Application of a radioimmunoassay for detection of the major internal antigen (p24) of bovine leukemia virus from cultured lymphocytes of cattle

A sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay for the major internal antigen of bovine leukemia virus has been applied to detecting this protein in cultured lymphocytes of infected cattle. The specificity inherent in this assay offers obvious advantages over a previously described syncytium induction assay for infectious bovine leukemia virus, because false positive reactions due to other viruses such as bovine syncytial virus are avoided. Investigations of various culture conditions indicated that maximal amounts of antigen had been produced after incubation for 72 hr at 37°C. Lymphocyte concentrations of 10⁶?5×10⁷ cells/ml gave satisfactory results. Tests of cultured lymphocytes from bovine leukemia virus infected or bovine leukemia virus-free cattle indicated a comparable sensitivity between the radioimmunoassay and syncytium induction assay in the detection of bovine leukemia virus infections.     

Molecular characterization of RNA and protein synthesis during a one-step growth curve of bovine viral diarrhoea virus in ovine (SFT-R) cells

The aim of this study was to determine the kinetics of noncytopathic bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) multiplication and synthesis of BVDV specific RNA and proteins in ovine cells (SFT-R) during a one-step growth curve. The virus titre and RNA level were determined by focus-forming assay and real time RT-PCR. The RNA synthesis was detected by Northern blot while synthesis of E2 and NS3 proteins was assayed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The results showed that synthesis of viral RNA is initiated at 4 h, NS3 and E2 proteins are detectable at 6-7 h and the replication cycle is complete at 10-12 h. Additionally, we provide evidence that NS2-3 protein was cleaved in ovine cells early during infection and in proliferated leukocytes of acutely infected sheep. This study showed that synthesis of BVDV RNA and proteins in ovine cells occurs at similar times as found in bovine cells.