Hepatic lesions in young rabbits experimentally infected with rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus

Twenty young rabbits (eleven 2-week-old and nine 4-week-old) were experimentally infected with rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) to clarify susceptibility. They were killed chronologically up to 96 hours post-inoculation (PI) and examined for lesions. All inoculated rabbits were clinically normal, but grossly minute white or grey spots were detected throughout the liver. Histologically, the lesions consisted of aggregates of lymphocytes, macrophages and heterophils, with or without acidophilic bodies and necrotic hepatocytes. Immunohistochemically, RHDV antigens were found in the degenerated hepatocytes and in macrophages. The cellular aggregates were considered to be a reaction to necrotic hepatocytes infected with RHDV. It was concluded that some hepatocytes are susceptible to RHDV in young rabbits.     

Detection of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus antigen in tissues by immunohistochemistry

Formalin fixed liver, spleen, kidney, heart, lung, duodenum and appendix tissues from nine rabbits, experimentally infected with rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV), were investigated for evidence of RHDV antigen by the direct avidin-biotin peroxidase complex immunohistochemical method. In all the rabbits examined, RHDV antigen was detected in degenerative and necrotic hepatocytes of the liver tissues. The area involved coincided with histopathological lesions on serial liver sections. The RHDV antigen was expressed in the cytoplasm of the hepatocytes, suggesting that RHDV replicated in these cells. RHDV antigen was also detected in the spleen. The results of immunohistochemistry were supported by the demonstration of RHDV protein by Western blot analysis and of RHDV particles by protein A-gold immunoelectron microscopy in the liver homogenate from all the rabbits that were examined.     

TaqMan MGB探针实时检测兔病毒性出血症病毒

应用荧光定量PCR技术,根据兔病毒性出血症病毒的保守基因VP60设计了1对引物和1段Taqman MGB探针,建立了用于检测兔病毒性出血症病毒的实时荧光定量RT-PCR方法。试验中能够检出的RHDV VP60基因质粒拷贝数达103数量级,能够检测到RHDV病毒核酸最低量可以达到5 pg,未检出其他病原的RNA。试验结果表明,建立的TaqMan MGB探针实时荧光定量RT-PCR方法的特异性、敏感性、重复性均达到试验设计要求,能快速检测临床样品中的兔病毒性出血症病毒,适合于兔各脏器及肌肉组织中兔病毒性出血症病毒的快速诊断和检测。     

Serological evidence for a non-protective RHDV-like virus

The data were recorded during a Rabbit haemorrhagic disease outbreak that occurred in France in 2001 in a wild population of rabbits that we have been monitoring since 2000. These data suggested the existence of non-protective antibodies due to a putative RHDV-like virus. Twenty-one blood and 22 liver samples were taken from the 26 corpses of recently dead rabbits that were found. RHDV was found in all liver samples. A first screening for RHD antibodies, carried out using an ELISA based on the detection of VP60-RHDV antigen, showed that 20 of the rabbits were seropositive. Moreover, we determined antibody titres for 13 of these 20 seropositive samples. All were > or = 1/400. Such titres normally indicate antibody levels sufficient to confer protection to all known RHDV or RHDV-like strains. For 16 samples, we determined whether these rabbits had died of a chronic or an acute form of the disease, by employing monoclonal antibody (Mabs)--based differential ELISA. All had died of an acute form of RHD. Because the antibodies detected by this VP60-ELISA test are known to appear 5-6 days after infection and since acute RHD generally kills the rabbits 2-3 days after infection, we assumed that the detected antibodies must have been present before the exposure to the virus that killed these rabbits. A second detection of antibodies was made with Mabs that are specific for RHDV. The results were negative, showing that the antibodies detected with the VP60 ELISA test were not specific for RHDV. We sequenced a portion of the VP60 gene of viruses isolated in 17 rabbits. All RHDV isolates were very similar to the RHDV strains commonly isolated in France during this period, suggesting that this viral strain was not a putative variant that is not neutralised by antibodies. Therefore we conclude that the detected antibodies were probably due to a RHDV-like virus that induces the production of detectable but non-protective antibodies.     

Single dose adenovirus vectored vaccine induces a potent and long-lasting immune response against rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus after parenteral or mucosal administration

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) is the etiological agent of a lethal and contagious disease of rabbits that remains as a serious problem worldwide. As this virus does not replicate in cell culture systems, the capsid protein gene has been expressed in heterologous hosts or inserted in replication-competent viruses in order to obtain non-conventional RHDV vaccines. However, due to technological or safety issues, current RHDV vaccines are still prepared from organs of infected rabbits. In this work, two human type 5 derived replication-defective adenoviruses encoding the rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus VP60 capsid protein were constructed. The recombinant protein was expressed as a multimer in mouse and rabbit cell lines at levels that ranged from approximately 120 to 160 mg/L of culture. Mice intravenously or subcutaneously inoculated with a single 10(8) gene transfer units (GTU) dose of the AdVP60 vector (designed for VP60 intracellular expression) seroconverted at days 7 and 14 post-immunization, respectively. This vector generated a stronger response than that obtained with a second vector (AdVP60sec) designed for VP60 secretion. Rabbits were then immunized by parenteral or mucosal routes with a single 10(9)GTU dose of the AdVP60 and the antibody response was evaluated using a competition ELISA specific for RHDV or RHDVa. Protective hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titers were also promptly detected and IgG antibodies corresponding with inhibition percentages over 85% persisted up to one year in all rabbits, independently of the immunization route employed. These levels were similar to those elicited with inactivated RHDV or with VP60 obtained from yeast or insect cells. IgA specific antibodies were only found in saliva of rabbits immunized by intranasal instillation. The feasibility of VP60 production and vaccination of rabbits with replication-defective adenoviral vectors was demonstrated.     

The recombinant rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus VP60 protein obtained from Pichia pastoris induces a strong humoral and cell-mediated immune response following intranasal immunization in mice

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) is a contagious and highly lethal viral disease of rabbits that spreads rapidly and infects animals by nasal, conjunctival and oral routes. Therefore, this experiment was undertaken to study the immune response generated after intranasal (i.n.) vaccination with the recombinant VP60 capsid protein from rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) expressed at high levels in Pichia pastoris. Groups of BALB/c mice were immunized with three doses of purified VP60 protein (Group 1), VP60 formulated within the cell debris fraction of the transformed yeast (Group 2) and placebo (Group 3) by intranasal route. Mice were also intramuscularly injected with purified VP60 protein (Group 4). A rapid antibody response specific against rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus was observed in all the experimental groups, except in Group 3, as detected by ELISA. The highest titers were found 60 days after the first immunization. Mice from Group 1 showed the highest IgG response (p<0.05) and the most balanced profile of IgG1, IgG2a and IgG2b subclasses. IgA titers specific to the virus were found only in animals from this group, which also developed the highest specific lymphocyte proliferative response. Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) gene expression was also detected after an ex vivo-specific stimulation of mice from Groups 1 and 4. These data demonstrated the capacity of VP60 protein expressed in P. pastoris to elicit a potent humoral and cell-mediated immune response following an intranasal immunization scheme.     

基因重组抗原酶联免疫法检测兔出血症病毒抗体及其标准化

以重组兔出血症病毒(RHDV)VP60蛋白为抗原，建立了RHDV抗体间接ELISA检测方法。优化的试验反应务件为：重组VP60的包被质量浓度为1．0mg／L，用10％牛血清封闭，以大肠杆菌提取物稀释被检血清以消除非特异性反应。将所建立的ELISA与现行血凝抑制(HI)试验比较发现，不同免疫状态的兔血清的RHDV ELISA抗体与HI抗体均呈正相关。对11个RHD免疫兔场1130份血清样品的抗体检测表明，各免疫兔群血清RHDV抗体水平不完全一致，D值在1．09～1．76之间，显著高于非免疫兔(0．05)及SPF兔(0．02)，低于高免兔(2．34)。在此基础上，研制了RHDV抗体酶联免疫检测试剂盒，测定了其主要指标，制定了各成分的质量控制标准，为兔群进行免疫学监测及评价疫苗的免疫效果提供了便利。     

Egg yolk IgY against RHDV capsid protein VP60 promotes rabbit defense against RHDV infection

VP60 capsid protein is the major structural and immunogenicity protein of RHDV (Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus, RHDV), and has been implicated as a main protein antigen in RHDV diagnosis and vaccine design. In this report, egg yolk antibody (IgY) against N-terminal of VP60 was evaluated and developed as a new strategy for RHDV therapy. Briefly, N-terminal of VP60 (～250aa) fragment was cloned and inserted into pET28a expression vector, and then the resultant plasmid, pET28a/VP60-N, was transformed into E. coli BL21(DE3) for recombinant VP60-N protein (rVP60-N) expression. Next, the rVP60-N was purified by Ni⁺-affinity purification chromatography and identified by Western blotting with RHDV antiserum. After immunizing the chickens with rVP60-N, the anti-rVP60-N IgY was isolated, and the activity and specificity of the IgY antibody were analyzed by ELISA and Western blotting. In our results, the rVP60-N could be expressed in E. coli as soluble fraction, and the isolated anti-rVP60-N IgY demonstrated a high specificity and titer (1:22,000) against rVP60-N antigen. For further evaluation of the IgY efficacy in vivo, rabbits were grouped randomly and challenged with RHDV, and the results showed that anti-rVP60-N IgY could significantly protect rabbits from virus infection and promote the host survival after a sustained treatment with anti-rVP60-N IgY for 5 days. Taken together, our study demonstrates evidence that production of IgY against VP60 could be as a novel strategy for the RHDV therapy.     

Adenovirus-based oral vaccine for rabbit hemorrhagic disease

Vaccine antigens for rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) are currently derived from inactivated RHDV obtained from the livers of experimentally infected rabbits or from several recombinant immunogens. However, the application of these vaccine antigens has been restricted because of biosecurity and immunity characteristics. In the current study, a recombinant adenovirus expressing the RHDV capsid protein (VP60) was constructed and the expression of the recombinant protein was identified through western blot analysis using RHDV-positive rabbit sera. Eighteen rabbits were immunized by injection, direct oral instillation, or using bait. They were challenged with RHDV isolate three weeks after boost immunization. In all cases, the rabbits immunized with the recombinant adenovirus developed RHDV-specific antibodies and cell immune response. The rabbits injected with the recombinant adenovirus were completely protected against RHDV challenge. The adenovirus expression system may provide a strategy for the immunization of rabbits, particularly for the control of RHDV in wild rabbits.     

Apoptosis of peripheral blood leukocytes from rabbits infected with non-haemagglutinating strains of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV)

The report demonstrates that the induction of apoptosis in peripheral blood granulocytes and lymphocytes of rabbits infected with three non-haemagglutinating RHDV strains (English Rainham, German Frankfurt, and Spanish Asturias) is a crucial determinant of the pathogenesis of rabbit haemorrhagic disease. Apoptosis was measured by flow cytometric detection of caspase activity. These studies demonstrated that the investigated RHDV (rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus) viral strains affected leukocyte apoptosis to varying degrees. Enhanced leukocyte apoptosis was detected between 4 and 36h after infection and was more pronounced in lymphocytes than in granulocytes. The data presented here thus provide a preliminary understanding of the kinetics of apoptosis in leukocytes of rabbits infected with RHDV.     

An outbreak of rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) caused by Lagovirus europaeus GI.2/rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2) in Ehime, Japan

A total of ten 1–2-year-old rabbits died within 2 weeks at a facility in Ehime prefecture in May 2019. Necropsy revealed liver discoloration and fragility, hemorrhage of some organs and blood coagulation failure. On histopathologic examination, necrotizing hepatitis was a common finding, together with fibrin thrombi in the small vessels and hemorrhage in some organs. Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) virus gene was detected in liver samples, and viral particles of approximately 32 nm in diameter were found in the cytoplasm of degenerated hepatocytes by electron microscopy. Phylogenetic analysis based on the partial VP60 gene sequence classified it as Lagovirus europaeus GI.2/RHDV2. This is the first confirmed outbreak of RHD caused by globally emerging GI.2/RHDV2 in Japan.     

应用免疫组化PAP法检测兔出血症病毒抗原的动态分布

应用免疫组化PAP法检测了人工感染成年患兔、30～40日龄患兔以及自然感染患兔体内兔出血症病毒（RHDV）抗原的动态分布。结果表明,在成年患兔的肝、肾、脾、胃、十二指肠、睾丸以及幼兔的肝、肾、脾中检出了RHDV抗原;无论在成年或幼龄患兔,RHDV抗原主要位于受侵害细胞胞浆中,少部分位于核中;在成年患兔,RHDV抗原阳性细胞的数量随病程发展而增加,而在幼龄患兔,这种增加趋势不明显。本文还分析了RHDV抗原在患兔体内的动态分布与病变形成之间的关系。     

兔出血症病毒CD株衣壳蛋白(VP60)基因的克隆、核酸及氨基酸序列比较分析

以兔出血症病毒 CD株人工感染家兔 ,发病死亡后 ,取肝脏匀浆 ,用 Trizol试剂从匀浆上清中提取病毒 RNA。根据 Gen Bank已发表序列保守区设计并合成引物 ,采用 RT- PCR方法扩增了 RHDV衣壳蛋白 VP6 0基因。将所扩增片段克隆到 p MD18- T载体上 ,并进行了序列测定 ,测序结果表明 ,CD株 VP6 0基因全长 174 0 bp。该序列与已发表的其他分布于世界各地的 14株 RHDV序列进行了比较和基因进化树分析。无毒株与各强毒株之间的同源性为 85 .3%～86 .5 % ,强毒株间的同源性较高 ,为 92 .1%～ 10 0 %。根据进化树可把强毒株分为 2大群 ,一群为 CD株、Iowa2 0 0 0株、0 0 - 139株、99- 0 5株 ,其余的为另一群。进一步细分 ,还可以分为 4个亚群和 7个组。但毒株之间的地域性差异并不明显。同时根据 15株 RHDV VP6 0基因的核苷酸序列推导了其所编码的氨基酸序列 ,并进行氨基酸序列的比较和亲水性、柔性区、抗原性和表面结构的比较分析。结果显示 ,各毒株氨基酸之间的的同源性在 90 .5 %～ 10 0 %之间 ,其中无毒株与各强毒株之间的同源性为 90 .5 %～ 91.9% ,强毒株间的同源性在 95 %～ 10 0 %之间 ;氨基酸变异分析未发现突变造成的 VP6 0蛋白高级结构的根本性变化     

兔出血症病毒和巴氏杆菌双重PCR检测方法的建立及应用

参照GenBank公布的兔出血症病毒(RHDV)VP60、巴氏杆菌kmt基因序列,设计两对引物,分别用于扩增RHDV的VP60和巴氏杆菌kmt基因的目的片段。通过正交试验,对反应各组分浓度与组合、反应退火温度及反应参数进行优化,最后建立了RHDV、巴氏杆菌双重PCR检测方法并进行临床应用。结果显示:本试验建立的双重PCR检测方法能够特异性地检测RHDV及巴氏杆菌,最低核酸检出限分别达到70 pg和62pg。检测兔源大肠杆菌、葡萄球菌和链球菌,结果均为阴性。用本方法对临床送检的104份病料进行检测,结果检出RHDV与巴氏杆菌混合感染1份,巴氏杆菌单独感染10份,双重PCR检测结果与临床病原分离结果完全一致。表明本试验建立的兔出血症病毒和巴氏杆菌双重PCR检测方法具有良好的临床应用价值。     

兔出血症病毒镇江株的分离鉴定及VP60蛋白活性表达

试验旨在分离兔出血症病毒（rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus,RHDV）镇江株,分析其遗传进化变异,并表达具有良好活性的重组VP60蛋白。通过排除细菌感染、血凝（HA）和血凝抑制（HI）检测、动物攻毒试验与病毒传代、LD₅₀测定等方法,自江苏省镇江市某兔场发病死亡动物肝脏组织样品中分离病原并鉴定;RT-PCR方法获得VP60基因,通过分析VP60基因核苷酸及氨基酸序列研究其遗传进化;将VP60基因与pCold-Sumo载体连接,构建低温诱导、融合Sumo标签原核表达载体,15℃、IPTG诱导表达重组VP60蛋白并对表达产物进行反应原性鉴定。结果显示,分离鉴定获得RHDV ZJ2015毒株,该毒株能凝集人"O"型红血球,HA效价为11log2,其血凝性能被RHDV （AV33）抗血清抑制,该毒株的LD₅₀为10^-6.38/mL,具有较强的毒力;RT-PCR扩增得到大小约为1 740 bp的特异性条带,系统进化树分析显示,该毒株属于RHDV1抗原遗传变异株（RHDVa）,与RHDV1和RHDV2 VP60基因核苷酸序列同源性分别为89.4%~97.6%和81.1%~81.5%,氨基酸序列同源性分别为93.8%~98.3%和87.4%~87.6%。构建的低温原核融合表达质粒pCold-VP60在大肠杆菌Rosetta （DE3）中成功表达,通过SDS-PAGE及Western blotting分析,在分子质量74 ku处有特异性表达蛋白条带,且与抗血清发生特异性抗原抗体结合反应,说明重组蛋白具有良好的反应原性。本研究为开展兔病毒性出血症流行病学研究、开发新型重组疫苗与诊断试剂提供参考依据。     

兔病毒性出血症病毒间接ELISA抗体检测试剂盒的研制及其临床应用

为了建立一种快速的兔病毒性出血症病毒抗体检测方法,本研究参照已发表的RHDV基因序列,RT-PCR扩增了长约510bp的VP60基因片段,连接PGEX-4T-1表达载体后获得了以包涵体形式表达的重组VP60蛋白。重组蛋白纯化后,经免疫印迹检测证明具有良好的抗原性和特异性。以该蛋白作为诊断抗原,建立了检测兔病毒性出血症病毒抗体的VP60-ELISA诊断方法。该诊断方法具有良好的敏感性、特异性和重复性,为RHDV的快速诊断、免疫兔群抗体监测和实验兔等级检测提供了一种快速、简便的血清学诊断方法。     

Autophagic response in the Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease,an animal model of virally-induced fulminant hepatic failure

The Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV) induces a severe disease that fulfils many requirements of an animal model of fulminant hepatic failure. However, a better knowledge of molecular mechanisms contributing to liver damage is required, and it is unknown whether the RHDV induces liver autophagy and how it relates to apoptosis. In this study, we attempted to explore which signalling pathways were involved in the autophagic response induced by the RHDV and to characterize their role in the context of RHDV pathogenesis. Rabbits were infected with 2 × 10⁴ hemmaglutination units of a RHDV isolate. The autophagic response was measured as presence of autophagic vesicles, LC3 staining, conversion of LC3-I to autophagosome-associated LC3-II and changes in expression of beclin-1, UVRAG, Atg5, Atg12, Atg16L1 and p62/SQSTM1. RHDV-triggered autophagy reached a maximum at 24 hours post-infection (hpi) and declined at 30 and 36 hpi. Phosphorylation of mTOR also augmented in early periods of infection and there was an increase in the expression of the endoplasmic reticulum chaperones BiP/GRP78, CHOP and GRP94. Apoptosis, measured as caspase-3 activity and expression of PARP-1, increased significantly at 30 and 36 hpi in parallel to the maximal expression of the RHDV capsid protein VP60. These data indicate that RHDV infection initiates a rapid autophagic response, perhaps in an attempt to protect liver, which associates to ER stress development and is independent from downregulation of the major autophagy suppressor mTOR. As the infection continues and the autophagic response declines, cells begin to exhibit apoptosis.