Study on the porcinophilic foot-and-mouth disease virus I. production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against VP1

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) reported here were produced against the porcinophilic foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) that caused the devastating swine disease on 1997 in Taiwan. A panel (25) of MAbs were found to react with VP1 of O/Taiwan/97 (O/97) by ELISA with various potencies. The biological identities of these VP1 reacting MAbs, such as neutralization activity, isotype and capability to distinguish between two serotype O FMDVs, O/97 and O/Taiwan/KM1/99 (O/99), were further analyzed. Eleven out of the total eighteen O/97 neutralizing MAbs were able to neutralize heterologous O/99. Eight O/97 neutralizing and five non-neutralizing MAbs could differentiate two serotype O FMDVs by immunofluorescence assay (IFA) implied that these thirteen MAbs recognized O/97 specific epitope(s). Furthermore, reactivities of the VP1 reacting MAbs with a 29 amino acids synthetic peptide (P29) representing the betaG-betaH loop of VP1 were analyzed by ELISA and fourteen were found positive. MAb clone Q10E-3 reacting strongest with VP1 and P29, neutralizing both but not differentiating two serotype O viruses suggested that the antibody binding site might involve the RGD motif and its C terminal conserved region on betaG-betaH loop. MAbs with diverse characters presented in this study were the first raised against porcinophilic FMDV. The complete set of MAbs may be used for further studies of vaccine, diagnostic methods, prophylaxis, etiological and immunological researches on FMDV.     

Screening and identification of B cell epitopes of structural proteins of foot-and-mouth disease virus serotype Asia1

The objective of this study was to screen and identify the B cell epitopes of structural proteins of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) serotype Asia1. The complete amino acid sequence of all the four structural proteins (P1 region) was analyzed using the DNAStar Protean system. Seventeen peptides were predicted and selected as potential B cell epitopes. The potential B cell epitope genes were cloned into the pGEX-6P-1 plasmid, then expressed and purified. The resulting 17 glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion peptides were detected by Western blot and ELISA for evaluation of their antigenicity. Six of the 17 fusion peptides were identified successfully by sera from rabbits immunized with the purified P1 polyprotein of FMDV type Asia1. The six fusion proteins were epi1-1 (VP1:₁TTTTGESADPVT₁₂), epi1-2 (VP1:₁₇NYGGETQTARRLH₂₉), epi1-6 (VP1:₁₉₄TTQDRRKQEIIAPEKQTL₂₁₁), epi2-2 (VP2:₄₀EDAVSGPNTSG₅₀), epi3-1 (VP3:₂₆YGKVSNPPRTSFPG₃₉), and epi4-2 (VP4:₃₀YQNSMDTQLGDN₄₁). The results of this study lay a foundation for further study of the structure and function of the structural proteins and may aid in the design of an epitope vaccine against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) type Asia1. This study has also shown that the bioinformatics method, in combination with molecular biology methods can be used to map the B cell epitopes on viral proteins.     

猪口蹄疫病毒多抗原表位的原核表达与纯化

利用限制性酶切从重组质粒pShuttle-CMV-VP中得到猪O型口蹄疫病毒VP1(21-60)-(141-160)-(200-213)位氨基酸的基因。将此多抗原表位基因克隆至原核高效表达载体pET43.1 a(+),在E.coliBL21中用IPTG诱导表达了含有猪口蹄疫病毒多抗原表位的融合蛋白,并用镍柱亲和层析法获得了纯化蛋白。W estern-b lot结果表明融合蛋白可被猪O型口蹄疫病毒标准阳性血清所识别,从而为进一步研究FMDV多表位抗原的免疫特性和诊断方法奠定了基础。     

云南边境O型口蹄疫监测及病毒VP1基因序列分析

口蹄疫是由口蹄疫病毒引起的主要侵袭偶蹄动物的一种急性热性高度接触性传染病。口蹄疫病毒为微RNA病毒科口蹄疫病毒属成员,存在7个不同血清型,病毒VP1蛋白抗原性差异是病毒血清型划分依据,而其编码基因(1D)核苷酸序列差异是同型病毒拓扑型(Topotype)或基因型鉴别依据。采用O/A/C/Asia-1多重RT-PCR技术,对2006年自云南边境地区采集的120份动物组织样品,进行口蹄疫病原监测,检出O型口蹄疫病毒阳性样品15份。对阳性样品中病毒VP1基因全序列进行扩增、纯化后,克隆至pMD18-T载体测序,并与已知代表性毒株进行比对及系统发育分析。结果发现:云南边境O型口蹄疫病毒阳性样品VP1基因核苷酸序列同源性介于77.3%~98.7%,可划分为3个不同的拓扑型或基因型:中东-南亚型(ME-SA)或泛亚型(PAN-Asia)、古典中国型(Cathay)、东南亚型(SEA)。部分样品VP1蛋白表位43位、154位关键性氨基酸位点存在变异。     

Identification of a novel foot-and-mouth disease virus specific T-cell epitope with immunodominant characteristics in cattle with MHC serotype A31

To identify foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) specific T-cell epitopes within the entire polyprotein sequence of the virus, 442 overlapping pentadecapeptides were tested in proliferation assays using lymphocytes from cattle experimentally infected with FMDV. Four months post-infection cells from all investigated animals (n = 4) responded by proliferation and interferon-gamma production to a peptide located on the structural protein 1D (VP1), amino acid residues 66-80. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) serotyping of the investigated cattle indicated that all animals shared the MHC serotype A31 which comprises the class II allele DRB3 0701. This may explain the common recognition of this newly discovered epitope. Responses to other peptides could only be observed in one animal and rapidly declined during the time course of the study. These observations point to an immunodominant role of this epitope located on the protein 1D in cattle with MHC serotype A31.     

Identification of a conformational epitope on the VP1 G-H Loop of type Asia1 foot-and-mouth disease virus defined by a protective monoclonal antibody

Although neutralizing antigenic sites of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) can be defined by selection of monoclonal antibody (MAb) escape mutants, no conformational neutralizing epitope on the major antigenic site located on the G-H loop of type Asia1 FMDV has been precisely mapped. In this study, we generated a potent neutralizing MAb 3E11, which recognized a conformation-dependent epitope and neutralized FMDV Asia1/YS/CHA/05 in vitro. Importantly, a dose of 5.5 NT(50) of the MAb 3E11 completely protected suckling mice from a dose of 10 LD(50) of homologous virus challenge in vivo. Through a 12-mer random peptide phage display, synthetic peptide analysis and constructing a series of FMDV Asia1/YS/CHA/05 mutants using reverse genetic system, we finely mapped the neutralizing epitope as the 12-amino acid peptide (141)SXRGXLXXLXRR(152). These results provide additional insights into the virus-MAb interaction at the amino acid level and may help in the development of an epitope-based Asia1 FMDV vaccine.     

O型口蹄疫病毒结构蛋白VP1的原核表达与抗原性分析

研究分析了O型口蹄疫病毒(FMDV)结构蛋白VP1与当前猪FMDV疫苗血清的免疫反应性.将VP1基因克隆至原核表达载体pET32c,并在大肠埃希菌BL21中得到了表达,Western blot分析表明该重组蛋白与豚鼠O型FMDV标准阳性血清具有良好免疫反应性.目的蛋白经纯化后用ELISA分析其与猪疫苗血清的免疫反应性,结果显示该重组VP1蛋白(rVP1)只能与部分O型FMDV疫苗血清反应.推测当前使用的不同O型FMDV疫苗毒株在VP1重要中和抗原位点G-H环(134 aa～158 aa)与C末端(200 aa～213 aa)存在较大差异.     

南非Ⅱ型口蹄疫病毒抗原表位的筛选及抗原性分析

目前,我国南非Ⅱ型(SATⅡ)口蹄疫病毒(FMDV)的防控形势十分严峻,为了防止SATⅡ型FMD的跨境传入,迫切需要建立其特异的检测方法。本研究以SATⅡ型FMDV结构蛋白氨基酸序列为依据,利用分子生物学软件分析了FMDV结构蛋白VP1~VP3上可能的抗原表位,并人工合成了8条表位多肽。通过采用SATⅡ型FM-DV阳性血清进行ELISA反应,检测其反应原性;通过采用与载体蛋白偶联的合成肽免疫小鼠,测定小鼠血清中抗体效价,检测合成肽的免疫原性。结果表明,合成的8条多肽均能与SATⅡ型FMDV阳性血清结合,其中的6条多肽免疫小鼠后能产生针对多肽的抗体。本研究为利用串联表位为抗原检测SATⅡ型FMDV抗体方法的建立奠定了基础。     

Construction of a multiple targeting RNAi plasmid that inhibits target gene expression and FMDV replication in BHK-21 cells and suckling mice

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious disease that afflicts cloven-hoofed animals. The etiological agent of FMD is foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). The VP1 gene of FMDV is essential during the life cycle of the virus and plays a key role in the attachment of the virus to susceptible cells. We constructed a plasmid, pCWN11, that expresses siRNAs multiple-targeting the VP1 genes of FMDV. We evaluated the gene silencing efficiency of the plasmid using an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) reporter system in BHK-21 cells. The antiviral potential of the plasmid in BHK-21 cells and suckling mice were investigated. The results indicate that cotransfection of pCWN11 with any one of three serotypes VP1-EGFP plasmids resulted in a reduction in the EGFP signal relative to the control. Moreover, the antiviral potential induced by pCWN11 was evident during challenge with one FMDV isolate of either serotype O (HKN/2002) or serotype Asia I (YNBS/58), and the inhibition extended to almost 40 h. Furthermore, subcutaneous injection of pCWN11 in the neck made suckling mice significantly less susceptible to FMDV serotype O and Asia I.     

Protection of cattle and swine against foot-and-mouth disease, using biosynthetic peptide vaccines

A single dose of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus protein 1 (VP1) peptide, expressed in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein with 190 amino acids (AA) of the LE' protein of the tryptophan operon of E coli, elicited an immune response in steers sufficient to withstand the challenge of exposure to animals with acute FMD. The 58-micrograms dose of viral peptide, composed of a segment of the VP1 from the A12 strain (A12) of FMD virus (FMDV; A12-32dimer) in a tandem repeat configuration of AA137 through 168 and emulsified with oil adjuvant, elicited a serologic response in cattle equivalent to that obtained using conventional whole virus vaccines. Two groups of swine were vaccinated, 1 with the A12-32dimer as used in cattle and 1 with AA131 through 157 from VP1 of the A24 strain (A24) of FMDV (A24-peptide), expressed in the same system as A12-32dimer, but as a single copy per molecule. In swine, the 58-micrograms dose of the A12-32dimer repeated at 28 days was an effective immunogen; all swine were protected against A12 and, in addition, the vaccine protected 50% of the swine against A24. The 29-micrograms dose of A24-peptide, administered according to the same schedule, elicited protection against A24 in 50% of the vaccinates and, in addition, protected 25% of those vaccinates against A12. The serologic response elicited by A12-32dimer against A24 virus was considerably greater than the response elicited by A24-peptide against A12 virus. The evidence of multiple immunogenic epitopes between AA131 and AA168 was evaluated.     

3株O型FMDV VP1基因的克隆与序列分析

以3株国内分离的O型口蹄疫病毒(FMDV)(分别命名F1、F2、F3)为研究目标,根据GenBank中注册的FMDV VP1基因的序列设计2对引物,采用RT-PCR方法成功地扩增出含有VP1全基因的cD-NA片段,将3个cDNA片段分别克隆到pMD20-T Vector载体中进行序列测定,得到3个毒株VP1基因的序列。结果表明,3个O型FMDV毒株VP1基因cDNA长度均为639 bp,编码213个氨基酸。3株O型毒株彼此之间的核苷酸序列同源性在92.3%~94.2%之间,推导氨基酸序列同源性在97.2%~98.6%之间。与3个毒株同源性高的主要为香港和台湾的毒株。     

口蹄疫病毒分型诊断芯片探针设计初报

为建立口蹄疫病毒(Foot-and-mouth disease virus,FMDV)不同血清型与基因型的基因芯片检测方法,设计针对O型8个基因型、A型3个基因型和亚洲1型的特异性探针。从美国GenBank与英国世界口蹄疫参考实验室基因库下载了O型、A型和亚洲1型FMDV的VP1基因序列547条。对每一血清型序列用DNA Star软件ClastalW程序进行多重比对,做系统发育分析并进行基因分型。用生物学软件BioSun 2.0建立基因型数据库,设计每一基因型的特异性探针。共设计出104条候选探针,通过芯片试验筛选出12条特异性探针。以各型特异性探针所对应的靶序列模板做10倍系列稀释进行PCR扩增,扩增产物与探针杂交,验证各探针的灵敏度。对O型SEA、Euro-SA、ME-SA、WA 4个基因型的各条探针的灵敏度进行了检验,结果这些探针能够检测到102数量级拷贝数的阳性靶标。     

Production and characterization of two serotype independent monoclonal antibodies against foot-and-mouth disease virus

Two foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were produced from mice immunized with either FMDV serotype A, subunit (12S) or FMDV serotype O, whole virus (140S). Both mAbs (F1412SA and F21140SO) recognized all seven serotypes of FMDV in a double antibody sandwich (DAS) ELISA, suggesting that the binding epitopes of the two mAbs are conserved between serotypes. These mAbs are IgG1 isotype and contain kappa light chains. In order to define the mAb binding epitopes, the reactivity of these mAbs against trypsin-treated and denatured FMDV were examined using an indirect ELISA. The binding site of the mAb, F1412SA is trypsin sensitive and the epitope is linear. Both ELISA and Western blot results suggested that the polypeptide VP2 contributed to the immunodominant site. This mAb showed reactivity to VP2 peptide (DKKTEETTILEDRIL). The mAb, F21140SO, recognized an epitope which is trypsin resistant and discontinuous. This mAb binding to FMDV is dependent on conformational structures of intact viral (140S) or subunit (12S) particle, since it failed to recognize any viral protein in Western blot. This conformational and highly conserved epitope is the first identified epitope among all seven FMDV serotypes. Because the use of mAbs increases the specificity, accuracy and efficiency of diagnostic tests compared to polyclonal antisera, these two mAbs with different specificities are suitable for type-independent diagnosis of FMDV, such as DAS ELISA, or could be adapted to immuno-chromatographic or flow-through rapid test.     

Antigenic relationships of foot-and-mouth disease virus serotype Asia-1 isolates demonstrated by monoclonal antibodies.

A panel (26) of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) was elicited against three distinct isolates of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) serotype Asia-1. Each MAb was characterized according to the location of its epitope: Class I, restricted to the intact virion (140S); Class II, restricted to 140S and the virion protein subunit (12Sps); Class III, available on 140S, 12Sps and virus protein 1; Class IV, restricted to 12Sps. In addition, the MAbs were further categorized by isotype, neutralization of viral infectivity, capacity to bind in radioimmunoassay and precipitation in the Ouchterlony reaction. Neutralization of FMDV infectivity by a MAb of the IgA isotype is reported for the first time. A minimum of seven distinct neutralization epitopes were described on FMDV Asia-1. Some of the neutralizing MAbs bound FMDVs in addition to those that they neutralized. The MAbs defined epitopes common to FMDV serotypes Asia-1, A, O1 and C but neutralizing capacity was restricted to serotype Asia-1. Class IV MAbs defined epitopes highly conserved throughout the FMDV serotypes. Identification of FMDV neutralization epitopes makes possible the direct selection of optimal FMDV strains for vaccine fabrication. In addition, these data are crucial to the design of future synthetic vaccines.     

Sequence analysis of the non-structural 3A and 3C protein-coding regions of foot-and-mouth disease virus serotype Asia1 field isolates from an endemic country

A total of 18 foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) serotype Asia1 field isolates belonging to two different lineages (including the divergent group) as delineated earlier in VP1-based phylogeny were sequenced in the non-structural 3A and 3C protein-coding regions. The phylogenetic trees representing the regions coding for the non-structural proteins were very similar to that of the structural VP1 protein-coding region. Phylogenetic comparison at 3C region revealed clustering of Asia1 viruses with the isolates of serotypes O, A and C in the previously identified clade. Comparison of amino acid sequences identified lineage-specific signature residues in both the non-structural proteins. Overall analysis of the amino acid substitutions revealed that the 3A coding region was more prone to amino acid alterations than 3C region.     

口蹄疫病毒RT-PCR检测与血清型鉴别

针对编码非结构蛋白的3D基因合成一对引物进行口蹄疫病毒RT-PCR扩增,不同血清型病毒的RNA样本均显现一条457bp的目的带,与预期设计的长度相符合。在敏感性试验中,O型、A型和AsiaⅠ型病毒的最小RNA检出量分别为0.8ng、8ng和8ng。根据GenBank发表的口蹄疫病毒VP1和2A基因序列,采用多重RT-PCR鉴别口蹄疫病毒血清型,O型、A型和AsiaⅠ型病毒的特异性扩增片段分别为200bp、340bp和500bp。对9份乳鼠感染病料进行检测,确诊为O血清型口蹄疫病毒感染。     

Induction of protective immune response against both PPRV and FMDV by a novel recombinant PPRV expressing FMDV VP1

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) are both highly contagious diseases of small domestic and wild ruminants caused by the PPR virus (PPRV) and the FMD virus (FMDV). In this study, a recombinant PPRV expressing the FMDV VP1 gene (rPPRV/VP1) was generated and FMDV VP1 expression did not impair replication of the recombinant virus in vitro and immunogenicity in inducing neutralizing antibody against PPR in goats. Vaccination with one dose of rPPRV/VP1 induced FMDV neutralizing antibody in goats and protected them from challenge with virulent FMDV. Our results suggest that the recombinant PPRV expressing the FMDV VP1 protein is a potential dual live vectored vaccine against PPRV and FMDV.     

Antigenic variation among foot-and-mouth disease virus type A field isolates of 1997-1999 from Iran

The sequences of the antigenically relevant capsid proteins VP1-3 of 10 isolates obtained during an epizootic of serotype A foot-and-mouth disease virus in Iran, and collected within two and a half years, were found to be highly similar. However, each isolate differed by at least one amino acid from all others. This prompted us to analyze the immunological reactivity of the isolates. To this end, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against one isolate were generated and characterized with regard to neutralizing activity and reactivity with trypsinized virus. These mAbs as well as others raised against A22 virus were used for antigen profiling. This distinguished four antigenic conditions among the isolates and 16 reactivities among the mAbs. These findings, together with the observed sequence differences indicated the location of several epitopes. Many mAbs recognized the minor antigenic sites on VP2 and 3 and some the major site, the GH-loop of VP1. One epitope was composed of residues of the capsid proteins VP1 and 2.     

AsiaⅠ型口蹄疫病毒VP1基因在昆虫细胞/杆状病毒中的表达

利用杆状病毒表达系统对AsiaⅠ型口蹄疫病毒(foot-and-mouth disease virus,FMDV)VP1基因在Sf9昆虫细胞中进行表达,为研究AsiaⅠ型FMDV VP1蛋白功能及建立AsiaⅠ型FMDV血清学诊断方法奠定基础。采用PCR方法从pGEM-T-Easy-AsiaⅠ型VP1质粒中扩增VP1基因,将其插入杆状病毒转座载体pFastBacHTA,构建的重组质粒pFastBacHTA-VP1再转入DH10Bac感受态细胞,经三重抗性与蓝白斑筛选,获得杆状病毒重组质粒Bacmid-VP 1,然后转染Sf9昆虫细胞。PCR鉴定证实VP1基因正确地插入到Bacmid中,成功构建了杆状病毒重组质粒Bacmid-VP1,SDS-PAGE和Western-blotting检测结果表明,VP1基因在Sf9昆虫细胞中表达出约26.5 ku的VP1蛋白。将可溶性表达的融合蛋白用Ni-NTA亲和层析方法进行纯化,通过ELISA分析,能特异性地检测出AsiaⅠ型口蹄疫病毒阳性血清。AsiaⅠ型FMDV VP1基因在杆状病毒表达系统中的成功表达为AsiaⅠ型FMDV VP1蛋白的抗原性及血清学抗体水平检测研究奠定了基础。     

Modulation of T-cell reactivity to synthetic peptide analogues of foot-and-mouth disease virus in sheep by amino acid substitutions.

The ability of synthetic peptide analogues of foot-and-mouth disease virus VP1 capsid protein to induce T-cell proliferation in vitro following immunization of sheep with the uncoupled peptides was assessed. Elevated T-cell responses were obtained to a 21-residue peptide containing VP1 residues 141-158, and a 40-residue peptide containing residues 200-213 and 141-158 linked via a diproline-serine spacer. In contrast, no significant T-cell response was obtained with a 19-residue peptide containing residues 200-213 alone. In an attempt to engineer T-cell reactivity to this peptide, a sequence motif found in many peptides recognized by human or mouse T-cells was introduced by amino acid substitution. Substitution of a glycine or an aspartic acid for an alanine at position 207 in the 19-residue peptide resulted in the introduction of two such motifs running consecutively. Immunization of sheep with these peptides resulted in significant T-cell proliferative responses and elevated antibody responses. Analysis of further sequence variants showed that T-cell responsiveness was maintained with peptides containing single amino acid changes within these motifs, provided position 207 was glycine. The results thus suggest that increased T-cell reactivity, might be engineered via sequence manipulation of the 200-213 component of the 40-residue synthetic peptide. Such an additional T-cell epitope in the 40-residue peptide could potentially result in superior neutralizing antibody responses directed against the major epitope in residues 141-160 of VP1.