Porcine interferon-gamma protects swine from foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV)

Porcine interferon-gamma (PoIFN-gamma) fused with glutathione S-transferase (GST) was expressed in Escherichia coli BL(21). Twenty 6-week-old piglets were randomly assigned to four groups. Pigs in groups 1-3 were pretreated with 30 mg, 20 mg, and 10 mg recombinant PoIFN-gamma (rPoIFN-gamma), respectively. Pigs in group 4 (control) were pretreated with GST expressed by the empty plasmid. At 48h postinoculation (hpi), all swine were challenged with FMDV (serotype O). Pigs pretreated with 30 mg rPoIFN-gamma were completely protected from virulent FMDV attack. Pigs given 20 mg rPoIFN-gamma achieved partial protection, and the unprotected piglets showed clinical signs from 68h postchallenge (hpc). Although 10 mg rPoIFN-gamma did not confer protection against FMDV, the pigs pretreated with this dose of rPoIFN-gamma presented clinical signs from 35 hpc, which was later than the control group (14 hpc). These results indicate that PoIFN-gamma can protect swine against attack from FMDV or delay the appearance of clinical signs; the effect is dose dependent.     

Proteomics analysis of porcine serum proteins by LC-MS/MS after foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) infection

To analyze serum proteomics differences between normal and foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV)-infected piglets, an analytical method based on liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used. Samples of venous blood were collected before and after FMDV infection and high abundance serum albumin was removed using a commercial kit. After trypsin digestion, serum samples were processed with LC-MS/MS. Proteins were identified by peptide mass fingerprinting. We found that apolipoprotein A-IV precursor, haptoglobin and probable chemoreceptor glutamine deamidase cheD appeared after FMDV infection in the same piglet. This is believed to be the first time that serum proteomics analysis by LC-MS/MS after FMDV infection has been performed, and our results may provide further information about biomarkers for early diagnosis of FMD in piglets.     

Infection with foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) induces a natural killer (NK) cell response in cattle that is lacking following vaccination

Natural killer (NK) cells play a role in innate antiviral immunity by directly lysing virus-infected cells and producing antiviral cytokines such as interferon gamma (IFN-γ). We developed a system for characterizing the bovine NK response to foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), which causes a disease of cloven-hoofed animals and remains a threat to livestock industries throughout the world. IL-2 stimulation of PBMC resulted in poor killing of human K562 cells, which are often used as NK target cells, while lysis of the bovine BL3.1 cell line was readily detected. Depletion of NKp46-expressing cells revealed that 80% of the killing induced by IL-2 could be attributed to NKp46⁺ cells. In order to characterize the response of NK cells against FMDV in vivo, we infected groups of cattle with three different strains of the virus (A24 Cruzeiro, O1 Manisa, O Hong Kong) and evaluated the cytolytic ability of NK cells through the course of infection. We consistently observed a transient increase in cytolysis, although there was variation in magnitude and kinetics. This increase in cytolysis remained when CD3⁺ cells were removed from the preparation of lymphocytes, indicating that cytolysis was independent of MHC-T cell receptor interaction or γδ T cell activation. In contrast, animals monitored following vaccination against FMDV did not exhibit any increase in NK killing. These data suggest that NK cells play a role in the host immune response of cattle against FMDV, and contrast with the suppression of NK activity previously observed in swine infected with FMDV.     

Estimation of 140S particles in foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) vaccine by using the computer analyzing system

The quantity of 140S particles in inactivated foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) vaccine samples produced in Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccine Production Center (FMD Vaccine Production Center) in Thailand was estimated by the sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation and optical density analysis by using the computer applying system. The soft ware; Chromato Data System (CDS) (Nihon Chromato Works Co., Ltd. Japan) which is prepared for the analysis of chromatography, was applied for the estimation of 140S particles in FMDV vaccine. The quantity of 140S particles in each vaccine sample measured by CDS was mostly ranged from 2-4 micrograms/ml and this quantity was consistent with the results of the other reports. This method is considered to be the available method for estimation of 140S particles in FMDV vaccine as routine assay.     

Changes in mononuclear peripheral blood cells in cattle with foot-and-mouth disease

The percentages and absolute numbers of mononuclear peripheral blood cells (MNC) were studied in vaccinated (Vac) and non-vaccinated (control) cattle, challenged with foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). All Vac cattle but none of the controls resisted challenge. Cell populations were studied immediately before and one week after challenge, by direct and indirect immunofluorescence, using polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against different bovine markers. Total B-lymphocytes, as assessed with polyclonal anti-IgG(H+L) antisera, as well as total mononuclear cells, were normal before and after infection, and did not change in Vac or control groups. Before challenge Vac cattle had higher numbers of IL A-29⁺ (a putative marker for null cells or, alternatively, for γδ T-cells) than control cattle. After challenge, in control cattle, the number of total T-cells, BoT4-bearing (helper) T-cells and BoT8-bearing (cytotoxic/suppressor) T-cells were decreased, while IgM-bearing B-lymphocytes, as well as monocyte/macrophage cells were increased. The number of IL-A29-bearing T-cells did not change after infection in either group. After challenge, Vac cattle also showed increased numbers of IgM-bearing B-lymphocytes and monocyte/macrophage cells, whereas T-subpopulations did not change significantly.     

A serological survey for antibodies against foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) in domestic pigs during outbreaks in Kenya

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is endemic in Kenya and has been well studied in cattle, but not in pigs, yet the role of pigs is recognised in FMD-free areas. This study investigated the presence of antibodies against FMD virus (FMDV) in pigs sampled during a countrywide random survey for FMD in cattle coinciding with SAT 1 FMDV outbreaks in cattle. A total of 191 serum samples were collected from clinically healthy pigs in 17 districts. Forty-two of the 191 sera were from pigs vaccinated against serotypes O/A/SAT 2 FMDV. Antibodies against FMDV non-structural proteins were found in sera from 30 vaccinated and 71 non-vaccinated pigs, altogether 101/191 sera (53 %), and 91 % of these (92/101) also had antibodies measurable by serotype-specific ELISAs, predominantly directed against SAT 1 with titres of 10–320. However, only five high titres against SAT 1 in vaccinated pigs were confirmed by virus neutralisation test (VNT). Due to high degree of agreement between the two ELISAs, it was concluded that positive pigs had been infected with FMDV. Implications of these results for the role of pigs in the epidemiology of FMD in Kenya are discussed, and in-depth studies are recommended.     

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) experimental infection: susceptibility and immune response of adult mice

Adult mice are susceptible to foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) infection only under some experimental conditions. This paper report the results of pathogenesis studies on 4 different strains of mice (CF1, C3H, NIH-nude, BALB-c/J) infected with the cloned and uncloned 0(1)C strain of FMDV. High virus titers were detected in blood and pancreas 12-24 h after infection (p.i.); these persisted for up to 48 h p.i. in CF1 and BALB-c/J mice and 72 h p.i. in the two other mouse strains. Virus titers observed in other organs were lower than those found in blood. In pancreas, and occasionally in salivary glands, oropharynx, heart and testicles, viral antigen was detected by direct immunofluorescent assay. Circulating neutralizing antibodies appeared in CF1 and C3H mice at 72 and 96 h p.i. respectively, and their titers remained unchanged during the 30-day experimental period. Antibodies against viral infection-associated antigen (VIA) were detected for a shorter period. In animals irradiated with 1 LD 50 (total body irradiation), viremia persisted up to 14 days p.i. and a low antibody response was observed which began at the end of viremia. No differences in the response of mice to cloned or uncloned FMDV were observed.     

靶向O型口蹄疫病毒shRNA转基因猪体细胞抗病毒活性研究

为研究靶向O型口蹄疫病毒(FMDV)VP1基因shRNA转基因猪体细胞的抗病毒活性,本实验在成功培育转基因克隆猪的基础上,通过分离与培养转基因猪体细胞,对其shRNA进行PCR和Southern blot检测,并将FMDV感染体细胞中,通过细胞病变(CPE)、间接免疫荧光试验(IFA)和实时荧光定量PCR(Real-time PCR)分析转基因猪体细胞抗FMDV活性。结果表明,转基因猪体细胞基因组DNA中携带有靶向FMDV VP1基因的shRNA基因片段。与非转基因猪体细胞相比,接种FMDV转基因猪体细胞其出现CPE的时间延迟,细胞内病毒含量显著降低,细胞感染病毒36 h时,对细胞中FMDV VP1基因抑制效率为53.6%。表明该靶向FMDV shRNA转基因克隆猪体细胞在体外具有良好的抗病毒活性。本研究为进一步在体内评价转基因动物的抗病毒活性奠定了基础。     

Potential for the transmission of foot-and-mouth disease virus from African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) to cattle

Foot-and-mouth disease viruses of types SAT 1 and SAT 2 isolated from diseased cattle and carrier buffalo, either on the same farm or in the same ecological area within a short time of each other, were compared by T1 oligonucleotide mapping. No similarity was observed between the maps obtained, indicating that the different populations of virus were unique to each species and that no interspecies transmission had occurred.     

Experimental placental transfer of foot-and-mouth disease virus in mice.

An attenuated type O foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus which was virulent for infant, but not for pregnant, mice proved to be superior to a virulent type C FMD virus in the development of a model system for the study of placental transfer of FMD in mice. When mice were inoculated at day 8 or 12 of gestation with type O FMD virus, the virus was detectable in the maternal pancreas for 3 days and in the placenta for 6 days. Viral levels in the fetus and the amniotic fluid were inconsistent and were apparently due to a spillover from the placental infection. The elimination of the virus from the placenta coincided with the expected production of maternal 7S antibody. Mice inoculated from days 0 to 12 of gestation did not have a significant increase in dead young by day 18 (the day of necropsy). Similarly inoculated mice, when permitted to go to term, produced and raised normal-size litters. Inoculation on day 15 of gestation resulted in an increased number of deaths due to morbidity of the dams. It was concluded that the placenta serves as an active site of infection for FMD virus in pregnant mice, but the fetus is relatively resistant to infection.     

Asia1型口蹄疫病毒前导蛋白(Lpro)亚细胞定位

为研究Asia 1型口蹄疫病毒(FMDV)前导蛋白(Lpro)亚细胞定位,利用RT-PCR方法获得L基因,将其定向克隆入pEGFP-N1真核表达载体,经PCR扩增、酶切鉴定及序列测定分析,将鉴定为阳性重组表达质粒命名为pEGFP-L.利用脂质体介导法将pEGFP-L转染BHK-21细胞,用荧光显微镜观察和Western blotting.方法检测目的基因的表达,经碘化丙啶(PI)染色后在激光共聚焦显微镜下观察Lpro的亚细胞定位.结果表明,成功构建重组表达质粒pEGFP-L;FMDVL基因在BHK-21细胞中得到表达;western blotting证实表达的Lpro具有反应活性;激光共聚焦显微镜观察发现Lpro在BHK-21细胞中呈弥散性分布.