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.     

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。     

Codon optimization of the rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) capsid gene leads to increased gene expression in Spodoptera frugiperda 9 (Sf9) cells

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) is contagious and highly lethal. Commercial vaccines against RHD are produced from the livers of experimentally infected rabbits. Although several groups have reported that recombinant subunit vaccines against rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) are promising, application of the vaccines has been restricted due to high production costs or low yield. In the present study, we performed codon optimization of the capsid gene to increase the number of preference codons and eliminate rare codons in Spodoptera frugiperda 9 (Sf9) cells. The capsid gene was then subcloned into the pFastBac plasmid, and the recombinant baculoviruses were identified with a plaque assay. As expected, expression of the optimized capsid protein was markedly increased in the Sf9 cells, and the recombinant capsid proteins self-assembled into virus-like particles (VLPs) that were released into the cell supernatant. Rabbits inoculated with the supernatant and the purified VLPs were protected against RHDV challenge. A rapid, specific antibody response against RHDV was detected by an ELISA in all of the experimental groups. In conclusion, this strategy of producing a recombinant subunit vaccine antigen can be used to develop a low-cost, insect cell-derived recombinant subunit vaccine against RHDV.     

中国株兔出血症病毒衣壳蛋白VP60基因在大肠杆菌中的表达及其免疫原性鉴定

应用RT—PCR技术扩增编码兔出血症病毒(rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus,RHDV)WX84株衣壳蛋白VP60基因，将PCR产物按相应的阅读框架克隆到表达性载体pGEX-6P-1中谷胱甘肽转移酶(GST)基因的下游。将重组质粒转化入大肠杆菌BL21株，在1．0mmol／L 1PTG和37C的条件下诱导，VP60—GST基因融合蛋白获了高效表达。经聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳和western-blotting试验证实所表达的融合蛋白产物相对分子质量与预期的87000相符。将表达产物经电泳切胶回收目的条带后免疫小鼠，所得抗血清应用间接ELISA检测，与RHDV病毒粒子呈阳性反应。试验结果表明，大肠杆菌中表达的RHDVVP60融合蛋白在抗原性上与天然衣壳蛋白具有一定的相似性。     

兔出血症病毒衣壳蛋白VP60与兔肝脏细胞中相互作用蛋白的初步筛选

为鉴定兔出血症病毒(RHDV)在感染兔肝脏过程中与肝细胞膜表面相互作用的靶蛋白,本研究利用SMART文库构建技术构建了兔肝脏细胞的真核表达cDNA重组质粒文库,将其转染SP2/0细胞,经嘌呤霉素筛选表达兔肝细胞蛋白的阳性SP2/0细胞.以RHDV-VP60蛋白作为固相包被抗原,经筛选,获得能够与VP60蛋白相互结合的表达性阳性SP2/0细胞克隆.测序表明26个克隆与兔的一些功能性蛋白有较高的同源性,其中包括代谢酶类13个、免疫信号通路受体蛋白5个以及其他细胞膜蛋白等.本研究鉴定的与RHDV VP60具有结合性的细胞蛋白为RHDV感染机制的研究奠定了基础.     

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.     

Generation and efficacy evaluation of a recombinant adenovirus expressing the E2 protein of classical swine fever virus

Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) is the causative agent of classical swine fever (CSF), which causes significant economic losses to the pig industry worldwide. The E2 glycoprotein of CSFV is the main target for neutralizing antibodies. This study was aimed to develop a recombinant human adenovirus type 5 expressing the CSFV E2 gene (rAdV-E2) and evaluate its efficacy in rabbits and pigs. The results showed that the rabbits and the pigs immunized with the rAdV-E2 developed high-level CSFV-specific neutralizing antibodies. The rAdV-E2-immunized rabbits were protected from fever induced by infection with C-strain, which is pathogenic to the rabbit, and the rAdV-E2-immunized pigs were protected from lethal challenge with highly virulent Shimen strain. This indicates that the recombinant adenovirus can be an attractive candidate vaccine for preventing CSF.     

西藏林芝地区首次发现兔出血症病毒血清亚型

经交互保护试验发现,用西藏兔出血症病毒制备的疫苗免疫家兔后能抵抗同源病毒和江苏兔出血症病毒攻击,保护率均为１００％;而用江苏兔出血症病毒制备的疫苗对西藏兔出血症病毒却不能提供有效的保护,保护率仅为３３．３％。交互血凝抑制和琼脂扩散试验表明,两者在血凝素抗原及琼脂扩散抗原上均存在较大差异。首次发现兔出血症病毒血清亚型。     

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。     

Novel bivalent vectored vaccine for control of myxomatosis and rabbit haemorrhagic disease

A novel, recombinant myxoma virus-rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) vaccine has been developed for the prevention of myxomatosis and rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD). A number of laboratory studies are described illustrating the safety and efficacy of the vaccine following subcutaneous administration in laboratory rabbits from four weeks of age onwards. In these studies, both vaccinated and unvaccinated control rabbits were challenged using pathogenic strains of RHD and myxoma viruses, and 100 per cent of the vaccinated rabbits were protected against both myxomatosis and RHD.     

兔瘟病毒VP60蛋白原核表达及其应用

为获得活性良好的兔出血症病毒基因工程抗原,本研究对兔出血症病毒ZB分离株的VP60基因进行了原核表达与初步应用。参照ZB株分离病毒VP60基因序列,设计合成一对特异性引物,PCR扩增长876bp的VP60基因片段。将目的片段定向克隆至pET30a表达载体中,经鉴定正确后,重组质粒转化BL21表达菌,经IPTG诱导后获得了以包涵体形式表达的重组蛋白,重组蛋白纯化后,Western blot检测表明具有良好的抗原性与特异性,以该蛋白作为诊断抗原,初步建立了检测兔瘟病毒抗体的间接ELISA诊断方法。本研究为RHDV分子流行病学调查提供了参考,为VP60蛋白结构与功能研究、RHDV抗体检测试剂盒及新型疫苗的研制奠定基础。     

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.     

水貂生长激素的原核表达及特异性抗血清制备

本研究旨在建立水貂生长激素（mink growth hormone,mGH）的原核高效表达体系,探索mGH蛋白规模化生产方法,利用获得的目的蛋白制备特异抗血清。将已构建的原核表达载体pET28b-mGH转化大肠杆菌Rosetta（DE3）^TM pLysS感受态细胞,经IPTG诱导表达,超声破碎菌体后离心获得包涵体蛋白,利用8 mol/L尿素对其进行溶解和复性,经Ni-NTA树脂亲和层析纯化获得重组蛋白。通过Western blotting检测及MALDI-TOF-MS质谱分析对获得的蛋白进行鉴定。用SDS-PAGE电泳法检测蛋白纯度,用BCA法测定其浓度。复性mGH蛋白与完全弗氏佐剂或不完全弗氏佐剂乳化制备免疫抗原,采用皮下多点注射法免疫3只新西兰大白兔,首次免疫剂量为600 μg/只,二免剂量为600 μg/只,三免剂量为400 μg/只。三免10 d后分离制备血清,Western blotting法检测其特异性,间接ELISA法检测其效价。结果表明,原核表达的包涵体经Ni-NTA柱纯化后所得蛋白鉴定为mGH融合蛋白;SDS-PAGE电泳鉴定复性mGH蛋白条带单一,纯度达90%以上,BCA法计算蛋白浓度为669 μg/mL,均达到了免疫动物的要求;制备的抗血清经Western blotting检测具有良好的结合特异性,间接ELISA法测定其抗体效价达1：256 000以上。上述结果表明,原核表达载体pET28b-mGH可在大肠杆菌Rosetta（DE3）^TM pLysS细胞中高效表达mGH融合蛋白,表达蛋白经变性、复性和纯化后免疫新西兰大白兔,可制备高效价特异性抗血清。     

A serial cross-sectional study of the prevalence of rabbit haemorrhagic disease on three farms in the lower North Island of New Zealand

AIM: To estimate over a 3-year period following the first release of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) the prevalence of rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) and the abundance of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in an area that historically had low rabbit densities. METHODS: Three farms grazing predominantly sheep and beef cattle, located close together and with low initial rabbit densities, were selected for study. RHDV had been deliberately released on all farms in December 1997. Farms were visited 2-3 times per year between June 1998 and April 2001. At each visit, rabbits were shot with the aid of spotlights at night and blood samples were collected for detection of RHDV antibodies. Rabbit carcasses were necropsied and the age of the animals was determined. Rabbit abundance on each property was measured throughout the study using spotlight night counts. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with the risk of carcasses being seropositive for RHDV. RESULTS: Rabbit density differed initially between farms (8.2, 9.9, 2.3 rabbits per spotlight km in June 1998), and declined on all three properties over time (1.2, 2.4, 1.1 rabbits per spotlight km in November 2000). Highest antibody titres to RHDV were initially evident on the farm on which rabbits were most abundant. The average prevalence of seropositive rabbits overall was 21% (95% CI=15-28%). Female rabbits tended to be less likely to be seropositive for RHDV than males (OR=0.47; 95% CI=0.21-1.02). The odds of becoming seropositive were reduced for rabbits born in the breeding season of 1999-2000 (OR=0.17; 95% CI=0.05-0.64). CONCLUSIONS: The temporal pattern of outbreaks measured by peaks of seroprevalence differed between closely-spaced farms when they had different rabbit densities, but were similar when rabbit densities were similar. Microclimate and vegetation influencing abundance of insect vectors for RHDV and intrinsic population-related factors like rabbit breeding behaviour are also likely to be involved in local patterns of spread.     

A serial cross-sectional study of the prevalence of rabbit haemorrhagic disease on three farms in the lower North Island of New Zealand

AIM: To estimate over a 3-year period following the first release of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) the prevalence of rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) and the abundance of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in an area that historically had low rabbit densities.

METHODS: Three farms grazing predominantly sheep and beef cattle, located close together and with low initial rabbit densities, were selected for study. RHDV had been deliberately released on all farms in December 1997. Farms were visited 2–3 times per year between June 1998 and April 2001. At each visit, rabbits were shot with the aid of spotlights at night and blood samples were collected for detection of RHDV antibodies. Rabbit carcasses were necropsied and the age of the animals was determined. Rabbit abundance on each property was measured throughout the study using spotlight night counts. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with the risk of carcasses being seropositive for RHDV.

RESULTS: Rabbit density differed initially between farms (8.2, 9.9, 2.3 rabbits per spotlight km in June 1998), and declined on all three properties over time (1.2, 2.4, 1.1 rabbits per spotlight km in November 2000). Highest antibody titres to RHDV were initially evident on the farm on which rabbits were most abundant. The average prevalence of seropositive rabbits overall was 21% (95% CI=15–28%). Female rabbits tended to be less likely to be seropositive for RHDV than males (OR=0.47; 95% CI=0.21–1.02). The odds of becoming seropositive were reduced for rabbits born in the breeding season of 1999–2000 (OR=0.17; 95% CI=0.05–0.64).

CONCLUSIONS: The temporal pattern of outbreaks measured by peaks of seroprevalence differed between closely-spaced farms when they had different rabbit densities, but were similar when rabbit densities were similar. Microclimate and vegetation influencing abundance of insect vectors for RHDV and intrinsic population-related factors like rabbit breeding behaviour are also likely to be involved in local patterns of spread.     

用抗原免疫构建分泌兔出血症病毒抗独特型抗体的杂交瘤细胞

用纯化的兔出血症病毒（ｒａｂｂｉｔｈａｅｍｏｒｈａｇｉｃｄｉｓｅａｓｅｖｉｒｕｓ,简称,ＲＨＤＶ）免疫Ｂａｌｂ／ｃ小鼠。正如网络学说所指出的,从免疫鼠的杂交瘤细胞克隆中,不仅筛选出能分泌抗ＲＨＤＶ抗体（Ａｂ１）的细胞克隆,同时也筛选出能分泌抗ＲＨＤＶ独特型抗体（ａｎｔｉ－ｉｄｉｏｔｙｐｉｃａｎｔｉｂｏｄｉｅｓ,Ａｂ２）的杂交瘤细胞,用抗原而不用单克隆抗体（Ａｂ１）免疫,诱导产生抗独特型抗体（Ａｂ２）是一种具有广阔的应用前景的新技术     

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。     

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.