Polyclonal activation of B cells occurs in lymphoid organs from porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV)-infected pigs

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) induces a persistent viral infection associated with an inefficient humoral immune response. A study of lymphoid B cells and specific humoral immune response was performed in blood and several lymphoid organs collected from PRRSV experimentally-infected pigs. Groups of specific pathogen-free (SPF) pigs were infected with the LHVA-93-3 isolate of PRRSV, and blood, tonsils, spleen and mediastinal lymph nodes (MLN) were collected at various times postinfection (p.i.) (3-60 days). Lymphoid cells were isolated, immunolabeled for cytofluorometric determination of B cell percentages, used for counting specific anti-PRRSV antibody secreting B cells by an ELISPOT assay, or cultured for metabolic activity. The presence of anti-PRRSV antibodies in the serum of infected pigs was determined using a commercial ELISA assay. Virus detection was performed in all tissues, including lungs, by virus isolation and RT-PCR. The results show that percentages of B cells increased in tonsils as soon as 3 days until 17 days p.i. in PRRSV-infected pigs while they increased in spleen at 3 days p.i. only, due to an increase of larger Ig(high)-producing B cells. Metabolic activity of lymphoid cells from blood and spleen increased at 3 days p.i. only while lymphoid cells from tonsils and MLN transiently decreased at that time and increased thereafter up to 60 days p.i. Anti-PRRSV antibody-secreting B cells occurred in tonsils after 10 days p.i. and strongly increased up to 60 days p.i. However, specific anti-PRRSV-secreting B cells were detected in blood and spleen after 17 days p.i and in MLN only after 45 days p.i. Specific antibodies were detectable in serum at 10 days p.i., reached the maximum level at 45 days and remained high up to 60 days p.i. Infectious virus was detected in lungs and MLN as soon as 3 days p.i., and remained detectable up to 45 days p.i. in tonsils of one pig while viral RNA was detected in most organs up to 60 days p.i. In vitro experiments revealed that inactivated virus induced a stimulation of lymphoid cells isolated from PRRSV-infected pigs while it was cytotoxic for lymphoid cells from control pigs. Taken together, these results indicate that viral infection induced simultaneously a polyclonal activation of B cells, mainly in tonsils, and an exaggerated and prolonged specific humoral immune response due to persistent viral infection in lymphoid organs.     

PRRSV SC-1株在人工感染仔猪体内的分布

为研究猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒(PRRSV)在感染猪体内各器官组织的分布,用PRRSV SC-1株人工感染健康断奶仔猪,接毒后23 d,无菌采集试验猪器官组织,用RT-PCR检测其中病毒核酸分布情况。结果显示,心脏、脾脏、肺脏、肾脏、支气管淋巴结、肠系膜淋巴结、腹股沟淋巴结、髂内淋巴结内有病毒核酸,在所有试验猪的肺脏、腹股沟淋巴结都检测到了病毒核酸。本研究结果为PRRS诊断及病毒分离鉴定提供了一定参考依据。     

Changes in macrophage and lymphocyte subpopulations of lymphoid tissues from pigs infected with the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV)

We used an immunohistochemical method to investigate changes in macrophage and lymphocyte subpopulations in various lymphoid tissues of pigs in the acute phase of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection. The numbers of CD8+ cells and B-cells varied among lymphoid tissues after PRRSV infection. In the infected pigs, numbers of CD8+ cells increased in systemic lymphoid tissues whereas numbers of B-cells increased in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues. There was no difference in the distribution of virus-infected cells and macrophages between lymphoid tissues of the infected pigs. These changes may be associated with the establishment of virus persistence or the emergence of concurrent infection in mucosal organs.     

Effect of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) on alveolar lung macrophage survival and function

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) recently emerged as an important cause of reproductive disorders and pneumonia in domestic pigs throughout the world. Acute cytocidal replication of PRRSV in alveolar lung macrophages causes the acute pneumonia; however, it remains largely unresolved whether there may also be a predisposition to longer-term local immunodeficiency in the PRRSV-convalescent lung. We applied various flow cytometric techniques to study the interplay between PRRSV replication and macrophage viability/function in pure cultures of porcine alveolar lung macrophages. Monitored by flow cytometric detection of intracellular PRRSV nucleocapsid protein, acute (24 h post infection) PRRSV replication did not impede the ability of alveolar macrophages to ingest fluorescently labelled Escherichia coli. At 48 h post infection, PRRSV-induced cytotoxicity (quantitated by flow analysis of cell size and membrane integrity) led to 40% reduction in the total number of phagocytozing cells. However, viable/uninfected macrophages in PRRSV-infected cultures exhibited normal phagocytic ability at 48 h, indicating that no soluble phagocytosis-suppressive mediators were induced by PRRSV infection in this system. In short, in our minimal system containing only a single cell type, phagocytosis-suppressive effects of PRRSV infection were detected, that acted at the culture level by reducing the total number of alveolar lung macrophages.     

猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒和致病性沙门氏菌的混合感染

2003年9～11月某猪场发生母猪持续性繁殖障碍和7日龄仔猪呼吸困难、寒颤、下痢、体温升高和实质性器官出血为主要特征的疾病。3头发病仔猪的病变组织用RT-PCR检测。均为猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒(PRRSV)阳性；由3头发病猪病料中所分离的细菌。可于普通琼脂、伊红美蓝和麦康凯琼脂培养基上生长，革兰氏染色阴性，形态与组织触片镜检及生化反应特性与沙门氏菌一致，可致死小鼠。仅对头孢唑啉呈中度敏感。结合该病的流行病学调查、临床症状、病理剖检，确诊为猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒(PRRSV)和致病性沙门氏菌混合感染。     

In utero infection with PRRS virus modulates cellular functions of blood monocytes and alveolar lung macrophages in piglets

The putative immunosuppressive effect of PRRS virus (PRRSV) on innate immune responses was studied in piglets infected in utero with PRRSV. Phagocytosis and oxidative burst capacities in 2-, 4- and 6-week-old in utero infected piglets were investigated and compared with age-matched control piglets. Phagocytic capacity of blood monocytes against Salmonella bacteria was investigated by flow cytometry. Oxidative burst in blood monocytes and in alveolar lung macrophages was investigated by luminol- and lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence, respectively. Decreased phagocytosis against Salmonella was found in blood monocytes from 4- and 6-week-old infected piglets compared to controls. In contrast, 2-week-old infected piglets showed phagocytic responses comparable to age matched control piglets. While oxidative burst capacity was increased in blood (PBMC) from in utero PRRSV infected piglets, the oxidative burst capacity of alveolar lung macrophages was decreased, especially in 2- and 4-week-old piglets, compared to age-matched control piglets. The present results indicate that in utero infection with PRRSV inhibits phagocytosis against Salmonella in blood monocytes as well as the oxidative burst capacity of alveolar macrophages. These observations indicate that PRRSV in utero infection induces at state of immunosuppression in piglets paving the way for enhanced secondary infections.     

不同毒力猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒对仔猪肺和外周免疫器官损伤的研究

为研究不同毒力的PRRSV对仔猪肺脏和外周免疫器官损伤的差异,本实验分别采用PRRSV变异株(HuN4株)和PRRSV经典株(CH-1a株)感染35日龄健康的断奶仔猪,并在感染后0 d、3 d、7 d、10 d和14 d各迫杀3头,检测肺、颌下淋巴结、肠系淋巴结、腹股沟淋巴结、扁桃体和脾脏的病毒载量及病理变化情况,同时检测血清中抗PRRSV的抗体水平。结果表明:感染后3 d肺脏及各免疫器官可检测到病毒,HuN4感染组病毒载量比CH-1a感染组病毒载量高1 000倍;HuN4感染组病毒载量峰值出现在感染后10 d,而CH-1a感染组维持着较低水平的病毒载量。组织病理学检测显示HuN4感染组淋巴结内淋巴细胞显著减少,呈空泡状;CH-1a感染组淋巴结内淋巴细胞轻度减少,呈星隙状。本实验表明HuN4株比CH-1a株对肺和外周免疫器官造成更严重的损伤。     

Immunohistochemical detection of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus using colloidal gold.

Two cytopathic agents were isolated on porcine alveolar macrophages following inoculation with homogenates of lung tissues from pigs showing respiratory problems. These isolates were identified as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus isolates by indirect immunofluorescence using a PRRS virus (PRRSV) specific monoclonal antibody (MAb) and were designated as LHVA-92-1 and LHVA-92-2. Immunogold electron microscopy using a porcine PRRS positive serum pool and protein A-gold resulted in an intense labelling of aggregates of viral particles. Dark specific cytoplasmic staining of porcine alveolar macrophages infected with both virus isolates could be observed by immunogold silver staining (IGSS) using the specific MAb. This method proved effective in detecting PRRSV antigens in several ethanol-fixed tissues of piglets intranasally inoculated with the supernatants of macrophages infected with each isolate. Immunogold silver staining was also successfully used for the detection of PRRSV antigens on sections of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded lung tissues and on frozen sections of lungs. The present results indicate that colloidal gold may be useful for the identification and immunohistochemical detection of PRRSV in tissues.     

Heterologous challenge with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) vaccine virus: no evidence of reactivation of previous European-type PRRS virus infection.

In Denmark, a porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) control programme, comprising vaccination of seropositive herds with a live American type PRRSV vaccine, was started in 1996. In several of these herds, spread of vaccine virus from vaccinated 3-18 week old pigs to non-vaccinated sows was demonstrated by the isolation of vaccine virus from fetuses and stillborn piglets. Surprisingly, sows infected with the American type vaccine strain consistently exhibited significantly stronger serological responses towards European type PRRSV than American type PRRSV. In order to elucidate whether the unexpectedly strong serological reaction towards European-type PRRSV in American type PRRSV infected sows was due to a booster reaction, or reactivation of an unrecognized, latent infection in the sows with European type PRRSV, a challenge study with the vaccine was carried out. In this study, the stronger serological response towards European type PRRSV than towards American type PRRSV was reproduced, and reactivation of the previous natural infection with European PRRSV could neither be demonstrated by virus isolation nor by RT-PCR. So, the increase in antibody titers towards European PRRSV in previously European PRRSV infected pigs after challenge with the vaccine strain seems to be the result of a boosting effect on the immune system, induced by the heterologous vaccine PRRSV strain.     

鸭瘟病毒强毒株在感染鸭实质器官内的增殖与分布

鸭瘟病毒(DPV)CHv强毒株经皮下注射、滴鼻和口服3种途径分别感染20日龄天府肉鸭,于攻毒后10、30、60、90min以及4、12、48、72h和9、15d每组分别剖杀2只鸭,采集心、肝、脾、肺、肾、脑、胸腺、法氏囊、哈德氏腺等实质器官,应用TaqMan-MGB探针实时荧光定量PCR对DPV在这些器官的分布和增殖进行检测。结果表明,DPV分布到具体器官的速度与感染的途径、鸭的解剖结构密切相关,其中皮下注射是DPV分布到各实质器官速度最快的途径。30min于皮下感染鸭的肝、脾、胸腺、法氏囊、哈德氏腺、肺、脑、肾,口服感染鸭的肺和法氏囊,滴鼻感染鸭的心脏和哈德氏腺均检测到DPV-DNA;90min所有受检样品中检测到DPV-DNA。鸭抗DPV感染的免疫器官的重要性依次是脾、胸腺、法氏囊和哈德氏腺,30min内DPV-DNA分布到脾、胸腺、法氏囊的速度和数量决定了DPV感染的潜伏期和疾病的严重程度。不同途经感染鸭的相同器官在同一时间内的DPV-DNA拷贝数大多以皮下感染鸭为最高。DPV致死鸭的法氏囊和肾是DPV-DNA含量最高的实质器官。     

寡核苷酸探针原位检测石蜡切片中PRRSV核酸

根据GenBank收录的美洲型猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒（PRRSV）ATCCVR-2332株ORF6和ORF7基因序列，用O1igo软件设计并合成大小为37bp的寡核苷酸探针，经生物素标记后，成功建立了原住检测石蜡组织切片中PRRSV核酸的方法。该探针能检测到56PgPRRSV核酸的RT—PCR产物DNA，能特异检测出PRRSV核酸及其PCR产物，而对猪瘟病毒（HCV）、猪细小病毒（PPV）、猪伪狂犬病病毒（PRV）、猪乙脑病毒（JEV）的核酸呈阴性反应。应用该方法检测PRRSVSC-1株人工感染的28日龄仔猪，在感染后7d即可在肺脏、肾脏、扁桃体、胸腺、肺门淋巴结、十二指肠和大脑检测到PRRSV核酸。该法可用于仔猪PRRSV感染的诊断和组织中核酸的定位及分布研究，也可用于甲醛固定组织的回顾性诊断。     

Evidence for the localization of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) antigen and RNA in ovarian follicles in gilts

The pathogenesis of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection in ovary was studied in sexually mature, cycling, nonsynchronized gilts infected with the PRRSV 16244B, a virulent field strain. Previous studies have shown that PRRSV can be isolated from ovaries and is transplacentally passed from gilts to the fetuses. The cause of infertility following PRRSV infection is not known. In this study, we identified the tropism of PRRSV in ovarian tissue from experimentally infected gilts in samples collected between 7 and 21 days postinfection (DPI). Tissues were collected and examined by virus isolation, in situ hybridization (ISH), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and double labeling to identify PRRSV-infected cell types. PRRSV was isolated in ovarian follicles at 7 days DPI. The IHC and ISH indicated that PRRSV-positive cells in ovaries were predominantly macrophages, which were numerous in atretic follicles. No evidence of infection and/or perpetuation of PRRSV in ova was observed, indicating that the female gonad is an unlikely site of persistence. No alteration of the normal ovarian architecture that would support a possible role of PRRSV infection in porcine female infertility was observed.     

Lymphoid tissue tropism of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus replication during persistent infection of pigs originally exposed to virus in utero

The ability of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) to establish a persistent infection is the principal contributing factor to the world-wide spread of the disease. Several studies have documented the course of viral infection in postnatally infected pigs; however, very little is known regarding sites of virus replication during persistent infection of pigs exposed to PRRSV in utero. In this study, virus replication and PRRSV-specific antibody were followed for several hundred days in a group of pigs derived from three sows infected at 90 days of gestation with PRRSV isolate VR-2332. Eighty-four percent of pigs were born viremic with a mortality of 54% within 21 days after birth. At approximately 60 days sera from pigs were negative for virus by virus isolation. Analysis of virus replication in the tissues of pigs randomly sacrificed between 63 and 132 days showed no evidence of virus in lung and other non-lymphoid organs. However, virus was easily recovered from tonsil and lymph nodes and in situ hybridization identified these tissues as sites of virus replication. Even though replication was at a low level, virus was easily transmitted to sentinel pigs. By 260 days pigs became seronegative and did not transmit virus to sentinel pigs. Sacrifice of remaining pigs after 300 days showed no evidence of virus in blood and tissues. This study shows that congenital PRRSV-infected pigs can support virus replication for an extended period during which virus replication is primarily restricted to tonsil and lymph nodes.     

高致病性猪蓝耳病病毒吉林株的分离鉴定及生物学特性

从吉林某猪场采集曾接种过猪繁殖与呼吸综合征疫苗的发病猪病料,经RT-PCR初步鉴定为猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒后,利用反转录合成cDNA,用针对PRRSV M、N基因片段设计的特异性引物进行扩增及电泳,在紫外凝胶成像系统下可见约为660bp特异性扩增条带。解剖发病仔猪,发现其有HP-PRRSV发病的特征,两耳及鼻端淤血,呈蓝紫色,肺部等内脏器官淤血呈暗红色。病理组织切片显示,病猪有典型的间质性肺炎的特征性病理变化。将其接种于Marc-145细胞后,在培养至第4代时出现典型的细胞病变（CPE）,表现为细胞聚集成丛、随后固缩、变圆、脱落;经Reed-Muench法计算得出两PRRSV分离株的病毒滴度分别为10-5.30 TCID50/0.1mL和10-5.53TCID50/0.1mL。用间接免疫荧光试验观察到在接种病料的Marc-145细胞胞浆内出现特异性荧光,而未接种PRRSV的细胞对照则未见到荧光反应。     

An investigation of susceptibility to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus between two genetically diverse commercial lines of pigs

The objective of this study was to determine whether host genetics play a role in susceptibility to the respiratory disease in growing pigs caused by the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). Based on a previous study, 2 genetically diverse commercial lines of pigs that also were divergent in the susceptibility of monocyte-derived macrophages to PRRSV infection in vitro were selected for an in vivo challenge study. Based on the average percentage of infected macrophages for each line, a line derived from the Large White breed was characterized as fluorescence-activated cell sorting(hi) (FACS(hi)), and a line derived from Duroc and Pietrain breeds was characterized as FACS(lo). Pigs from each line were challenged at 6 wk of age with PRRSV VR-2385 and necropsied at 10 or 21 d after infection. Data collected included clinical evaluation of disease, virus titration in serum and lung lavage fluid, macroscopic lung lesion scores, and microscopic lung lesion scores. The FACS(lo) line had consistently more severe clinical disease compared with the FACS(hi) line in the early stages of infection. Differences between line means were significant (P < 0.05) at 10 d after infection for all variables just described, and the FACS(lo) line showed more severe signs of disease. By 21 d after infection, clinical signs and lesions were resolving, and the differences between lines were significant (P < 0.04) only for microscopic lung lesion scores but approached significance (P < 0.08) for virus titer in serum. At 21 d after infection, the relationship between the lines reversed; the FACS(hi) line had higher serum virus titers than the FACS(lo) line. This report provides evidence that strongly suggests the existence of a host genetic component in disease susceptibility to PRRSV and indicates that further study is warranted to define the cellular mechanisms that affect disease susceptibility.     

Effect of virus-specific antibodies on attachment, internalization and infection of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in primary macrophages

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) induces respiratory distress in young pigs and reproductive failure in sows. In PRRSV infected pigs, virus persists for several weeks to several months. Although IPMA antibodies are detected from 7 days post inoculation (pi), virus neutralizing (VN) antibodies are commonly detected starting from 3 weeks pi with an SN test on Marc-145 cells. Since infection of Marc-145 cells is quite different compared to infection of macrophages, the in vivo target cell, the role of these VN antibodies in in vivo protection is questionable. In our study, we demonstrated that antibodies from pigs early in infection with PRRSV Lelystad virus (14 days pi) showed no neutralization in the SN test on Marc-145 cells, but partially reduced Lelystad virus infection of porcine alveolar macrophages. At 72 days pi, VN antibodies were detected by the SN test on Marc-145 cells, and these protected macrophages completely against Lelystad virus infection. In contrast, these VN antibodies only partially reduced porcine alveolar macrophage infection of a Belgian PRRSV isolate (homologous virus), and had no effect on infection of porcine alveolar macrophages with the American type VR-2332 strain (heterologous virus). Confocal analysis of Lelystad virus attachment and internalization in macrophages showed that antibodies blocked infection through both a reduction in virus attachment, and a reduction of PRRSV internalization. Western immunoblotting analysis revealed that sera from 14 days pi, which showed no neutralization in the SN test on Marc-145 cells but partially reduced Lelystad virus infection of macrophages, predominantly recognized the Lelystad virus N protein, and reacted faintly with the M envelope protein. Sera from 72 days pi, with VN antibodies that blocked infection of Marc-145 cells and PAM, reacted with the N protein and the two major envelope proteins M and GP5. Using the Belgian PRRSV isolate 94V360 an identical but less intense reactivity profile was obtained. VN sera also recognized the VR-2332 N and M protein, but not the GP5 protein.     

我国南方猪高热病的研究(Ⅱ)——猪繁殖与呼吸障碍综合征病毒的分离、鉴定和致病性测定

从我国南方某猪场高热病死猪的组织中分离出能引起Marc145细胞病变的病毒,经过血清中和试验、RT-PCR测定,确定分离物中存在美洲型猪繁殖与呼吸障碍综合征病毒(PRRSV)。将细胞病毒液感染13头55~105日龄健康猪,另有3头健康猪用于同居感染。随意挑取13头中7头再用大肠杆菌培养物加强感染,感染后每天测温,观察临床症状,记录死亡情况和病理变化。结果表明:PRRSV单独感染猪6/6发病,5/6死亡;大肠杆菌与PRRSV混合感染猪7/7发病,5/7死亡;同居感染的3头全部发病,1头死亡。所有感染猪于感染后2~4 d内均出现体温升高。两周后体温下降至正常,直到死亡前体温不再升高。死亡多集中在感染后的34~50d的2周时间内。将圈舍温度升至29℃对感染猪发病无加强作用。死亡猪的病理变化主要表现为严重的出血性、间质性肺炎,肢体远端皮表出血。结果表明,虽然PRRSV感染能够引起猪产生高热和高的发病死亡率,但从发病到死亡时间及某些病理变化上看,和南方猪场的发病死亡猪还存在一定的差异,这可能与猪场的一些激发因子或其他病原混合感染有关,从组织和细胞分离物的电子显微镜照片也证明了这一点。