Trials with Marek's disease vaccines prepared from a turkey herpes virus and an attenuated Marek's disease virus.

In field trials involving over 224,000 fowls in 11 different commercial flocks, three vaccines were used, namely a freeze-dried vaccine prepared from a turkey herpes virus, a cell-associated virus vaccine prepared from the same isolate and a cell-associated vaccine prepared from a strain of Marek's disease virus isolated from a fowl. The mortality from Marek's disease was reduced by 80 per cent to 95 per cent in birds vaccinated with the freeze-dried vaccine. Cell associated vaccines gave slightly less protection.     

Load of challenge Marek's disease virus DNA in blood as a criterion for early diagnosis of Marek's disease tumors

Outbreaks of Marek's disease (MD) in vaccinated flocks still occur sporadically and lead to economic losses. Unfortunately, adequate methods to predict MD outbreaks are lacking. In the present study, we have evaluated whether high load of challenge MD virus (MDV) DNA in peripheral blood could aid in the early diagnosis of MD and in monitoring efficacy of vaccines against MD. One experiment was conducted to simulate field conditions by combining various vaccines (turkey herpesvirus [HVT] and HVT + MDV serotype 2 [SB1]) and challenge viruses (GA, Md5, and 648A). Vaccine efficacy among our experimental groups ranged from 13.3% to 94.2%. Each chicken was sampled three times during the length of the experiment (3, 5, and 15 wk postchallenge [wpc]), and gross lesions were evaluated in chickens that died and at termination of the experiment. DNA was extracted from whole blood and buffy coats from each sample, and the load of challenge MDV DNA and HVT DNA were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Chickens that developed MD by the end of the experiment had higher load of challenge MDV DNA (threshold cycle [Ct] glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase [GAPDH]/Ct glycoprotein B [gB] ratios of 1.0, 1.04, and 1.05 at 3, 5, and 15 wpc, respectively) than those that did not develop MD (Ct GAPDH/Ct gB ratios of 0.7, 0.69, and 0.46 at 3, 5, and 15 wpc, respectively). However, load of HVT DNA in blood was not correlated with the development of tumors (Ct GAPDH/Ct HVT ratios from 0.04 to 0.10 in both groups). Vaccinated groups with >75% protection had statistically significant less challenge DNA virus (Ct GAPDH/Ct gB ratios of 0.76, 0.70, and 0.45 at 3, 5, and 15 wpc, respectively) than less protected groups (Ct GAPDH/Ct gB ratios of 0.92, 0.97, and 0.85 at 3, 5, and 15 wpc, respectively). No differences in the load of HVT DNA could be found between protected and nonprotected groups at any time point of the study (Ct GAPDH/Ct HVT from 0.05 to 0.09 in both groups). Our results showed that load of challenge MDV DNA but not load of HVT DNA in blood can be used as criterion for early diagnosis of MD.     

Effect of acyclovir on the replication of turkey herpesvirus and Marek's disease virus

The toxicity of acyclovir for chick embryo fibroblasts and its effect on the replication of turkey herpesvirus (strain FC 126) and Marek's disease virus (strain HPRS 16) multiplied on fibroblast culture was studied. The influence of using acyclovir on the development of the tumour process in birds infected with a virulent Marek's disease virus was also determined. Acyclovir used in doses below 12.5 micrograms ml-1 proved to be nontoxic for chick embryo fibroblast culture. It inhibited in vitro replication of turkey herpesvirus and Marek's disease virus. It was also shown to diminish the development of tumours in birds infected with Marek's disease virus.     

Derivation, safety and efficacy of a Marek's disease vaccine developed from an Australian isolate of very virulent Marek's disease virus

Objective To develop a serotype 1 Marek's disease (MD) vaccine from a very virulent MDV (vvMDV) pathotype and demonstrate safety and efficacy against early challenge with very virulent field strains in the presence of maternal antibody.
Study design Strain BH 16 was isolated and attenuated by serial cell culture passage. One of two cloned passages was selected for vaccine development following early laboratory-scale protection trials in commercial birds. Comparative protection trials were carried out on the BH 16 vaccine and on a CVI 988 Rispens vaccine using commercial and SPF chickens. Challenge viruses used were either a low passage strain BH 16 virus, the Woodlands No. 1 strain or MPF 57 strain of MDV. The BH 16 vaccine was back-passaged in SPF chickens six times and virus recovered from the final passage and the original vaccine virus were tested for safety. The immunosuppressive potential of the BH 16 and Rispens vaccines was also assessed in parallel.
Results The BH 16 and Rispens vaccines induced comparable levels of protection when used as monovalent or multi-valent vaccines, although protection achieved with the mono-valent vaccines was lower. No gross tumour formation was evident in any birds receiving the BH 16 vaccine or bird-passaged virus, although microscopic lesions were present in 2/12 birds that received the bird-passaged virus. In tests for immunosuppression, there was no histological evidence of damage to either the bursa of Fabricius or the thymus.
Conclusion The BH 16 vaccine was shown to be safe and at least as protective as the Rispens vaccine against three highly virulent MD challenge viruses.     

Derivation,safety and efficacy of a Marek's disease vaccine developed from an Australian isolate of very virulent Marek's disease virus

OBJECTIVE: To develop a serotype 1 Marek's disease (MD) vaccine from a very virulent MDV (vvMDV) pathotype and demonstrate safety and efficacy against early challenge with very virulent field strains in the presence of maternal antibody. STUDY DESIGN: Strain BH 16 was isolated and attenuated by serial cell culture passage. One of two cloned passages was selected for vaccine development following early laboratory-scale protection trials in commercial birds. Comparative protection trials were carded out on the BH 16 vaccine and on a CVI 988 Rispens vaccine using commercial and SPF chickens. Challenge viruses used were either a low passage strain BH 16 virus, the Woodlands No. 1 strain or MPF 57 strain of MDV. The BH 16 vaccine was back-passaged in SPF chickens six times and virus recovered from the final passage and the original vaccine virus were tested for safety. The immunosuppressive potential of the BH 16 and Rispens vaccines was also assessed in parallel. RESULTS: The BH 16 and Rispens vaccines induced comparable levels of protection when used as monovalent or multivalent vaccines, although protection achieved with the monovalent vaccines was lower. No gross tumour formation was evident in any birds receiving the BH 16 vaccine or bird-passaged virus, although microscopic lesions were present in 2/12 birds that received the bird-passaged virus. In tests for immunosuppression, there was no histological evidence of damage to either the bursa of Fabricius or the thymus. CONCLUSION: The BH 16 vaccine was shown to be safe and at least as protective as the Rispens vaccine against three highly virulent MD challenge viruses.     

靶向IRES序列的siRNA对口蹄疫病毒体外增殖抑制效果

为探讨靶向核糖体进入位点(IRES)区域的siRNA在真核细胞中对FMDV复制的抑制作用,对FMDV WFL株的IRES序列进行了保守性分析和二级结构预测,选择了靶向IRES保守的功能核心区的病毒复制原点附近的2个干扰靶位,设计并构建了shRNA真核表达质粒,转染到IBRS-2细胞后感染FMDV,通过双抗夹心ELISA和real-timeRT-PCR检测FMDV复制情况,结果表明,针对IRES区域的RNAi能够在一定程度上抑制FMDV的复制。     

Marek's disease in turkeys. II. Characterization of the viral glycoprotein B gene and antigen of a turkey strain of Marek's disease virus

Marek's disease virus (MDV) causes immunosuppression and tumors in chickens. As sporadic cases of Marek's disease (MD) were recorded in turkeys, the antigenic and genomic characteristics of the MDV glycoprotein B (gB) gene and antigen of turkeys were compared to the chicken MDV gB. The whole chicken and turkey gB genes were sequenced and found identical. By immunoblotting of infected-cell culture lysates using chicken convalescent and gB monoclonal antibodies, the antigenic epitopes of the chicken and turkey viruses were found to differ. The turkey MDV had a unique epitope, compared to the chicken MDV and compared with our previous findings. While the chicken MDV had two epitope types, heat-labile but dithiothreitol (DTT)-stable and heat-stable but DTT-labile, the turkey MDV gB epitope is both heat and DTT-labile.     

Differentiation of oncogenic and nononcogenic strains of Marek's disease virus type 1 by using polymerase chain reaction DNA amplification.

Differentiation of oncogenic and nononcogenic strains of Marek's disease virus type 1 (MDV1) was attempted by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the primers chosen from the sequence within the long inverted repeats of MDV1 DNA. PCR of the DNAs extracted from oncogenic-strain-infected cells and Marek's disease tumor cell lines produced a major product containing two or three copies of 132-base-pair (bp) repeat units, whereas PCRs of the DNAs extracted from nononcogenic-strain-infected cells yielded amplified products with various sizes corresponding to the number of 132-bp repeat units. The primers chosen from the glycoprotein A genes of MDV1 and herpesvirus of turkeys also were used for determination of their serotype specificity. The PCR procedure was found to be a simple and sensitive procedure for identification of MDV1 and herpesvirus of turkeys and for estimation of oncogenicity of MDV1.     

一种提取细胞结合性马立克病毒基因组的新方法及其高效转染

马立克病毒(Marek′s disease virus,MDV)是一种高致瘤性α-疱疹病毒,基因组为166～184 kb的线状双股DNA,同时因为其严格的细胞结合性特点,如何分离纯化病毒DNA,一直阻碍人类对MDV的研究.常规方法制备的病毒基因组中含有大量的细胞基因组,不利于高效转染.通过密度梯度离心法从宿主细胞中分离MDV DNA,由于MDV DNA的浮密度与宿主细胞基因组相近,所以制备时也有细胞DNA的污染[1-2].Robin等用脉冲电泳的方法分离MDV基因组[3],虽然完全去除了宿主细胞基因组,但是这种方法对设备和技术要求都较高,所以没有得到推广.因此发展一种新的提取纯化MDV基因组方法对于MDV的分子生物学研究至关重要.     

靶向传染性法氏囊病病毒VP1基因siRNA对病毒复制的抑制

根据传染性法氏囊病病毒（IBDV）VP1基因保守区序列,选择设计了3个靶向VP1的小干扰RNA序列（siR-NA）：VP1-siRNA668、VP1-siRNA1034和VP1-siRNA2250,化学合成DNA序列,体外转录合成siRNA,转染鸡胚成纤维细胞（CEF）后接种IBDV,分析siRNA对病毒复制的影响。结果显示,病毒接种后72h,3个VP1-siRNA转染组未出现明显的细胞病变（CPE）,病毒滴度分别为102.75,102.00,101.75 TCID50/0.1mL,而siRNACON转染和单纯IBDV接种对照组均出现明显CPE,病毒滴度均为106 TCID50/0.1mL;用荧光定量RT-PCR分析VP1基因水平,3个VP1-siRNA转染组比对照组分别降低了73.10%,81.79%,90.28%。结果表明,本试验选择设计的3个siRNA具有明显抑制IBDV复制功能,其中2 250位点的siRNA抑制效果最明显,推测该区域是VP1基因的重要功能区,是新型抗IBDV药物与疫苗设计的重要靶标。     

一株鸡马立克氏病毒的分离鉴定及其主要致病基因分析

吉林省某地区鸡马立克氏病（MD）疫苗免疫鸡群暴发MD,从发病鸡羽髓中分离到一株适应鸡胚成纤维细胞生长的马立克氏病毒（MDV）。该毒株感染无特定病原体（SPF）鸡可引起典型的MD临床症状：对非免疫鸡和火鸡疱疹病毒（HVT）疫苗免疫鸡的致病率分别为76％和72％,二者无显著差异,表明HVT疫苗对该毒株不能提供有效保护。通过对该毒株病毒基因组中132bp重复序列、meq基因的核苷酸及推导的氨基酸序列分析,发现该毒株的132bp重复序列的拷贝数、meq基因的变异符合高毒力MDV毒株的特点。     

靶向新城疫病毒L基因(功能区)的siRNA抑制新城疫病毒的复制

本研究以新城疫病毒（NDV）L蛋白的功能区（P1595、P2103和P3277酶活性中心结构区）序列为RNAi的靶位点,设计、构建了3个特异性的siRNA的真核表达质粒pSi-L6、pSi-L7和pSi—L9,转染到CEF细胞后接种NDV。间接免疫荧光实验结果显示：pSi-L6、pSi-L7和pSi-L9均能抑制NDV抗原蛋白的表达;Real-time PCR检测到转染pSi-L6、pSi-L7和pSi-L9的CEF细胞中L基因的转录水平分别降低79.1％、93．9％和91.3％,P基因的转录水平分别降低73％、86、3％和89．8％;病毒滴度测定表明转染pSi-L6、pSi-L7和pSi-L9质粒的细胞培养上清中病毒的滴度分别低2、19、3、16和5．24倍。本研究中3个特异性的siRNA均能抑制NDV的复制、增殖,表明P1595、P2103和P3277这3个区域对于L蛋白发挥RNA依赖的RNA聚合酶的功能具有重要作用。     

3株马立克氏病病毒的分离鉴定及其主要致病基因分析

为了解国内鸡群马立克病(MD)毒株目前的流行情况,在我国3个已免疫MD疫苗的白羽肉种鸡场暴发MD的鸡群中,通过临床剖检,组织病理学变化,病毒分离,IFA检测从发病鸡的淋巴细胞中分离到3株马立克氏病毒(MDV),并分别命名为SDAU1501、SDAU1502和SDAU1503。采用PCR方法扩增3株MDV的vIL8、pp38、meq致病基因,所得氨基酸序列与已发表的参考毒株序列进行比较分析,结果显示SDAU1501和SDAU1502的致病基因与强毒株的同源性达到97%以上,具有强毒特征;而SDAU1503的meq基因在第194位具有与CVI988同样的缺失(P),但其没有CVI988中177个核苷酸的插入突变,其具有与弱毒疫苗株的特征。MDV新的变异在不断发生,出现了不同类型的变异株,因此,对MD的流行情况与基因监测应当继续下去;同时,在MDV疫苗的研制更新上还有待于进一步研究。     

Restriction endonuclease analysis of Marek's disease virus DNA: differentiation of viral strains and determination of passage history.

The restriction endonuclease (RE) patterns of DNA from serotype 1 Marek's disease viruses (MDVs) are unique to serotype 1 viruses and can also be used to differentiate between low and high cell-culture-passaged viruses. We compared the RE patterns of DNA from seven serotype 2 and 3 MDVs before and after serial in vitro passage. Passage of four serotype 2 strains resulted in a variety of changes in the RE pattern. Individual strains within a serotype exhibited unique restriction patterns that allowed individual isolates to be differentiated. In a similar manner, the serotype 3 virus strains displayed RE pattern variations that were unique to each strain, as well as differences between low and high cell-culture passage. Our findings, together with earlier reports, suggest that the RE patterns of MDV DNA provide a simple and accurate method to: 1) differentiate between the three MDV serotypes, 2) differentiate between virus strains within a serotype, and 3) determine whether the viruses have been passaged extensively in cell culture.