Reassortant H1N1 influenza virus vaccines protect pigs against pandemic H1N1 influenza virus and H1N2 swine influenza virus challenge

Influenza A (H1N1) virus has caused human influenza outbreaks in a worldwide pandemic since April 2009. Pigs have been found to be susceptible to this influenza virus under experimental and natural conditions, raising concern about their potential role in the pandemic spread of the virus. In this study, we generated a high-growth reassortant virus (SC/PR8) that contains the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes from a novel H1N1 isolate, A/Sichuan/1/2009 (SC/09), and six internal genes from A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (PR8) virus, by genetic reassortment. The immunogenicity and protective efficacy of this reassortant virus were evaluated at different doses in a challenge model using a homologous SC/09 or heterologous A/Swine/Guangdong/1/06(H1N2) virus (GD/06). Two doses of SC/PR8 virus vaccine elicited high-titer serum hemagglutination inhibiting (HI) antibodies specific for the 2009 H1N1 virus and conferred complete protection against challenge with either SC/09 or GD/06 virus, with reduced lung lesions and viral shedding in vaccine-inoculated animals compared with non-vaccinated control animals. These results indicated for the first time that a high-growth SC/PR8 reassortant H1N1 virus exhibits properties that are desirable to be a promising vaccine candidate for use in swine in the event of a pandemic H1N1 influenza.     

Acute phase protein response during subclinical infection of pigs with H1N1 swine influenza virus

In the present study acute phase proteins (APPs) responses in pigs after subclinical infection with H1N1 swine influenza virus (SwH1N1) were evaluated. Fourteen 5 weeks old, seronegative piglets, both sexes were used. Ten of them were infected intranasally with SwH1N1. C-reactive protein (CRP), haptoglobin (Hp), serum amyloid A (SAA) and pig major acute phase protein (Pig-MAP) concentrations in serum were measured using commercial ELISAs. No significant clinical signs were observed in any of the infected pigs, however, all infected animals developed specific antibodies against SwH1N1 and viral shedding was observed from 2 to 5dpi. Only concentrations of Hp and SAA were significantly induced after infection, with mean maximum levels from days 1 to 2 post infection (dpi). The concentrations of CRP and Pig-MAP remained generally unchanged, however in half of infected pigs the concentration of CRP tended to increase at 1dpi (but without statistical significance). The results of our study confirmed that monitoring of APPs may be useful for detection of subclinically infected pigs. The use of SAA or Hp and Pig-MAP may be a valuable in combination [i.e. Hp (increased concentration) and Pig-MAP (unchanged concentration)] to detect subclinically SIV infected pigs, or to identify pigs actually producing a large amount of virus. Additional studies need to be done in order to confirm these findings.     

Systemic and mucosal immune responses to H1N1 influenza virus infection in pigs

Influenza is a common respiratory disease in pigs, and since swine influenza viruses are zoonotic pathogens, they also pose human health risks. Pigs infected with influenza virus mount an effective immune response and are protected from subsequent challenge, whereas the currently available, inactivated-virus vaccine does not consistently confer complete protection to challenge. To develop and evaluate new vaccination strategies, it is imperative to fully understand the immune responses that are associated with protection following natural infection. Therefore, we have evaluated the phenotype and kinetics of immune responses to primary and re-challenge infection with H1N1 swine influenza virus in the pig. Through the use of isotype-specific antibody secreting cell ELISPOT assays, interferon-gamma ELISPOT assays and isotype-specific ELISAs on serum, nasal wash and bronchoalveolar lavage samples, we defined the humoral and cellular immune responses, both locally in the respiratory tract and systemically, to this viral infection. Virus-specific serum IgG, IgA, and HI titers all peaked 2-3 weeks after primary infection and did not substantially increase after re-challenge. The predominant virus-specific isotype in serum was IgG. Pigs responded with virus-specific IgG and IgA in both the upper (nasal washes) and lower (bronchoalveolar lavages) airways; IgA was the predominant isotype in both sites. Despite the fact that the pigs were completely protected from re-challenge, the antibody titers in the nasal washes increased. Results of the antibody-secreting cell ELISPOT assays demonstrated that the numbers of both IgG and IgA secreting cells in the nasal mucosa were dramatically higher than in any other tissue examined. In contrast, IFN-gamma secreting cells were predominantly localized to the spleen and tracheobronchial lymph nodes. These data will be helpful in the future development and evaluation of novel vaccines.     

Experimental infection with H1N1 European swine influenza virus protects pigs from an infection with the 2009 pandemic H1N1 human influenza virus

The recent pandemic caused by human influenza virus A(H1N1) 2009 contains ancestral gene segments from North American and Eurasian swine lineages as well as from avian and human influenza lineages. The emergence of this A(H1N1) 2009 poses a potential global threat for human health and the fact that it can infect other species, like pigs, favours a possible encounter with other influenza viruses circulating in swine herds. In Europe, H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2 subtypes of swine influenza virus currently have a high prevalence in commercial farms. To better assess the risk posed by the A(H1N1) 2009 in the actual situation of swine farms, we sought to analyze whether a previous infection with a circulating European avian-like swine A/Swine/Spain/53207/2004 (H1N1) influenza virus (hereafter referred to as SwH1N1) generated or not cross-protective immunity against a subsequent infection with the new human pandemic A/Catalonia/63/2009 (H1N1) influenza virus (hereafter referred to as pH1N1) 21 days apart. Pigs infected only with pH1N1 had mild to moderate pathological findings, consisting on broncho-interstitial pneumonia. However, pigs inoculated with SwH1N1 virus and subsequently infected with pH1N1 had very mild lung lesions, apparently attributed to the remaining lesions caused by SwH1N1 infection. These later pigs also exhibited boosted levels of specific antibodies. Finally, animals firstly infected with SwH1N1 virus and latter infected with pH1N1 exhibited undetectable viral RNA load in nasal swabs and lungs after challenge with pH1N1, indicating a cross-protective effect between both strains.     

Overcoming maternal antibody interference by vaccination with human adenovirus 5 recombinant viruses expressing the hemagglutinin and the nucleoprotein of swine influenza virus

Sows and gilts lack immunity to human adenovirus 5 (Ad-5) vectored vaccines so immunogens of swine pathogens can be expressed with these vaccines in order to immunize suckling piglets that have interfering, maternally derived antibodies. In this study 7-day-old piglets, that had suckled H3N2 infected gilts, were sham-inoculated with a non-expressing Ad-5 vector or given a primary vaccination with replication-defective Ad-5 viruses expressed the H3 hemagglutinin and the nucleoprotein of swine influenza virus (SIV) subtype H3N2. The hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titer of the sham-inoculated group (n = 12) showed continued antibody decay whereas piglets vaccinated with Ad-5 SIV (n = 23) developed an active immune response by the second week post-vaccination. At 4 weeks-of-age when the HI titer of the sham-inoculated group had decayed to 45, the sham-inoculated group and half of the Ad-5 SIV vaccinated pigs were boosted with a commercial inactivated SIV vaccine. The boosted pigs that had been primed in the presence of maternal interfering antibodies had a strong anamnestic response while sham-inoculated pigs did not respond to the commercial vaccine. Two weeks after the booster vaccination the pigs were challenged with a non-homologous H3N2 virulent SIV. The efficacy of the vaccination protocol was demonstrated by abrogation of clinical signs, by clearance of challenge virus from pulmonary lavage fluids, by markedly reduced virus shedding in nasal secretions, and by the absence of moderate or severe SIV-induced lung lesions. These recombinant Ad-5 SIV vaccines are useful for priming the immune system to override the effects of maternally derived antibodies which interfere with conventional SIV vaccines.     

Pandemic H1N1 influenza virus infection in a Canadian cat

A cat was presented for necropsy after being found dead at home. Histologic findings suggested viral pneumonia. Polymerase chain reaction and viral typing revealed influenza A(H1N1)pdm09. This is the first report of influenza in a Canadian cat and highlights the importance of considering influenza virus in the differential diagnosis for feline respiratory distress.     

Novel swine influenza virus subtype H3N1 in Italy

To date, three subtypes of swine influenza viruses, H1N1, H1N2, and H3N2 have been isolated in Italy. In 2006, a novel swine influenza virus subtype (H3N1) was isolated from coughing pigs. RT-PCR performed on lung tissues, experimental infection in pigs with the novel isolate, and cloning the virus by plaque assay confirmed this unique H and N combination. The novel isolate was also antigenically and genetically characterized. Genetic and phylogenetic analysis showed that the complete HA gene of the H3N1 strain has the highest nucleotide identity to three Italian H3N2 strains, one isolated in 2001 and two in 2004, whereas the full length NA sequence is closely related to three H1N1 subtype viruses isolated in Italy in 2004. The remaining genes are also closely related to respective genes found in H1N1 and H3N2 SIVs currently circulating in Italy. This suggests that the novel SIV could be a reassortant between the H3N2 and H1N1 SIVs circulating in Italy.     

一株人源H1N1亚型猪流感病毒的进化分析与生物学特性研究

为了解猪流感病毒(SIV)的变异情况,我们2009年11月从河北某养殖场采集呈流感症状的猪鼻拭子40份,接种10日龄SPF鸡胚,分离到一株猪流感病毒,通过RT-PCR和血凝抑制试验鉴定为H1N1亚型,命名为A/swine/Hebei/15/2009(H1N1),其全基因序列测定及同源性分析发现,8个基因片段均与2000年左右H1N1人流感病毒有较高的同源性。系统遗传演化显示,该病毒分离株是由2000年人源H1N1流感病毒A/Dunedin/2/2000(H1N1)进化而来。抗原性分析显示该株与甲型H1N1流感病毒和经典H1N1病毒株抗原性差异较大。对小鼠致病性试验表明该病毒株可以直接感染小鼠并导致小鼠轻微临床症状和组织病理学变化,但不致死小鼠,表现为低致病性。     

欧亚类禽H1N1与古典H1N1亚型猪流感病毒NA基因遗传进化分析

本研究对2011年分离自吉林省猪群的3株流感病毒进行了遗传进化分析。结果表明欧亚类禽H1N1猪流感病毒和古典H1N1猪流感病毒在吉林省猪群中共同流行,因此加强猪流感流行病学调查具有重要意义。     

欧亚类禽H1N1与古典H1N1亚型猪流感病毒NA基因遗传进化分析

本研究对2011年分离自吉林省猪群的3株流感病毒进行了遗传进化分析。结果表明欧亚类禽H1N1猪流感病毒和古典H1N1猪流感病毒在吉林省猪群中共同流行,因此加强猪流感流行病学调查具有重要意义。     

Cell-mediated immune response to rabies virus in dogs following vaccination and challenge

Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from non-vaccinated dogs and from dogs either vaccinated intramuscularly (IM) or subcutaneously (SC) with an inactivated rabies virus vaccine (Rabguard-TC, Norden Laboratories, Lincoln, NE) or intramuscularly with an attenuated rabies virus vaccine (Endurall-R, Norden Laboratories, Lincoln, NE) were exposed in vitro to rabies virus. Blastogenesis of PBL was measured by incorporation of 3H-thymidine into the DNA of proliferating cells in the presence of a suboptimal concentration of phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Following the first vaccination, there was no difference in the blastogenic response of lymphocytes from dogs vaccinated IM with either the inactivated or attenuated rabies virus vaccines. The inactivated rabies vaccine stimulated as great or greater blastogenic response when it was given SC. The PBL from non-vaccinated control dogs were not stimulated by rabies virus. Dogs vaccinated with the inactivated vaccine developed a lymphocyte blastogenic response to rabies virus following challenge with virulent street rabies virus. Nonvaccinated control dogs did not develop a lymphocyte blastogenic response to rabies virus following challenge with virulent street rabies virus.     

共表达禽流感HA和NA基因重组鸡痘病毒免疫犬的安全性和抗体应答

为了评价共表达H5N1亚型禽流感病毒(AIV)血凝素(HA)和神经氨酸酶(NA)基因的重组鸡痘病毒(rFPV-11SH5NA)接种犬的安全性和抗体应答,用106 PFU的rFPV接种9周龄家犬,间隔4周进行二次接种,观察接种犬的局部和全身反应,并对接种犬进行全血细胞计数、血清生理生化分析和血清抗体检测。结果表明,重组鸡痘病毒接种犬没有局部和全身不良反应,具有良好的生物安全性,但免疫犬未能检测有效的抗AIV血凝抑制(HI)抗体应答。     

H9N2亚型禽流感病毒感染TC-1细胞诱导的免疫反应

为了更好地了解宿主对禽流感病毒(AIV)感染后的免疫反应,本试验以TC-1细胞为模型,感染H9N2亚型AIV。通过荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)和酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)方法检测了3种模式识别受体(TLR-3、RIG-I和MDA-5)和5种炎性细胞因子(IL-6、RANTES、IP-10、TNF-α和IFN-β)。结果显示:3种模式识别受体中MDA-5上调最为明显,5种炎性因子中RANTES和IP-10上调最为明显;而IL-6、TNF-α和IFN-β上调相对较平缓。本研究结果表明:在病毒感染过程中MDA-5反应较TLR-3和RIG-I更为强烈,而在炎性反应过程中RANTES和IP-10反应更加剧烈,IL-6、TNF-α和IFN-β反应则相对较温和一些。本研究在一定程度上反映了机体对流感病毒的免疫反应机制,为在生产中疫苗的使用具有一定的指导意义。     

Failure of protection and enhanced pneumonia with a US H1N2 swine influenza virus in pigs vaccinated with an inactivated classical swine H1N1 vaccine

Two US swine influenza virus (SIV) isolates, A/Swine/Iowa/15/1930 H1N1 (IA30) and A/Swine/Minnesota/00194/2003 H1N2 (MN03), were evaluated in an in vivo vaccination and challenge model. Inactivated vaccines were prepared from each isolate and used to immunize conventional pigs, followed by challenge with homologous or heterologous virus. Both inactivated vaccines provided complete protection against homologous challenge. However, the IA30 vaccine failed to protect against the heterologous MN03 challenge. Three of the nine pigs in this group had substantially greater percentages of lung lesions, suggesting the vaccine potentiated the pneumonia. In contrast, priming with live IA30 virus provided protection from nasal shedding and virus replication in the lung in MN03 challenged pigs. These data indicate that divergent viruses that did not cross-react serologically did not provide complete cross-protection when used in inactivated vaccines against heterologous challenge and may have enhanced disease. In addition, live virus infection conferred protection against heterologous challenge.     

一株类禽型H1N1亚型猪流感病毒的反向遗传系统的建立

为建立H1N1亚型猪流感病毒A/swine/Jiangsu/40/2011(JS40)的反向遗传系统,本研究分别构建了JS40株8个基因节段的重组质粒,经转染293T和MDCK混合细胞,拯救出病毒R-JS40。序列测定结果表明,救获病毒与亲本病毒的核苷酸序列一致,无氨基酸变异,可以稳定传代;抗原性未发生变化;对小鼠的致病性结果显示R-JS40与JS40对小鼠的组织嗜性以及在肺脏中复制的病毒滴度基本一致。以上结果表明R-JS40保持了亲本病毒JS40的生物学特性,该病毒反向遗传操作系统的建立,为进一步开展病毒的致病分子基础以及新型疫苗的研制提供有效的技术平台。     

中国类禽型H1N1亚型猪流感病毒的发现和遗传分析

采用禽流感病毒通用引物,对2006年发现的1株H1N1亚型的类禽型猪流感病毒的全基因组进行了测序,并进行了遗传学分析。序列分析表明它的8个片段与欧洲的类禽型猪流感病毒A/swine/Ile et Vilaine/1455/99(H1N1)病毒和A/swine/Cotes d'Armor/1488/99(H1N1)病毒的相应基因具有高度的同源性,同源性可达97%~99%,表明类禽型猪流感病毒已在中国出现。其血凝素基因的190E→D和225G→E的突变使得其结合NeuAc-a2,6Gal受体的能力高于NeuAca2,3Gal受体。欧洲的类禽型猪流感病毒可以直接感染人,并且可导致人的肺炎和死亡。中国类禽型猪流感病毒的发现及其的NeuAca2,6Gal受体结合特性使其成为一个潜在可感染人的病毒。     

表达H1N1亚型猪流感病毒HA蛋白的重组伪狂犬病病毒rPRV-optiHA的构建及生物学特性

为研发针对猪流感病毒流行毒株和猪伪狂犬病病毒变异毒株更为有效的基因工程疫苗,本研究以变异伪狂犬病病毒基因缺失毒株(rPRVΔTKΔgI/gE)为载体,采用同源重组的方法,成功构建了表达经密码子优化的H1N1亚型猪流感病毒HA基因的重组病毒rPRVΔTKΔgI/gE-optiHA。对获得的重组病毒在多种细胞上的增殖特性、一步生长曲线、遗传稳定性以及对小鼠的安全性等生物学特性进行了研究。结果表明,构建的rPRVΔTKΔgI/gE-optiHA重组病毒能够稳定表达HA蛋白,并且经过优化后,目的基因的表达量有明显提高。该重组病毒在ST、PK-15、Vero和BHK-21细胞上的增殖滴度均高于10~(-7.0)/0.1 mL,对PK-15细胞的敏感性最高。一步生长曲线结果表明,重组病毒的增殖特性未受影响。连续传代20代后,该重组病毒依然具有较好的遗传稳定性,并且对小鼠安全性良好。本研究为重组病毒rPRV-optiHA的进一步研究与应用奠定了基础。