scholarly journals Development of Infectious Clones for Virulent and Avirulent Pichinde Viruses: a Model Virus To Study Arenavirus-Induced Hemorrhagic Fevers

2009 ◽  
Vol 83 (13) ◽  
pp. 6357-6362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuiyun Lan ◽  
Lisa McLay Schelde ◽  
Jialong Wang ◽  
Naveen Kumar ◽  
Hinh Ly ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Several arenaviruses can cause hemorrhagic fever diseases (VHFs) in humans, the pathogenic mechanism of which is poorly understood due to their virulent nature and the lack of molecular clones. A safe, convenient, and economical small animal model of arenavirus hemorrhagic fever is based on guinea pigs infected by the arenavirus Pichinde (PICV). PICV does not cause disease in humans, but an adapted strain of PICV (P18) causes a disease in guinea pigs that mimics arenavirus hemorrhagic fever in humans in many aspects, while a low-passaged strain (P2) remains avirulent in infected animals. In order to identify the virulence determinants within the PICV genome, we developed the molecular clones for both the avirulent P2 and virulent P18 viruses. Recombinant viruses were generated by transfecting plasmids that contain the antigenomic L and S RNA segments of PICV under the control of the T7 promoter into BSRT7-5 cells, which constitutively express T7 RNA polymerase. By analyzing viral growth kinetics in vitro and virulence in vivo, we show that the recombinant viruses accurately recapitulate the replication and virulence natures of their respective parental viruses. Both parental and recombinant virulent viruses led to high levels of viremia and titers in different organs of the infected animals, whereas the avirulent viruses were effectively controlled and cleared by the hosts. These novel infectious clones for the PICV provide essential tools to identify the virulence factors that are responsible for the severe VHF-like disease in infected animals.

2012 ◽  
Vol 86 (16) ◽  
pp. 8602-8613 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomokazu Tamura ◽  
Yoshihiro Sakoda ◽  
Fumi Yoshino ◽  
Takushi Nomura ◽  
Naoki Yamamoto ◽  
...  

Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) is the causative agent of classical swine fever (CSF), a highly contagious disease of pigs. There are numerous CSFV strains that differ in virulence, resulting in clinical disease with different degrees of severity. Low-virulent and moderately virulent isolates cause a mild and often chronic disease, while highly virulent isolates cause an acute and mostly lethal hemorrhagic fever. The live attenuated vaccine strain GPE−was produced by multiple passages of the virulent ALD strain in cells of swine, bovine, and guinea pig origin. With the aim of identifying the determinants responsible for the attenuation, the GPE−vaccine virus was readapted to pigs by serial passages of infected tonsil homogenates until prolonged viremia and typical signs of CSF were observed. The GPE−/P-11 virus isolated from the tonsils after the 11th passagein vivohad acquired 3 amino acid substitutions in E2 (T830A) and NS4B (V2475A and A2563V) compared with the virus before passages. Experimental infection of pigs with the mutants reconstructed by reverse genetics confirmed that these amino acid substitutions were responsible for the acquisition of pathogenicity. Studiesin vitroindicated that the substitution in E2 influenced virus spreading and that the changes in NS4B enhanced the viral RNA replication. In conclusion, the present study identified residues in E2 and NS4B of CSFV that can act synergistically to influence virus replication efficiencyin vitroand pathogenicity in pigs.


2007 ◽  
Vol 88 (6) ◽  
pp. 1667-1676 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Gubser ◽  
Rory Goodbody ◽  
Andrea Ecker ◽  
Gareth Brady ◽  
Luke A. J. O'Neill ◽  
...  

Camelpox virus (CMLV) gene 176R encodes a protein with sequence similarity to murine schlafen (m-slfn) proteins. In vivo, short and long members of the m-slfn family inhibited T-cell development, whereas in vitro, only short m-slfns caused arrest of fibroblast growth. CMLV 176 protein (v-slfn) is most closely related to short m-slfns; however, when expressed stably in mammalian cells, v-slfn did not inhibit cell growth. v-slfn is a predominantly cytoplasmic 57 kDa protein that is expressed throughout infection. Several other orthopoxviruses encode v-slfn proteins, but the v-slfn gene is fragmented in all sequenced variola virus and vaccinia virus (VACV) strains. Consistent with this, all 16 VACV strains tested do not express a v-slfn detected by polyclonal serum raised against the CMLV protein. In the absence of a small animal model to study CMLV pathogenesis, the contribution of CMLV v-slfn to orthopoxvirus virulence was studied via its expression in an attenuated strain of VACV. Recombinant viruses expressing wild-type v-slfn or v-slfn tagged at its C terminus with a haemagglutinin (HA) epitope were less virulent than control viruses. However, a virus expressing v-slfn tagged with the HA epitope at its N terminus had similar virulence to controls, implying that the N terminus has an important function. A greater recruitment of lymphocytes into infected lung tissue was observed in the presence of wild-type v-slfn but, interestingly, these cells were less activated. Thus, v-slfn is an orthopoxvirus virulence factor that affects the host immune response to infection.


2000 ◽  
Vol 74 (9) ◽  
pp. 4258-4263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann M. Powers ◽  
Aaron C. Brault ◽  
Richard M. Kinney ◽  
Scott C. Weaver

ABSTRACT Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) virus antigenic subtypes and varieties are considered either epidemic/epizootic or enzootic. In addition to epidemiological differences between the epidemic and enzootic viruses, several in vitro and in vivo laboratory markers distinguishing the viruses have been identified, including differential plaque size, sensitivity to interferon (IFN), and virulence for guinea pigs. These observations have been shown to be useful predictors of natural, equine virulence and epizootic potential. Chimeric viruses containing variety IAB (epizootic) nonstructural genes with variety IE (enzootic) structural genes (VE/IAB-IE) or IE nonstructural genes and IAB structural genes (IE/IAB) were constructed to systematically analyze and map viral phenotype and virulence determinants. Plaque size analysis showed that both chimeric viruses produced a mean plaque diameter that was intermediate between those of the parental strains. Additionally, both chimeric viruses showed intermediate levels of virus replication and virulence for guinea pigs compared to the parental strains. However, IE/IAB produced a slightly higher viremia and an average survival time 2 days shorter than the VE/IAB-IE virus. Finally, IFN sensitivity assays revealed that only one chimera, VE/IAB-IE, was intermediate between the two parental types. The second chimera, containing the IE nonstructural genes, was at least five times more sensitive to IFN than the IE parental virus and greater than 50 times more sensitive than the IAB parent. These results implicate viral components in both the structural and nonstructural portions of the genome in contributing to the epizootic phenotype and indicate the potential for epidemic emergence from the IE enzootic VEE viruses.


1976 ◽  
Vol 36 (02) ◽  
pp. 401-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Buichi Fujttani ◽  
Toshimichi Tsuboi ◽  
Kazuko Takeno ◽  
Kouichi Yoshida ◽  
Masanao Shimizu

SummaryThe differences among human, rabbit and guinea-pig platelet adhesiveness as for inhibitions by adenosine, dipyridamole, chlorpromazine and acetylsalicylic acid are described, and the influence of measurement conditions on platelet adhesiveness is also reported. Platelet adhesiveness of human and animal species decreased with an increase of heparin concentrations and an increase of flow rate of blood passing through a glass bead column. Human and rabbit platelet adhesiveness was inhibited in vitro by adenosine, dipyridamole and chlorpromazine, but not by acetylsalicylic acid. On the other hand, guinea-pig platelet adhesiveness was inhibited by the four drugs including acetylsalicylic acid. In in vivo study, adenosine, dipyridamole and chlorpromazine inhibited platelet adhesiveness in rabbits and guinea-pigs. Acetylsalicylic acid showed the inhibitory effect in guinea-pigs, but not in rabbits.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li-Nan Wang ◽  
Xiang-Lei Peng ◽  
Min Xu ◽  
Yuan-Bo Zheng ◽  
Yue-Ying Jiao ◽  
...  

AbstractHuman respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract illness (LRTI), and no vaccine against LRTI has proven to be safe and effective in infants. Our study assessed attenuated recombinant RSVs as vaccine candidates to prevent RSV infection in mice. The constructed recombinant plasmids harbored (5′ to 3′) a T7 promoter, hammerhead ribozyme, RSV Long strain antigenomic cDNA with cold-passaged (cp) mutations or cp combined with temperature-sensitive attenuated mutations from the A2 strain (A2cpts) or further combined with SH gene deletion (A2cptsΔSH), HDV ribozyme (δ), and a T7 terminator. These vectors were subsequently co-transfected with four helper plasmids encoding N, P, L, and M2-1 viral proteins into BHK/T7-9 cells, and the recovered viruses were then passaged in Vero cells. The rescued recombinant RSVs (rRSVs) were named rRSV-Long/A2cp, rRSV-Long/A2cpts, and rRSV-Long/A2cptsΔSH, respectively, and stably passaged in vitro, without reversion to wild type (wt) at sites containing introduced mutations or deletion. Although rRSV-Long/A2cpts and rRSV-Long/A2cptsΔSH displayed  temperature-sensitive (ts) phenotype in vitro and in vivo, all rRSVs were significantly attenuated in vivo. Furthermore, BALB/c mice immunized with rRSVs produced Th1-biased immune response, resisted wtRSV infection, and were free from enhanced respiratory disease. We showed that the combination of ΔSH with attenuation (att) mutations of cpts contributed to improving att phenotype, efficacy, and gene stability of rRSV. By successfully introducing att mutations and SH gene deletion into the RSV Long parent and producing three rRSV strains, we have laid an important foundation for the development of RSV live attenuated vaccines.


1963 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 353-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. L. Olitzki ◽  
Dina Godinger

1. Salmonella typhi, strain Ty2, grown in vivo and employed as acetone-dried vaccine possessed a higher immunizing potency than the descendants of the same parent strain grown in vitro and employed as vaccine.2. When 2 × 108in vitro-grown bacteria were employed as challenge, the immunizing effects of both types of vaccine were more marked than after administration of 2 × 108in vivo-grown bacteria as challenge.3. The higher potency of the in vivo-grown vaccine was apparent in all experiments, whether the challenge strain was grown in vivo or in vitro.4. Immunogenic substances were isolated from infected organs of mice and guinea-pigs, and an immunogenic substance from the peritoneal fluid of the infected guinea-pigs was concentrated by precipitation with ethanol.


2007 ◽  
Vol 292 (4) ◽  
pp. L915-L923 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaime Chávez ◽  
Patricia Segura ◽  
Mario H. Vargas ◽  
José Luis Arreola ◽  
Edgar Flores-Soto ◽  
...  

Organophosphates induce bronchoobstruction in guinea pigs, and salbutamol only transiently reverses this effect, suggesting that it triggers additional obstructive mechanisms. To further explore this phenomenon, in vivo (barometric plethysmography) and in vitro (organ baths, including ACh and substance P concentration measurement by HPLC and immunoassay, respectively; intracellular Ca2+ measurement in single myocytes) experiments were performed. In in vivo experiments, parathion caused a progressive bronchoobstruction until a plateau was reached. Administration of salbutamol during this plateau decreased bronchoobstruction up to 22% in the first 5 min, but thereafter airway obstruction rose again as to reach the same intensity as before salbutamol. Aminophylline caused a sustained decrement (71%) of the parathion-induced bronchoobstruction. In in vitro studies, paraoxon produced a sustained contraction of tracheal rings, which was fully blocked by atropine but not by TTX, ω-conotoxin (CTX), or epithelium removal. During the paraoxon-induced contraction, salbutamol caused a temporary relaxation of ∼50%, followed by a partial recontraction. This paradoxical recontraction was avoided by the M2- or neurokinin-1 (NK1)-receptor antagonists (methoctramine or AF-DX 116, and L-732138, respectively), accompanied by a long-lasting relaxation. Forskolin caused full relaxation of the paraoxon response. Substance P and, to a lesser extent, ACh released from tracheal rings during 60-min incubation with paraoxon or physostigmine, respectively, were significantly increased when salbutamol was administered in the second half of this period. In myocytes, paraoxon did not produce any change in the intracellular Ca2+ basal levels. Our results suggested that: 1) organophosphates caused smooth muscle contraction by accumulation of ACh released through a TTX- and CTX-resistant mechanism; 2) during such contraction, salbutamol relaxation is functionally antagonized by the stimulation of M2 receptors; and 3) after this transient salbutamol-induced relaxation, a paradoxical contraction ensues due to the subsequent release of substance P.


2001 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 1483-1487 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert E. Throm ◽  
Stanley M. Spinola

ABSTRACT Haemophilus ducreyi expresses several putative virulence factors in vitro. Isogenic mutant-to-parent comparisons have been performed in a human model of experimental infection to examine whether specific gene products are involved in pathogenesis. Several mutants (momp, ftpA, losB, lst, cdtC, and hhdB) were as virulent as the parent in the human model, suggesting that their gene products did not play a major role in pustule formation. However, we could not exclude the possibility that the gene of interest was not expressed during the initial stages of infection. Biopsies of pustules obtained from volunteers infected with H. ducreyiwere subjected to reverse transcription-PCR. Transcripts corresponding to momp, ftpA, losB, lst, cdtB, and hhdA were expressed in vivo. In addition, transcripts for other putative virulence determinants such as ompA2, tdhA, lspA1, andlspA2 were detected in the biopsies. These results indicate that although several candidate virulence determinants are expressed during experimental infection, they do not have a major role in the initial stages of pathogenesis.


Author(s):  
Bhong Prabha N. ◽  
Naikawade Nilofar. S. ◽  
Mali Pratibha. R. ◽  
Bindu Madhavi. S.

Objectives: The present study designed to evaluate the Antiasthmatic activity of aqueous extract of bark of Eugenia Jambolana (AEEJ) on in vitro and in vivo animal models. Materials and methods: Different in vitro and in vivo animal models was used to study the anti asthmatic activity as isolated goat tracheal chain preparation, Acetylcholine and Histamine induced bronconstriction in guinea pigs, effect of drug extract on histamine release from mast cell was checked by clonidine-induced mast cell degranulation, and milk-induced eosinophilia and leukocytosis. Results: In-vitro study on goat tracheal chain preparation revealed that aqueous extract of Eugenia jambolana (AEEJ)bark exerted antagonistic effect on the histamine induced contraction. (P<0.05) The guinea pigs when exposed to 0.2% histamine aerosol showed signs of progressive dyspnoea leading to convulsions. AEEJ significantly prolonged the latent period of convulsions (PCT) as compared to control following the exposure of histamine (0.2%) aerosol (P<0.01). The observation of present study indicates aqueous extract of Eugenia jambolana shows significant inhibition of milk induced eosinophilia and leukocytosis. Group of animals pretreated with aqueous Eugenia jambolana bark extract showed significant reduction in degranulation of mast cells when challenged with clonidine. The prevention of degranulation process by the aqueous Eugenia jambolana bark extract (P<0.01) indicates a possible stabilizing effect on the mast cells, indicating mast cell stabilizing activity. Conclusions: Thus, AEEJ showed antihistaminic, mast cell stabilizing and protective in guinea pigs against histamine induced PCD, reduced eosinophilia and leukocytosis and hence possesses potential role in the treatment of asthma.


1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 188-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuki Saito ◽  
Reiko Kanda ◽  
Makoto Kurosawa ◽  
Isamu Murakoshi

Cysteine synthase (EC 4.2.99.8) in higher plants is responsible for biosynthesis of not only cysteine but also some nonprotein amino acids such as β-(pyrazol-1-yl)-L-alanine. The cDNA of a cysteine synthase from spinach (Spinacia oleracea) was inserted into pET8c (=pET3d) under the transcriptional control of strong T7 promoter to yield an overexpression vector pCEK1. The amount of the exogenous cysteine synthase was increased up to 40% of the total soluble protein of Escherichia coli transformed with pCEK1. β-(Pyrazol-1-yl)-L-alanine, a specific metabolite in plants of the Cucurbitaceae, was biosynthesized by overexpressed cysteine synthase from pyrazole in the presence of O-acetyl-L-serine and serine, in vitro and in vivo, respectively. The present study provides the system for mechanistic investigation of biosynthesis of cysteine and biogenetically related β-substituted alanines at molecular genetic level.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document