembled following treatment with NP1b MAbs 10G6 and 7G6 but not following treatment with NP1a MAb 9F6, NP2 MAb 2G4, and NP3 MAb 23. Virus infectivity was reduced approximately 3 to 5 logs by the NP1b MAbs. These results suggest that NP1b MAb neutralization occurs by a novel mechanism. We selected four neutralization escape mutants of SA11 with these VP4 MAbs and characterized them by using plaque reduction neutralization assays, hemagglutination inhibition assays, and an antigen capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. These analyses support the previous assignment of the NP1a, NP1b, NP2, and NP3 MAbs into separate epitopes and confirmed that the viruses were truly neutralization escape mutants. Nucleotide sequence analyses found 1 amino acid (aa) substitution in VP8* of VP4 at (i) aa 136 for NP1a MAb mutant 9F6R, (ii) aa 180 and 183 for NP1b MAb mutants 7G6R and 10G6R, respectively, and (iii) aa 194 for NP3 MAb mutant 23R. The NP1b MAb mutants showed an unexpected enhanced binding with heterologous nonneutralization MAb to VP7 compared with parental SA11 and the other mutants. Taken together, these results suggest that the NP1b epitope is a critical site for VP4 and VP7 interactions and for virus stability.     

Analysis of neutralizing epitopes on foot-and-mouth disease virus.

For the investigation of the antigenic determinant structure of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against complete virus were characterized by Western blot (immunoblot), enzyme immunoassay, and competition experiments with a synthetic peptide, isolated coat protein VP1, and viral particles as antigens. Two of the four MAbs reacted with each of these antigens, while the other two MAbs recognized only complete viral particles and reacted only very poorly with the peptide. The four MAbs showed different neutralization patterns with a panel of 11 different FMDV strains. cDNA-derived VP1 protein sequences of the different strains were compared to find correlations between the primary structure of the protein and the ability of virus to be neutralized. Based on this analysis, it appears that the first two MAbs recognized overlapping sequential epitopes in the known antigenic site represented by the peptide, whereas the two other MAbs recognized conformational epitopes. These conclusions were supported and extended by structural analyses of FMDV mutants resistant to neutralization by an MAb specific for a conformational epitope. These results demonstrate that no amino acid exchanges had occurred in the primary antigenic site of VP1 but instead in the other coat proteins VP2 and VP3, which by themselves do not induce neutralizing antibodies.