Comparison of virologic and serologic responses of lambs and calves infected with bluetongue virus serotype 10

Four lambs and 3 calves, seronegative to bluetongue virus (BTV), were inoculated intravenously with a highly plaque-purified strain of BTV Serotype 10. A single calf and lamb served as controls and were inoculated with uninfected cell culture lysate. All BTV-inoculated lambs exhibited mild clinical manifestations of bluetongue, whereas infected calves were asymptomatic. Viremia persisted in BTV-infected lambs for 35-42 days, and for 42-56 days in BTV-infected calves. Neutralizing antibodies were first detected in sera collected at Day 14 post-inoculation (PI) from 2 BTV-infected calves and all 4 infected lambs, and at Day 28 PI in the remaining calf. The appearance of neutralizing antibody in serum did not coincide with clearance of virus from blood; BTV and specific neutralizing antibody coexisted in peripheral blood of infected lambs and calves for as long as 28 days. The sequential development, specificity and intensity of virus protein-specific humoral immune responses of lambs and calves were evaluated by immunoprecipitation of [35S]-labelled proteins in BTV-infected cell lysates by sera collected from inoculated animals at bi-weekly intervals PI. Sera from infected lambs and calves reacted most consistently with BTV structural proteins VP2 and VP7, and nonstructural protein NS2, and less consistently with structural protein VP5, and nonstructural protein NS1. Lambs developed humoral immune responses to individual BTV proteins more rapidly than calves, and one calf had especially weak virus protein-specific humoral immune responses; viremia persisted longer in this calf than any other animal in the study. The clearance of virus from the peripheral blood of BTV-infected lambs and calves is not caused simply by the production of virus-specific neutralizing antibody, however the intensity of humoral immune responses to individual BTV proteins might influence the duration of viremia in different animals.     

Diagnostic methods for African horsesickness virus using monoclonal antibodies to structural and non-structural proteins.

A panel of 32 hybridoma cell lines secreting monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) reactive with African horsesickness virus serotype 4 (AHSV-4) has been developed. Four of the MAbs recognized the major core antigen VP7, twenty recognized the outer capsid protein VP2 and eight reacted with the non-structural protein NS1. With the VP7-specific MAbs a rapid and sensitive double antibody sandwich immunoassay has been developed to detect viral antigen in infected Vero cells and in spleen tissue from AHSV-infected horses. The sensitivity of the assay is 10 ng viral antigen per 100 microliters. The NS1-specific MAbs allowed visualization by immunofluorescence of tubule-like structures in the cytoplasm of infected Vero cells. This can be very useful as a confirmatory diagnostic procedure. The antigenic map of the outer capsid VP2 protein with MAbs is also reported.     

Genetic stability in calves of a single strain of bluetongue virus

Newborn calves were inoculated IV with highly plaque-purified bluetongue virus (BTV), serotype 10. The electrophoretic migration patterns of RNA segments and proteins of viruses isolated from calves at intervals after inoculation were compared. In addition, sera collected from calves at intervals after inoculation were compared for their abilities to neutralize several virus isolates from the same calf. Viremia persisted in calves for up to 56 days. Differences were not detected in the electrophoretic migration pattern of RNA segments or proteins of any of the BTV isolates. All calves produced high titers of neutralizing antibody to the original BTV inoculum by 28 days after inoculation, and significant (greater than or equal to 4-fold) differences were not detected in the neutralizing titers of sera to viruses collected at intervals after inoculation. The plaque-purified strain of BTV appeared to be stable genetically in infected calves, and failure to demonstrate antigenic variation among isolates indicated that antigenic shift was not the mechanism that allowed viremia to persist in BTV-infected calves.     

抗蓝舌病病毒VP6和VP7蛋白单克隆抗体的制备及鉴定

为制备针对蓝舌病病毒(BTV)的单克隆抗体(MAb),本研究利用血清型1型BTV(BTV1)免疫BALB/c鼠,将其脾淋巴细胞与SP2/0进行融合,并用BTV1包被ELISA板,通过间接ELISA方法筛选出3株稳定分泌抗BTV1的MAb的杂交瘤细胞株(2B10、3D4和4H8)。利用表达BTV1主要蛋白的真核表达重组质粒转染BHK-21后,对所制备的杂交瘤细胞株上清进行间接免疫荧光(IFA)以及western blot鉴定,结果显示:2B10和4H8与VP7蛋白反应,而3D4与VP6蛋白反应。同时,IFA鉴定结果进一步表明,3株MAb与24个血清型的BTV均可以发生反应。本研究制备的MAb为建立BTV免疫学检测方法和相关病毒蛋白的功能研究奠定了基础。     

Nontransmission of bluetongue virus by embryos from bluetongue virus-infected sheep

Donor sheep were infected either by bites of bluetongue virus (BTV)-infected (serotype 11, "Texas Station strain") Culicoides variipennis or by inoculation with 100,000 median chicken embryo intravascular lethal doses of BTV (serotype 11) from a suspension made from infected C variipennis. Fourteen embryos from 4 BTV-infected ewes bred by rams not infected with BTV were transferred to 8 BTV-seronegative recipient ewes, and 35 embryos and 4 unfertilized eggs from 14 BTV-infected ewes bred by BTV-infected rams were transferred to 19 BTV-seronegative recipient ewes. Eleven pregnancies and 12 lambs resulted. None of the recipients or lambs seroconverted, and BTV was not isolated from the pregnant recipient ewes or their lambs at slaughter 30 days after parturition.     

Bluetongue virus: virology, pathogenesis and immunity

Bluetongue (BT) virus, an orbivirus of the Reoviridae family encompassing 24 known serotypes, is transmitted to ruminants via certain species of biting midges (Culicoides spp.) and causes thrombo-hemorrhagic fevers mainly in sheep. During the 20th century, BTV was endemic in sub-tropical regions but in the last ten years, new strains of BTV (serotypes 1, 2, 4, 8, 9, 16) have appeared in Europe leading to a devastating disease in naive sheep and bovine herds (serotype 8). BTV enters into insect cells via the viral inner core VP7 protein and in mammalian cells via the external capsid VP2 haemagglutinin, which is the major determinant of BTV serotype and neutralization. BTV replicates in mononuclear phagocytes and endothelial cells where it induces expression of inflammatory cytokines as well as apoptosis. BTV can remain as nonreplicating entities concealed in erythrocytes for up to five months. Homologous protection against one BTV serotype involves neutralizing antibodies and T cell responses directed to the external VP2 and VP5 proteins, whereas heterologous protection is supported by T cells directed to the NS1 non structural protein and inner core proteins. Classical inactivated vaccines directed to a specific serotype generate protective immunity and may help control current epidemic situations. New recombinant vaccine strategies that allow differentiating infected from vaccinated animals and that generate cross protective immunity are urgently needed to efficiently combat this worldwide threatening disease.     

Experimental transmission of bovine viral diseases by insemination with contaminated semen or during embryo transfer

Three experimental approaches were used to study transmission of blue tongue (BT), infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) and bovine virus diarrhoea (BVD) viruses. These were insemination with contaminated semen, experimental infection of embryo donor cows, or transfer of embryos experimentally exposed to virus in vitro to normal recipients. Parameters assessed included number and quality of embryos produced, virus detection (isolation and electron microscopy), serology and histopathology. All superovulated sesceptible cows inseminated with semen containing blue tongue virus (BTV) (n = 2) or infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBRV) (n = 2) became infected. One cow inseminated with semen containing BTV produced seven virus-free seven-day-old embryos; the second cow failed to produce any embryos. One of two cows inseminated with semen containing IBRV produced two underdeveloped, virus-free embryos while no embryos were produced by the second cow. One of two cows inseminated with semen containing bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) became infected. Two poorly developed, virus-free seven-day-old embryos were recovered from one of these cows. Superovulated susceptible cows inoculated either intramuscularly with BTV (n = 3) or intranasally with IBR virus (n = 2) became infected. Virus was isolated from some tissues of two BTV-infected cows, neither of which produced embryos. A third BTV-infected cow produced two virus-free embryos collected at necropsy five days after inoculation. One of two cows experimentally infected with IBR virus, produced three embryos but virus was not detected either by electron microscopy (1 embryo) or in cell culture by cytopathic alterations (1 embryo).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Humoral immune response of calves to bluetongue virus infection

Humoral immune responses of 7 calves to bluetongue virus (BTV) infection were evaluated by plaque-reduction assay and immunoblotting. Most readily interpretable results were obtained with the immunoblot assay when colostrum-deprived calves were used, and sera were reacted with proteins in partially purified extracts of BTV. Viremia persisted in calves for 35 to 56 days, and BTV coexisted in blood for several weeks with virus-specific neutralizing antibody. Calves developed antibody to virus protein 2, the major determinant of virus neutralization, at 14 to 28 days after inoculation; this time interval also coincided with the appearance of neutralizing antibody in serum. Virus clearance in BTV-infected calves did not coincide with humoral immune responses to protein 2 or other virion proteins.     

Susceptibility of a fetal tongue cell line derived from bighorn sheep to five serotypes of bluetongue virus and its potential for the isolation of viruses

A cell line (BHFTE) was derived from a tongue explant of a bighorn sheep fetus (Ovis canadensis nelsoni). The cells have been maintained through 23 serial passages, and the modal number of chromosomes was calculated to be 55. Monolayer cultures were shown to be susceptible to various viruses, including bluetongue virus (BTV). Of 5 BTV serotypes (2, 10, 11, 13, and 17) tested, each produced a cytopathic effect (CPE) on initial passage at 33 C. A field isolate (serotype 10) of BTV from a black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) in its second passage in Vero-M cells also produced CPE when inoculated into BHFTE cells. Antigens of BTV were demonstrated by direct immunofluorescence in the cytoplasm of BHFTE cells inoculated with homogenates of chicken embryos injected with clinical specimens from a domestic sheep and an Arabian oryx (Oryx gazella leucoryx). A suspension of BTV-infected gnats (Culicoides spp.) produced CPE and BTV-specific fluorescence on the first passage in cells inoculated with a suspension of blood from sheep experimentally infected with BTV. Additionally, selected bovine viruses induced CPE in the cells. The cell line, which is free of mycoplasma and bovine viral diarrhea virus contamination, may be useful in diagnostic medicine and research involving the ruminant species.     

蓝舌病病毒衣壳蛋白VP2、VP5、VP7酵母双杂交诱饵质粒的构建及鉴定

蓝舌病病毒(bluetongue virus,BTV)的结构主要由3层衣壳蛋白组成,其中VP2、VP5蛋白构成了BTV的外层衣壳,VP7蛋白构成了BTV的中间衣壳,最内层衣壳则由VP3蛋白构成。VP2、VP5及VP7蛋白在BTV侵染宿主细胞的过程中起着非常重要的作用。为了研究BTV与宿主细胞相互作用的分子机制,本研究将BTV的VP 2、VP 5、VP 7基因分别克隆到pGBKT7载体中,成功构建了pGBKT7-VP2、pGBKT7-VP5与pGBKT7-VP73个诱饵质粒,且通过自激活和毒性验证,证明所构建的3个质粒均无自激活作用,对酵母细胞无毒性作用。本研究为今后利用酵母双杂交筛选VP2、VP5、VP7蛋白中与宿主细胞相互作用的蛋白做好了铺垫,为深入研究BTV与宿主细胞的相互作用奠定了基础。     

Construction and Identification of Yeast Two-hybrid Bait Plasmids of Capsid Proteins VP2, VP5 and VP7 of Bluetongue Virus

The structure of bluetongue virus(BTV) was consisted of three layers of capsid proteins, VP2 and VP5 proteins consisted the outer capsid of BTV, VP7 protein consisted the middle capsid of BTV, VP3 consisted the inner capsid of BTV.When BTV infected host cells, VP2, VP5 and VP7 proteins of BTV played important roles in the process of infecting host cells.In order to study the molecular mechanism of interaction between BTV and host cells, we cloned VP 2, VP 5 and VP 7 genes into pGBKT7 vector, three recombinant bait plasmids pGBKT7-VP2, pGBKT7-VP5 and pGBKT7-VP7 were successfully constructed, and then the self-activation and toxicity of the bait plasmids were tested.The results showed that three bait plasmids all had no self-activation and toxicity to yeast cells.This research made a steppingstone for the screening of host-cell protein interacting with VP2, VP5 and VP7 proteins using yeast two-hybrid system, and laid a foundation for investigating the interaction between BTV and its host cells.     

Dynamics of viral spread in bluetongue virus infected calves

The kinetics of viremia and sites of viral replication in bluetongue virus (BTV) infected calves were characterized by virus isolation, serology and immunofluorescence staining procedures. In addition, the role of the regional lymph node and lymphatics draining inoculated skin in the pathogenesis of BTV infection was determined by analyzing efferent lymph collected from indwelling cannulas. Viremia persisted for 35 to 42 days after inoculation (DAI) and virus co-circulated with neutralizing antibodies for 23 to 26 days. Virus was first isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear (PBM) cells at 3 DAI, after stimulation of PBM cells with interleukin 2 and mitogen. BTV was frequently isolated from erythrocytes, platelets and stimulated PBM cells but never from granulocytes and rarely from plasma during viremia. Virus was consistently isolated from erythrocytes late in the course of veremia. Interruption of efferent lymph flow by cannulation delayed the onset of viremia to 7 DAI. BTV was infrequently isolated from lymph cells, and few fluorescence positive cells were observed after lymph and PBM cells were labelled with a BTV-specific monoclonal antibody. Virus was isolated from spleen by 4 DAI and most tissues by 6 DAI, whereas virus was isolated from bone marrow only at 10 DAI. Virus was not isolated from any tissue after termination of viremia. It is concluded that primary viral replication occurred in the local lymph node and BTV then was transported in low titer to secondary sites of replication via infected lymph and PBM cells. We speculate that virus replication in spleen resulted in release of virus into the circulation and non-selective infection of blood cells which disseminated BTV to other tissues. Virus association with erythrocytes likely was responsible for prolonged viremia, although infected erythrocytes eventually were cleared from the circulation and persistent BTV infection of calves did not occur.     

Avian reovirus replication in mononuclear phagocytes in chicken footpad and spleen after footpad inoculation

Circulating monocytes and tissue macrophages were suggested to be susceptible to avian reovirus (ARV) infection. To determine if ARV infects and replicates in mononuclear phagocytes (KUL01-positive cells), we infected 3-day-old specific-pathogen-free chickens with ARV strain 2408 by inoculation of the left footpad. The left footpads and spleens were collected for analysis at 1.5 and 2.5 d after inoculation. Replication of ARV in the footpad and spleen was demonstrated by detection of the viral protein σNS using immunohistochemical testing and viral S1 RNA expression by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Furthermore, immunofluorescent double-staining assay of cytocentrifuged cells and cryosections of the footpad and spleen for the viral protein σNS and the surface marker recognized by monoclonal antibody (MAb) KUL01 indicated that KUL01-positive cells costained with MAb H1E1, which recognizes ARV protein σNS. In addition, more ARV S1 RNA was measured by qPCR in the KUL01-positive cell samples prepared from the footpad or spleen 1.5 d after inoculation compared with non-KUL01-positive cell samples. The amounts of ARV S1 RNA in the spleen were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than the amounts in the footpad 1.5 d after inoculation. The results suggest that ARV infects mononuclear phagocytes and then replicates within these cells before migrating to the spleen, where it infects and replicates in KUL01-positive cells.     

抗蓝舌病病毒VP7和NS2蛋白单克隆抗体的制备及鉴定

为建立蓝舌病病毒(BTV)的检测方法和研究该病毒蛋白的功能,本研究利用BTV血清8型(BTV8)免疫BALB/c小鼠,取免疫后的小鼠脾淋巴细胞与SP2/0细胞融合,制备单克隆抗体(MAb).并以BTV8作为包被抗原建立间接ELISA方法,经筛选获得了8株稳定分泌抗BTV8 MAb的杂交瘤细胞株(1B2、1F6、2B1、2D10、3B6、3D9、4D4和4D12).Western blot结果显示,MAb 1F6、2B1、2D10、3B6、3D9与BTV8 VP7蛋白反应,MAb B2、4D4、4D12与BTV8 NS2蛋白反应.间接免疫荧光结果显示,该8株MAb与24型BTV血清型呈不同的反应论系.本研究所获得的MAb为建立BTV免疫学检测方法和相关病毒蛋白的功能研究提供了实验依据.     

Serogrouping of United States and some African serotypes of bluetongue virus using RT-PCR

The diagnostic potential of RT-PCR for detection of bluetongue virus (BTV) ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequence in cell culture and tissue samples from infected ruminants from United States, Sudan, South Africa and Senegal, was evaluated. The non structural protein 1 (NS1) gene of North American BTV serotype 11 was targeted for PCR amplification. The United States BTV serotypes 2, 10, 11, 13 and 17 and the Sudanese BTV serotypes 1, 2, 4 and 16 and BTV serotype 4 from South Africa and BTV serotype 2 from Senegal were studied. RNAs from all BTV field isolates used in this study, propagated in cell cultures, were detected by the described RT-PCR-based assay. The first specific 790bp BTV PCR products were amplified using a pair of outer primers (BTV1 and BTV2). Specificity of the PCR products was confirmed by a nested amplification of a 520bp PCR product using a pair of internal (nested) primers (BTV3 and BTV4). The BTV PCR products were visualized on ethidium bromide-stained agarose gels. Amplification products were not detected when the RT-PCR-based assay was applied to RNAs from closely related orbiviruses including, epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) prototypes serotypes 1, 2, 4; RNA from Sudanese isolate of palyam orbiviruses serogroup and total nucleic acid extracts from uninfected Vero cells. Application of the nested BTV RT-PCR to clinical samples resulted in amplification of BTV RNA from blood and serum samples from goats experimentally infected with BTV4 and from naturally infected sheep, goats, cattle and deer. The results of this study indicated that this RT-PCR assay could be applied for rapid detection of BTV, in cell culture and clinical samples from susceptible ruminants during an outbreak of the disease, in the United States and African.     

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus serotype 7 in European cattle and sheep: Diagnostic considerations and effect of previous BTV exposure

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV), an arthropod-borne orbivirus (family Reoviridae), is an emerging pathogen of wild and domestic ruminants that is closely related to bluetongue virus (BTV). The present study examines the outcome of an experimental EHDV-7 infection of Holstein cattle and East Frisian sheep. Apart from na?ve animals that had not been exposed to BTV, it included animals that had been experimentally infected with either BTV-6 or BTV-8 two months earlier. In addition, EHDV-infected cattle were subsequently challenged with BTV-8. Samples were tested with commercially available ELISA and real-time RT-PCR kits and a custom NS3-specific real-time RT-PCR assay. Virus isolation was attempted in Vero, C6/36 and KC cells (from Culicoides variipennis), embryonated chicken eggs and type I interferon receptor-deficient IFNAR(-/-) mice. EHDV-7 productively infected Holstein cattle, but caused no clinical signs. The inoculation of East Frisian sheep, on the other hand, apparently did not lead to a productive infection. The commercial diagnostic kits performed adequately. KC cells proved to be the most sensitive means of virus isolation, but viremia was shorter than 2 weeks in most animals. No interference between EHDV and BTV infection was observed; therefore the pre-existing immunity to some BTV serotypes in Europe is not expected to protect against a possible introduction of EHDV, in spite of the close relation between the viruses.     

蓝舌病病毒重组VP7蛋白单克隆抗体制备及竞争ELISA检测方法的建立

为了建立蓝舌病(BT)的血清学诊断方法,本研究利用原核表达的蓝舌病病毒(BTV)血清型12型VP7纯化蛋白免疫BALB/c小鼠,制备2株单克隆抗体(MAb),分别命名为BTV-2D10和BTV-4H7。IFA试验表明,2株MAb均能与BTV 24个血清型发生特异性反应,而与茨城病病毒(IBAV)、中山病病毒(CV)、赤羽病病毒(AKAV)、牛病毒性腹泻病毒(BVDV)、牛传染性鼻气管炎病毒(IBRV)、牛轮状病毒(BRV)、牛肠道病毒(BEV)、牛呼肠孤病毒(RV)及口蹄疫病毒(FMDV)无交叉反应,表明2株MAb均为BTV群特异性抗体。采用重组表达的VP7蛋白作为包被抗原建立的竞争ELISA方法证明,BTV-4H7 MAb对不同血清型BTV阳性血清具有良好的阻断效果,而对AKAV、IBAV、BRV和FMDV阳性血清无阻断作用。本研究建立的竞争ELISA方法与IDEXX公司的试剂盒检测包括65份已知背景血清和322份采自广西省的山羊血清样品,检测结果符合率分别达100%和98%。该竞争ELISA方法的建立为BTV抗体的监测提供了安全、快速、准确的技术手段。     

蓝舌病病毒17型VP2蛋白单克隆抗体的制备及其抗原表位的鉴定

为制备蓝舌病病毒(BTV)血清17型VP2蛋白的单克隆抗体(MAb)及鉴定其抗原表位,本研究用原核表达系统部分重叠表达的两段VP2蛋白共同免疫BALB/c小鼠,采用细胞融合技术获得杂交瘤细胞,通过以重组VP2蛋为白包被抗原的间接ELISA筛选获得2株稳定分泌抗BTV17 VP2蛋白的MAbs杂交瘤细胞株,分别命名为3F4和4H10.Ig亚类鉴定2株MAbs均为IgG1/k链.Western blot证明,2株MAbs均能识别重组VP2蛋白.间接免疫荧光试验表明:2株MAbs均与BTV17呈阳性反应,其中MAb 3F4与BTV1、BTV2、BTV3、BTV5、BTV8、BTV11、BTV13、BTV16、BTV23、茨城病病毒(IBAV)、牛轮状病毒(BRV)、牛呼肠孤病毒(RV)均呈阴性反应,但与BTV10和BTV24呈弱阳性反应.利用合成多肽对VP2抗原表位鉴定结果表明,MAb 3F4识别的抗原表位为540DPWNNR545,MAb 4H10识别的抗原表位为540DPWNNRA546.本研究结果为建立BTV17型特异性检测方法及VP2功能研究奠定了基础.