Comparison of 11 herpesvirus isolates from tortoises using partial sequences from three conserved genes

Herpesviruses are an important cause of epidemic disease in tortoises. There are at least two serologically distinct herpesviruses capable of infecting tortoises. Methods for the diagnosis of herpesvirus infections in tortoises include virus isolation and a number of different PCRs. We have compared 11 virus isolates collected from various species in different countries over several years using sequences from three different viral genes. During this study we used four different PCR protocols described for the diagnosis of herpesvirus infections in tortoises. The protocols used included two based on portions of the DNA polymerase gene, one targeting the UL5 homologue, and one targeting the UL39 homologue. Comparison of the methods showed that the tortoise herpesvirus-specific protocols were all serotype specific. Sequences of the obtained amplicons were compared with one another and with sequences of herpesviruses available in GenBank. The sequence alignments showed that the tortoise herpesviruses were most closely related to members of the subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae. They also showed that the tortoise isolates could be clearly divided into two genogroups.     

牛疱疹病毒1型主要囊膜糖蛋白研究进展

牛疱疹病毒(BHV-1)属于α疱疹病毒亚科的DNA病毒,可引起牛高热、上呼吸道感染和母牛流产。该病毒能在牛的感觉神经节内建立潜伏感染,因此,对于该病毒感染的预防和治疗较为困难。BHV-1除了引起初始感染外,还可通过免疫抑制引起动物继发感染,导致动物死亡。研究发现,病毒入侵牛机体时,病毒囊膜糖蛋白在病毒与细胞间相互作用的过程中发挥了重要作用。论文对牛疱疹病毒1型主要囊膜糖蛋白(包括gB、gD、gN)的结构特征和生物学特征加以归纳总结,为该病毒的感染特性研究和预防提供参考。     

禽流感病毒神经氨酸酶的结构及其生物学功能

高致病性禽流感是由禽流感病毒(AIV)引起的一种急性传染病。AIV呈球形,有囊膜。其表面主要有2种糖蛋白,即血凝素和神经氨酸酶。其中神经氨酸酶具有重要功能,其对病毒的释放及病毒在感染细胞周围的扩散能力有很大影响。此外,神经氨酸酶对其周围的血凝素切割能力也有很大影响,从而在一定程度上可以导致病毒致病性的不同。神经氨酸酶是AIV中另一种重要抗原,抗神经氨酸酶的抗体可为机体遭受流感病毒攻击提供一定的保护力。因此,神经氨酸酶对AIV的生物学特性具有重要意义。     

Further biological, serological and biochemical characterization of North American, European and Southeast Asian strains of bovine herpesvirus 1 compared with other alphaherpesvirinae members

Hemagglutination activity, structural protein profiles and neutralization assays were used in a comparative study of bovine herpesvirus 1 strains from the U.S.A., Canada, Great Britain, Denmark and Malaysia with equine, feline and human herpesviruses in order to further characterize the bovine herpesvirus 1 hemagglutinin. Bovine herpesvirus 1 strains of different geographical origins all showed hemagglutinating activity for mouse erythrocytes; furthermore, feline herpesvirus 1 was also shown to hemagglutinate mouse erythrocytes. Analyses of partly purified viruses showed that a distinctive and specific polypeptides profile is associated with each species of herpesviruses used in our study; strains of bovine herpesvirus 1 from North America, Europe and Southeast Asia however, presented a remarkable similarity as to their electrophoretic protein patterns. A protein similar to the 97-kDa bovine viral hemagglutinin was not identified with the hemagglutinating feline herpesvirus. An important neutralization epitope on the bovine viral hemagglutinin was also not found on feline, equine and human herpesviruses but was identified on all bovine strains tested from North America, Europe and Southeast Asia stressing the importance of the bovine hemagglutinin for eventual prophylactic purposes.     

Antibody-induced internalization of viral glycoproteins in pseudorabies virus-infected monocytes and role of the cytoskeleton: a confocal study

Addition of pseudorabies virus (PrV)-specific polyclonal immunoglobulins to PrV-infected monocytes induces internalization of plasma membrane anchored viral glycoproteins. This process may interfere with antibody-dependent cell lysis and resembles the well-studied physiological endocytosis process. A confocal study was designed to investigate whether the major cellular components, involved in physiological endocytosis (clathrin, actin, dynein and microtubules), play a role in this virological internalization process. In order to visualize the interaction of endosomes, which contain the internalized viral glycoproteins, with clathrin, actin, dynein and microtubules, a double labeling of viral glycoproteins and different cellular proteins was performed. Porcine monocytes were inoculated with the PrV-strain 89V87 at a multiplicity of infection of 50 for 13h. After the addition of FITC-labeled porcine polyclonal PrV-specific antibodies, cells were fixed with para-formaldehyde at different time points and afterwards permeabilized. The different cellular components were visualized with monoclonal antibodies and a Texas Red-conjugate, with the exception of actin, which was stained with phalloidin-Texas Red. The cells were analyzed by confocal microscopy. A clear co-localization was observed between the viral glycoproteins and clathrin and dynein during the internalization process. The microtubules were in close contact with the internalized vesicles. For actin no co-localization could be observed. It can be stated that clathrin, dynein and microtubules, important components during physiological endocytosis, are also of importance during the antibody-induced internalization of viral glycoproteins.     

Bovine herpesvirus glycoprotein D: a review of its structural characteristics and applications in vaccinology

The viral envelope glycoprotein D from bovine herpesviruses 1 and 5 (BoHV-1 and -5), two important pathogens of cattle, is a major component of the virion and plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of herpesviruses. Glycoprotein D is essential for virus penetration into permissive cells and thus is a major target for virus neutralizing antibodies during infection. In view of its role in the induction of protective immunity, gD has been tested in new vaccine development strategies against both viruses. Subunit, DNA and vectored vaccine candidates have been developed using this glycoprotein as the primary antigen, demonstrating that gD has the capacity to induce robust virus neutralizing antibodies and strong cell-mediated immune responses, as well as protection from clinical symptoms, in target species. This review highlights the structural and functional characteristics of BoHV-1, BoHV-5 and where appropriate, Human herpesvirus gD, as well as its role in viral entry and interactions with host cell receptors. Furthermore, the interactions of gD with the host immune system are discussed. Finally, the application of this glycoprotein in new vaccine design is reviewed, taking its structural and functional characteristics into consideration.     

Palmitoylation of influenza virus proteins

During and after their synthesis, the envelope proteins of influenza viruses are extensively modified by glycosylation, disulfide-bond formation, oligomerisation and proteolytical cleavage. These modifications have an enormous impact on folding and transport of the proteins to the plasma membrane and are also crucial for the infectivity and pathogenicity of the resulting virus particles. Here we summarize the results of 25 years of research on the linkage of fatty acids to proteins (palmitoylation), a modification we discovered with viral glycoproteins including the influenza virus spike proteins. The fundamental biochemistry of the attachment of fatty acids to the hemagglutinin (HA) and to the ion-channel M2 is described which has been instrumental in revealing similar modifications in cellular proteins. Finally, the functional consequences of palmitoylation for entry of viruses into target cells by HA-mediated membrane fusion and for assembly and release of virus particles from infected cells are discussed.     

Pathogenic potential of equine alphaherpesviruses: The importance of the mononuclear cell compartment in disease outcome

Equid herpesviruses types 1 and 4 (EHV-1 and EHV-4) are closely related pathogens of horses. While both viruses can infect the upper respiratory tract, EHV-1 regularly causes systemic infection, which is only rarely observed in the case of EHV-4. Little is known about the molecular basis for this striking difference in pathogenic potential. Recently, we have started a systematic analysis of differences in the amino acid sequences of proteins involved in virus replication, more specifically entry and egress, as well as proteins involved in immune evasion. Here, we summarize our findings relevant to glycoproteins D and G (gD and gG), which share a high degree of similarity between the viruses, yet exhibit important differences. We found that both these glycoproteins appear to be involved in the conquest of the mononuclear cell compartment. While gD is involved in infection of peripheral blood mononuclear cells through an RSD motif present in EHV-1 but not EHV-4, gG is implicated in thwarting innate responses by sequestration of chemokines. Again, the activity is only present in EHV-1, more specifically in a short stretch of variable amino acids in the extracellular domain of gG. The differences in the two glycoproteins of EHV-1 and EHV-4 are discussed, as is their role in pathogenesis. In addition, hypotheses are proposed related to the other equid respiratory alphaherpesviruses, EHV-8 and EHV-9, based on the amino acid sequences of gD and gG.     

New emerging viral zoonoses

New developments in the field of viral transmission from animal to man can be divided into four areas of study. First are the new viral zoonoses such as diseases caused by rotaviruses, Lassa virus and the animal orthopox viruses which will be more prevalent after the cessation of mandatory vaccination against smallpox. Secondly are the numerous ubiquitous viruses, such as adeno and herpesviruses, which in healthy animals lead only to clinically inapparent infections. A typical example of the third area is the recombination and hybridisation between animal and human influenza type A viruses. The final area is concerned with the transmission of viral zoonoses to man through food of animal origin.     

副黏病毒糖蛋白的结构与功能研究进展

副黏病毒是一类包含多种能引起人和动物严重疾病的负链RNA病毒。其病毒颗粒囊膜上排列有两种糖蛋白，分别是识别并结合宿主受体的附着蛋白(hemagglutinin neuraminidase/hemagglutinin/glycoprotein, HN/H/G)和介导病毒颗粒囊膜与宿主细胞膜融合的融合蛋白(fusion protein, F)。这两种糖蛋白通过与病毒受体及细胞膜的互相作用介导了病毒与宿主细胞的特异性识别、结合及融合过程，最终使病毒基因组进入宿主细胞质开启复制过程。由于糖蛋白是主要的病毒抗原及中和抗体靶点，因此近年来对副黏病毒糖蛋白的研究在不断的深入探索。就副黏病毒糖蛋白在其结构、功能及其相互作用方面的研究进展进行了综述，以期为治疗性抗体和疫苗的合理开发提供理论基础。     

病毒感染与细胞凋亡

细胞凋亡是机体在生长发育、细胞分化和病理过程中由基因编码调控的细胞主动自杀过程。机体通过凋亡将衰老、畸变和病变的细胞清除。因而 ,凋亡在生理及病理过程中具有同样重要的作用。近年来的研究发现 ,一些病毒及其编码的产物与宿主细胞的凋亡关系密切。研究病毒与细胞凋亡的相互关系 ,不仅有助于深入理解病毒的致病机理 ,开发新的抗病毒制剂 ,还为探索细胞内分子事件打开了窗口 ,而且对治疗人类病毒性疾病意义深远     

Perforin and granzymes in neurological infections: From humans to cattle

Perforin and granzymes are essential components of the cytotoxic granules present in cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells. These proteins play a crucial role in a variety of conditions, including viral infections, tumor immune surveillance, and tissue rejection. Besides their beneficial effect in most of these situations, perforin and granzymes have also been associated with tissue damage and immune diseases. Moreover, it has been reported that perforin and granzymes released during viral infections could contribute to the pathogenesis of diseases. In this review, we summarize the information available on human perforin and granzymes and their relationship with neurological infections and immune disorders. Furthermore, we compare this information with that available for bovine and present data on perforin and granzymes expression in cattle infected with bovine alphaherpesvirus types1 and -5. To our knowledge, this is the first review analyzing the impact of perforin and granzymes on neurological infections caused by bovine herpesviruses.     

Anti-influenza A virus activities of mannan-binding lectins and bovine conglutinin

Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) and bovine conglutinin (BKg) belong to the collectin family, which is involved in first-line host defense against various infectious agents. We have previously reported that human MBL inhibited type A influenza viral hemagglutination, infection and spreading to adjacent cells without complement activation. In this study, we investigated the direct antiviral activities of bovine MBL, rabbit MBL and BKg. All collectins used in this study inhibited viral infectivity and hemagglutination at concentrations of 0.02-0.3 microg/ml. They also demonstrated inhibitory activity against viral spreading. Like human MBL, bovine MBL and BKg showed antiviral activities at their physiological concentrations. These results suggest that mammalian MBLs and BKg may inhibit the spread of influenza A virus through the bloodstream.     

Effect of glycosylation and glucose trimming inhibitors on the influenza A virus glycoproteins

N-glycosylation and glucose trimming of the influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) were studied by using glycosylation inhibitor (tunicamycin; TM) and glucosidase inhibitors. TM treatment of MDCK cells infected with a reassortant virus NWS-N8 resulted in reduced transport of the viral glycoproteins to the cell surface. The degree of the effects differed between the HA and the NA (80% reduction for the HA and 97% reduction for the NA), indicating a difference in dependency on N-glycosylation between these glycoproteins. Differential dependency on glucose trimming was clearly demonstrated when the surface transport of the glycoproteins was compared after treatment of the virus-infected cells with glucosidase inhibitors. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis revealed that the surface transport of the NA reduced to 50% after castanospermine (CST) treatment but not did that of the HA. An anti-viral effect of a glucosidase inhibitor on the NWS-N8 strain was also demonstrated. The correlation between the expression of the NA on the cell surface and virus yield suggests that CST may interfere with virus release through its effect on the NA.     

Crane hepatitis herpesviruses

Comparative studies were performed on crane herpesviruses obtained from two different enzootics in Austria and France. The examined viruses appear to be identical in their physico-chemical properties, morphology and biological reactions in ovo. The crane viruses are tentatively classified as beta-herpesviruses. Crane herpesvirus antisera produced in rabbits reacted in cross neutralization tests with each other and with a herpesvirus obtained from a bobwhite quail. No reactivity was observed with other avian herpesviruses and with human herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2.     

甲型疱疹病毒亚科的疱疹病毒囊膜糖蛋白gC对病毒感染复制的影响

甲型疱疹病毒亚科的疱疹病毒宿主广泛,能感染哺乳类、两栖类和禽类,主要侵害宿主的皮肤、黏膜和神经组织,病毒还会在宿主神经组织潜伏感染,一经感染,难以清除。gC是甲型疱疹病毒亚科的病毒囊膜糖蛋白之一,在病毒感染复制过程中发挥了重要作用。gC与细胞上受体结合帮助病毒吸附至宿主细胞表面、介导低pH条件下病毒入侵上皮细胞、影响病毒基因组的复制。此外,gC帮助病毒逃避补体和抗体的中和,促进病毒的吸附入侵。本文就gC影响病毒感染复制的相关功能进行综述,旨在为研究gC和深入了解甲型疱疹病毒亚科病毒的生命周期,以及gC亚单位疫苗和mRNA疫苗的研究提供参考。     

Susceptibility of bovine macrophage and tracheal-ring cultures to bovine viruses.

Cultures of macrophages initiated from peripheral blood monocytes and organ cultures of tracheal rings were tested for their susceptibility to bovine viruses. With several notable exceptions, viruses cytopathogenic for bovine embryonic lung cultures were cytopathogenic for macrophages. Although cowpox virus replicated in macrophages, pseudocowpox did not, and although pseudorabies virus replicated within macrophages, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis and DN-599 herpesviruses did not. Bluetongue virus established an interesting relationship with macrophages. Whereas bluetongue virus was initially cytopathogenic for macrophages, it lost its cytopathogenicity on repeated passage, although it was capable of continued replication in macrophages. When subsequently passaged onto bovine embryonic lung cultures, it regained its cytopathogenicity. Parainfluenza-3, bovine viral diarrhea, and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis viruses readily destroyed ciliary activity in tracheal-ring cultures, as contrasted with the inability of bovine respiratory syncytial virus to destroy ciliary activity, even though bovine respiratory syncytial virus was able to replicate within ciliated epithelial cells of tracheal rings.     

新城疫病毒囊膜糖蛋白生物学特性的研究进展

新城疫是当今全球范围内最严重的禽类传染病之一。其病原新城疫病毒是单股负链RNA病毒,编码NP、P、M、F、HN和L 6种结构蛋白,其中最主要的是位于囊膜上的F和HN两种糖蛋白。F蛋白具有使病毒囊膜与宿主细胞膜融合,致使病毒穿入宿主细胞膜的作用,是决定病毒毒力的关键因子;HN蛋白具有血凝素和神经氨酸酶两种活性,这两种活性对于NDV侵染细胞具有重要的作用。这两种糖蛋白不仅对NDV的毒力及致病性方面起着决定性作用,而且也是诱导产生保护性抗体的蛋白。作者主要对这两种蛋白的结构与功能作一概述。     

Serologic and virologic studies of selected cattle with antibodies to bovine herpesviruses

In order to investigate the specificity of low titer antibodies to BHV 1, twelve cattle were subjected to stress and dexamethasone treatment. They were monitored virologically by inoculating cell cultures with naso-pharyngeal-, ocular- and vaginal- or preputial swabs and serologically by assessing the prevalence and incidence of antibodies to bovine, caprine-, porcine-, and equine herpesviruses and to bovine leukemia virus. Antibodies were classified as specific for BHV 1 if the animals excreted IBR virus, or if the antibodies neutralized BHV 1 and reacted with BHV 1 antigens, or if they reacted additionally with CapHV antigens. Animals whose sera recognized BHV 1 and BHV 2 but not other herpesviruses, were judged to have experienced both infections. Nine of the twelve animals had specific BHV 1 antibodies. With three animals the question for specificity of their antibodies remains open. Two animals experienced several herpesvirus infections. Therefore, the induction of crossreacting antibodies, directed against epitopes common to herpesviruses, could not be ruled out. The sera of one animal reacted with BHV 1 and BHV 4 antigens in ELISA tests. They did, however, not neutralize BHV 1.     

Herpesviruses—A zoonotic threat?

Herpesviruses are highly host specific and share a long synchronous evolution with their hosts. Only in rare cases, species barriers fall and allow animal to human or human to animal transmission. Among the zoonotic herpesviruses, Cercopithecine herpesvirus 1 is the most significant and can be transmitted from macaques to human. Conversely, Human herpesvirus 1 is capable of causing severe disease in primates. Besides those two examples, there are several herpesviruses with a certainly limited or only suspected ability to cross species barriers. Those include Saimiriine herpesvirus 2, Phocid herpesvirus 2, Equid herpesvirus 1, Epstein-Barr Virus, Marek's disease virus, and Pseudorabies virus. Concerning xenotransplantations, porcine gammaherpesviruses must be considered as a zoonotic threat.