Characteristic features of porcine endogenous retroviruses in Vietnamese native pigs

We aimed to clarify the genomic characteristics of porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) in Vietnamese native pig (VnP) breeds. First, we investigated genetic polymorphisms in β‐ and γ‐like PERVs, and we then measured the copy numbers of infectious γ‐like PERVs (PERV‐A, B, and C). We purified genomic DNA from 15 VnP breeds from 12 regions all over the country and three Western pig breeds as controls, and investigated genetic polymorphisms in all known PERVs, including the beta (β)1–4 and gamma (γ)1–5 groups. PERVs of β1, β2, β3, and γ4 were highly polymorphic with VnP‐specific haplotypes. We did not identify genetic polymorphisms in β4, γ1, or γ2 PERVs. We then applied a real‐time polymerase chain reaction–based method to estimate copy numbers of the gag, pol, and env genes of γ1 PERVs (defined as A, B, and C). VnP breeds showed significantly lower copy number of the PERV genes compared with the Western pig breeds (on average, 16.2 and 35.7 copies, respectively, p < .05). Two VnP breeds showed significantly higher copy number compared with the other VnPs (p < .05). Our results elucidated that VnPs have specific haplotypes and a low copy number of PERV genes.     

Porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERV): in vitro artifact or a big problem for xenotransplantation?]

The pig is the favorized donor species for clinical xenotransplantation. However, PATIENCE et al. could show, that porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERV), released by a porcine kidney cell line, are capable of infecting human cell lines in vitro. Based on this discovery there is an ongoing discussion concerning the risks of zoonosis combined with xenotranplantation, which culminated in the demand for a moratorium on clinical transplantation of porcine organs. Recent findings exclude the possibility of an artifact due to the use of an immortalized cell line: Release of infectious PERV was also shown for mitogenic stimulated primary porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells and, even more important, for primary porcine endothelial cells. In contrast, none of the recent retrospective in vivo studies showed evidence for PERV transmission, neither in patients after transplantation of porcine pancreas islet cells or after extracorporal perfusion of porcine kidneys, nor in baboons after transplantation of porcine endothelial cells. Currently it is not known, whether impairments of the immunological responses against foreign pathogens, which are associated with different xenotransplantation strategies, could enable PERV in vivo infection. Only in vivo experiments, if possible in suitable subhuman primate models, offer the prospect for a final risk assessment.     

Research Progress and Countermeasures of Porcine Endogenous Retrovirus in Chinese Miniature

The paper is a brief introduction of porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV) innovative research results in the world and also expounds the passing PERV existence situation on different varieties of miniature pig, analyzes the PERV-virus gene cloning and sequence, appraises method on cell level, create the platform of infection HEK293 cells research, study on pigs A3F inhibition of PERV, and reveal the innovative research results on the specific molecular genetics in the different strain of PERV, analyzes the advantages of Wuzhishan miniature pig inbred line such as low gene copy of PERV,and there is no passing PERV-C specificity and as well as looking forward to cultivate the methods for new strain of PERV negative pigs. It will provide a scientific counter measure and new perspective to solve the spread of disease risk of miniature pig PERV and product safety for human xenotransplantation and biomedical materials of research and development.     

中国小型猪内源性反转录病毒研究进展与对策

作者介绍了国内外猪内源性反转录病毒（PERV）研究进展,简述了中国不同品种小型猪PERV存在情况、PERV前病毒全基因克隆与序列分析、细胞水平鉴定方法、感染HEK293细胞研究平台的创建、猪A3F对PERV的抑制作用研究,以及从分子遗传学上揭示不同品系PERV特异性等创新性研究成果,分析了五指山小型猪近交系具有PERV基因拷贝少且没有PERV-C等特异性,以及展望培育中国PERV阴性猪新品系方法等研究,以期为人类异种器官移植和生物医用材料产品安全性研发,解决小型猪PERV疾病传播危险性提供科学对策和新的方向。     

猪内源性反转录病毒囊膜蛋白基因的克隆及其蛋白二级结构和B细胞表位预测

猪内源性反转录病毒（PERV）是与猪-人异种移植病原安全性密切相关的一类病毒。env基因编码病毒的囊膜蛋白,它与病毒的亚型分类、宿主感染范围、细胞的嗜性以及对宿主细胞的感染机制、诱导宿主产生中和抗体等密切相关。本研究利用RT-PCR的方法,从五指山小型猪外周血淋巴细胞中扩增PERV的囊膜蛋白基因并进行测序,随后用生物信息学相关软件和方法,对PERV-Env蛋白二级结构及B细胞表位进行预测。经综合分析评价,结果发现PERV-Env蛋白有18个可能的B细胞优势抗原表位区域,7个可能的糖基化位点。该分析预测结果不但有利于PERV疫苗的设计、单抗及诊断试剂研制,而且将有助于分析Env蛋白的功能及PERV对人源细胞的感染机制。     

Natural killer (NK) activity of porcine blood lymphocytes against allogeneic melanoma target cells

Allogeneic PM/86 melanoma cells of Munich Troll miniature swine have been used for the demonstration of porcine peripheral blood NK cell activity. Compared with the specific lysis of xenogeneic K562-, U937- and Vero-target cells, NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity (NK-CMC) against PM/86 melanoma tumor cells was significantly lower in a 16 h chromium release assay. The target cell susceptibility to peripheral blood NK-CMC of both adult Troll miniature swine and German Landrace sows was very similar. Cold target inhibition assays revealed the allogeneic PM/86 melanoma cells to be the most powerful inhibitors of NK-CMC. Nylon wool non-adherent lymphocytes produced interferon (IFN)-alpha in different quantities upon contact with NK susceptible target cells. The NK effector cells could be stimulated to a higher lytic activity against all susceptible targets by a moderate dose of natural human interleukin-2 (nhuIL-2). The role of NK-CMC in melanoma tumor rejection and/or prevention of metastases is yet unknown in swine although porcine melanoma serves as a good model for the disease in man.     

中国巴马小型猪内源性反转录病毒的检测

目的 :对我国特有巴马小型猪内源性反转录病毒 ( porcine endogenous retrovirus,PERV)的存在与 m RNA的表达情况进行检测 ,了解巴马小型猪内源性反转录病毒的携带情况。方法 :根据以往建立的 PCR、RT-PCR检测方法 ,对来自于巴马小型猪外周血淋巴细胞的 DNA和RNA样品进行 PERV核心蛋白基因 ( gag)、多聚酶基因 ( pol)及囊膜基因 ( env)的存在与表达进行检测 ;同时 ,根据目前通用的 env基因分型方法检测 PERV env-A、env-B、env-C的存在与表达。结果 :在 1 2个被检的 DNA样品中均检出了PERV特异性 DNA的存在 ;同样 ,在 1 2个被检的 RNA样品中均有 PERV特异性 RNA的表达 ,且所表达的 PERV均为 A型和 B型 ;其中有9个 DNA样品检测出 PERV-C型的存在 ,所有样品中均未检出 C型 PERV的表达。结论 :检测结果表明 1 2个被检巴马小型猪基因组中存在着内源性反转录病毒序列 ,且能以 m RNA的形式表达 ,这一结果为我国特有小型猪的开发、利用及其病毒安全性评价奠定了基础。     

Transgenic pigs for xenotransplantation for humans]

Transgenic livestock have been generated via microinjection of DNA-constructs into pronuclei of zygotes. However, efficiency is low and only 1-3% transgenic offspring are to be obtained. Integration of the transgene occurs at random and expression is independent from the number of integrated copies but can be affected by the integration site. To overcome the shortage of human organs, transgenic pigs have been generated that express human complement regulatory genes. This approach enables to overcome the hyperacute rejection response as shown by an average survival rate (40-90 days) of the immunosuppressed primate recipients receiving a heart from a transgenic pig. It is expected that transgenic pigs would be available as organ donors in the next 5-10 years. A major prerequisite, however, is the prevention of the potential transfer of pathogenic microorganisms, in particular porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERV). Improvements of the efficiency in the generation of transgenic pigs will be achieved by the use of genetically modified donor cells in nuclear transfer technology (cloning).     

Comparative study of anti-oncogenic microRNA-145 in canine and human malignant melanoma

MicroRNA-145 (miRNA-145; miR-145) is aberrantly expressed in most of human cancers and plays a significant role in carcinogenesis and cancer progression. In the current study, we focused on how miR-145 plays a role in canine and human malignant melanomas. MiR-145 was significantly downregulated in canine malignant melanoma tissues and canine melanoma cell lines, as well as human melanoma cell lines tested. The ectopic expression of miR-145 showed a significant growth inhibition in both canine and human melanoma cells tested, and the effect was achieved partly by suppressing c-MYC in canine melanoma LMeC and in human melanoma A2058 and Mewo cells. At the same time, a suppressive tendency on cell migration in canine melanoma KMeC cells and significant suppression of cell migration in human melanoma A2058 cells by suppressing FASCIN1 were also found. These findings suggest that miR-145 acts as a tumor suppressor in both canine and human malignant melanomas.     

猪内源性逆转录病毒对异种组织器官移植影响的研究进展

猪内源性逆转录病毒(Porcine en-dogenous retrovirus,PERV)是新发现的对人细胞具有感染性的且存在于正常猪体内的病毒,在异种组织器官移植过程中可能向人传播,直接威胁到接受移植者的健康甚至生命,这是异种组织器官移植首要克服的难题。由于PERV近年来才受到广泛关注,所以人们对PERV的分类,对人类和其他动物的危害性及病原的检测均不能完全确定。文章旨在提供上述几方面的研究现状,以期为PERV的深入研究奠定基础。PERV能影响移植受体的生殖,抑制受体免疫体系;对其他物种的细胞或活体都可能产生体外和体内感染性;目前有多种PERV检测方法,为受体和供体的病毒监控提供了依据。     

Large-scale survey of porcine endogenous retrovirus in Chinese miniature pigs

We conducted a large-scale survey on the existence and expression status of porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV) in seven breeds of Chinese miniature pigs. Genotyping of PERV was examined by PCR using type-specific primers according to the env genotyping method. The presence and expression status of viral gag, pol and env genes were further analyzed in Wuzhishan pigs (WZSP) and Bama minipigs (BMP). The results showed that PERV existed in all 348 genomic DNA samples. The genotype distribution was subtype A-74.43%, subtype B-95.40% and subtype C-30.46%. No expression of subtype C was found in WZSP and BMP. This research obtained an adequate level of information on the molecular epidemiology of PERV in China. The results indicated that it is possible to monitor pig herds for individuals with the lowest PERV prevalence, especially lacking PERV-C.     

Porcine endogenous retrovirus copy number in different pig breeds is not related to genetic diversity

The risk of zoonoses is a major obstacle to xenotransplantation. Porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV) poses a potential risk of zoonotic infection, and its control is a prerequisite for the development of clinical xenotransplantation. The copy number of PERV varies among different breeds, and it has been suggested that the PERV integrations number is increased by inbreeding. The purpose of this study was (i) to examine the copy number of PERV in different Spanish pig breeds, Spanish wild boar and commercial cross-bred pigs from five different farms and genetic background (CCP1-CCP5) and (ii) to investigate the correlation between PERV copy number and the genetic background of the pigs in order to improve the selection of pigs for xenotransplantation. PERV copy number was determined by quantitative, real-time polymerase chain reactions. Thirty-four microsatellite markers were genotyped to describe the genetic diversity within populations (observed and expected heterozygosities, Ho and He, respectively) and the inbreeding coefficient (F). Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between PERV copy number and Ho, He and F. The copy number of PERV among different pig breeds was estimated to range between three (CCP1) and 43 copies (Iberian Pig). Statistical differences were found among the studied populations concerning PERV copy number. No correlation was found between the PERV copy number and the heterozygosity (calculated at an individual level or at a population level) or the inbreeding coefficient of each population. Our data suggest that pigs inbreeding does not increase PERV copy number and support the idea that careful selection of pigs for organ donation with reduced PERV copy number will minimize the risk of retrovirus transmission to the human receptor.     

聚合酶链反应检测4种猪源细胞系中的内源性反转录病毒

为了建立检测猪内源性反转录病毒（porcine endogenous retrovirus,PERV)的特异性方法，根据巳发表的PERV的序列，设计并合成了针对PERV核心蛋白（gag）、多聚酶（pol)、囊膜蛋白（env）基因的3对引物，预期扩增片段分别为361、150、265bp。应用PCR技术检测了PERV在4株猪源细胞中的整合情况。结果表明，在所有被检细胞的基因组中均存在有PERV的前病毒序列，应用RT-PCR检测上述4株猪源细胞中PERV特异性MRNA的表达，结果均为阳性。试验还对建立的上述2种方法的特异性进行了探讨，结果表明试验建立的PERV检测法具有较高的特异性。该方法的建立为进一步研究PERV奠定了基础，还可对异种移植动物模型及异种移植受体进行病原安全性监测。     

Simultaneous detection and subtyping of porcine endogenous retroviruses proviral DNA using the dual priming oligonucleotide system

The purpose of this study was to develop a multiplex PCR that can detect porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV) proviral genes (pol, envA, envB, envC) and porcine mitochondrial DNA, using a dual priming oligonucleotide (DPO) system. The primer specifically detected the PERV proviral genes pol, envA, envB, envC, and porcine mitochondrial DNA only in samples of pig origin. The sensitivity of the primer was demonstrated by simultaneous amplification of all 5 target genes in as little as 10 pg of pig DNA containing PERV proviral genes and mitochondrial DNA. The multiplex PCR, when applied to field samples, simultaneously and successfully amplified PERV proviral genes from liver, blood and hair root samples. Thus, the multiplex PCR developed in the current study using DPO-based primers is a rapid, sensitive and specific assay for the detection and subtyping of PERV proviral genes.     

Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan-4: a biomarker and a potential immunotherapeutic target for canine malignant melanoma

Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan-4 (CSPG4), also known as high molecular weight-melanoma associated antigen (HMW-MAA), is a membrane-bound chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan highly expressed by human melanoma cells. This phylogenetically conserved tumour antigen plays an important biological role in human melanoma, where it is used as a marker to diagnose forms with unusual characteristics, such as desmoplastic melanoma, and to detect melanoma cells in lymph nodes and peripheral blood, and as a target for immunotherapy because of its restricted distribution in normal tissues. To identify suitable targets to develop novel approaches of treating canine melanoma, CSPG4 was studies to see whether it is expressed in canine malignant melanomas. Immunohistochemical staining of 65 canine malignant melanomas with an anti-human CSPG4-specific antibody detected CSPG4 in 37 cases (56.9%). Positive staining was more frequent, albeit not significantly, in amelanotic compared to melanotic tumours and was statistically associated with tumours having both melanin and the epithelioid histotype. The frequency of CSPG4 expression was similar to that of other melanoma antigens used as diagnostic markers for canine malignant melanoma, such as Melan A and the protein recognized by the PNL2 monoclonal antibody. The results suggest that CSPG4 constitutes a new potential immunohistochemical marker of canine malignant melanoma and may represent an immunotherapeutic target as in humans.     

Inheritance of melanocytic lesions and their association with the white colour phenotype in miniature swine

A line of Munich Miniature Swine (MMS) Troll showing a high incidence of spontaneous benign and malignant cutaneous melanocytic lesions has been developed since 1986. The inheritance of cutaneous melanocytic lesions was studied by establishing the F₁-, F₂- and reciprocal B₁-generations with one melanoma MMS-Troll boar and four unaffected German Landrace sows as founders. A total of 176 animals were available, 27 in the F₁-, 111 in the F₂-, 19 in the B_1-DL-, and 14 in the B_1-Troll-generation. Benign melanocytic lesions were observed in 42% of F₁-, 18% of F₂-, 11% of B_1-DL- and 50% of B_1-Troll-animals. Malignant melanomas developed in 3.6% of F₂- and 7.1% of B_1-Troll-animals, although no animal with white coat colour was affected. A mixed major gene model with arbitrary gene action explained the segregation of benign lesions sufficiently well. For melanomas a mixed major gene model required additional dominant acting suppressor loci to obtain a sufficient fit to the data. An influence of SLA haplotypes on the penetrance of melanocytic lesions was not evident. The association analysis of the white phenotypes strongly indicated that the dominant allele I at the I-locus suppresses malignant melanocytic lesions. A possible explanation is the lack of melanocytes in the skin of dominant white pigs caused by a mutation of the KIT-gene, which leads to a failure of melanoblast migration and development.     

Multiplication of the IBR, PI-3 and BVD-MD viruses in cell and organ cultures of bovine fetuses after experimental intrauterine infections

The intrauterine infection of four- to nine-month-old bovine foetuses with the PI-3, BVD-MD viruses, performed 7 to 72 days prior to their delivery, did not exert any significant influence upon the susceptibility of primary cell cultures from foetal organs and tissues to further viral infection in vitro. The BVD-MD and IBR viruses multiplied in the primary cell cultures from the organs of a foetus infected with the PI-3 virus seven days before delivery even in the presence of endogenous PI-3 virus. Persisting infection with the PI-3 virus also failed to influence the susceptibility of foetal organ cultures to infection with the IBR and PI-3 viruses in vitro. The IBR virus and endogenous PI-3 virus multiplied simultaneously to high titres in the organ cultures of thymus and lungs whereas in the organ cultures of kidneys, spleen and testes the multiplication of endogenous PI-3 virus was suppressed.