scholarly journals Deletion of the African Swine Fever Virus Gene DP148R Does Not Reduce Virus Replication in Culture but Reduces Virus Virulence in Pigs and Induces High Levels of Protection against Challenge

2017 ◽  
Vol 91 (24) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana L. Reis ◽  
Lynnette C. Goatley ◽  
Tamara Jabbar ◽  
Pedro J. Sanchez-Cordon ◽  
Christopher L. Netherton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virus Replication ◽  
Infectious Virus ◽  
African Swine Fever Virus ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
African Swine Fever ◽  
Virus Genome ◽  
Fever Virus ◽  
Virulent Virus ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Reduce Virus Replication

ABSTRACT Many of the approximately 165 proteins encoded by the African swine fever virus (ASFV) genome do not have significant similarity to known proteins and have not been studied experimentally. One such protein is DP148R. We showed that the DP148R gene is transcribed at early times postinfection. Deletion of this gene did not reduce virus replication in macrophages, showing that it is not essential for replication in these cells. However, deletion of this gene from a virulent isolate, Benin 97/1, producing the BeninΔDP148R virus, dramatically reduced the virulence of the virus in vivo. All pigs infected with the BeninΔDP148R virus survived infection, showing only transient mild clinical signs soon after immunization. Following challenge with the parental virulent virus, all pigs immunized by the intramuscular route (11/11) and all except one immunized by the intranasal route (5/6) survived. Mild or no clinical signs were observed after challenge. As expected, control nonimmune pigs developed signs of acute African swine fever (ASF). The virus genome and infectious virus were observed soon after immunization, coincident with the onset of clinical signs (∼106 genome copies or 50% tissue culture infective doses/ml). The levels of the virus genome declined over an extended period up to 60 days postimmunization. In contrast, infectious virus was no longer detectable by days 30 to 35. Gamma interferon (IFN-γ) was detected in serum between days 4 and 7 postimmunization, and IFN-γ-producing cells were detected in all pigs analyzed following stimulation of immune lymphocytes with whole virus. ASFV-specific antibodies were first detected from day 10 postimmunization. IMPORTANCE African swine fever (ASF) is endemic in Africa, parts of the Trans Caucasus, the Russian Federation, and several European countries. The lack of a vaccine hinders control. Many of the ASF virus genes lack similarity to known genes and have not been characterized. We have shown that one of these, DP148R, is transcribed early during virus replication in cells and can be deleted from the virus genome without reducing virus replication. The virus with the gene deletion, BeninΔDP148R, caused mild clinical signs in pigs and induced high levels of protection against challenge with the parental virulent virus. Therefore, deletion of this gene can provide a target for the rational development of vaccines.

scholarly journals Role of African swine fever virus (ASFV) proteins EP153R and EP402R in reducing viral persistence and virulence from attenuated BeninΔDP148R

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vlad Petrovan ◽  
Anusyah Rathakrishnan ◽  
Muneeb Islam ◽  
Lynnette Goatley ◽  
Katy Moffat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virus Replication ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
African Swine Fever Virus ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
African Swine Fever ◽  
Viral Persistence ◽  
Fever Virus ◽  
Post Immunization

The limited knowledge on the role of many of the approximately 170 proteins encoded by African swine fever virus restricts progress towards vaccine development. In this study we investigated the effect of deleting combinations of different genes from a previously attenuated virus, BeninΔDP148R on: virus replication in macrophages, virus persistence and clinical signs post immunization, and induction of protection against challenge. Deletion of either EP402R or EP153R genes individually or in combination from BeninΔDP148R did not reduce virus replication in vitro. However, deletion of EP402R dramatically reduced viral persistence in vivo, whilst maintaining high levels of protection against challenge. The additional deletion of EP153R (BeninΔDP148RΔEP153RΔEP402R) further attenuated the virus and no viremia or clinical signs were observed post immunization. This was associated with decreased protection and detection of moderate levels of challenge virus in blood. Interestingly, the deletion of EP153R alone from BeninΔDP148R did not result in further virus attenuation and a slight increase in virus genome copies in blood was observed at different times post immunization when compared with BeninΔDP148R. These results show that EP402R and EP153R have a synergistic role in promoting viremia, however EP153R alone does not seem to have a major impact on virus levels in blood.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Lesions and Viral Antigen Distribution in Domestic Pigs Inoculated Intranasally with African Swine Fever Virus Ken05/Tk1 (Genotype X)

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 768
Author(s):  
Pedro J. Sánchez-Cordón ◽  
Tobias Floyd ◽  
Daniel Hicks ◽  
Helen R. Crooke ◽  
Stephen McCleary ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Antigen ◽  
African Swine Fever Virus ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
African Swine Fever ◽  
Virus Genome ◽  
Virus Antigen ◽  
Fever Virus ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Vascular Lesions ◽  
Domestic Pigs

The understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms and the clinicopathological forms caused by currently circulating African swine fever virus (ASFV) isolates is incomplete. So far, most of the studies have been focused on isolates classified within genotypes I and II, the only genotypes that have circulated outside of Africa. However, less is known about the clinical presentations and lesions induced by isolates belonging to the other twenty-two genotypes. Therefore, the early clinicopathological identification of disease outbreaks caused by isolates belonging to, as yet, not well-characterised ASFV genotypes may be compromised, which might cause a delay in the implementation of control measures to halt the virus spread. To improve the pathological characterisation of disease caused by diverse isolates, we have refined the macroscopic and histopathological evaluation protocols to standardise the scoring of lesions. Domestic pigs were inoculated intranasally with different doses (high, medium and low) of ASFV isolate Ken05/Tk1 (genotype X). To complement previous studies, the distribution and severity of macroscopic and histopathological lesions, along with the amount and distribution of viral antigen in tissues, were characterised by applying the new scoring protocols. The intranasal inoculation of domestic pigs with high doses of the Ken05/Tk1 isolate induced acute forms of ASF in most of the animals. Inoculation with medium doses mainly induced acute forms of disease. A less severe but longer clinical course, typical of subacute forms, characterised by the presence of more widespread and severe haemorrhages and oedema, was observed in one pig inoculated with the medium dose. The severity of vascular lesions (haemorrhages and oedema) induced by high and medium doses was not associated with the amount of virus antigen detected in tissues, therefore these might be attributed to indirect mechanisms not evaluated in the present study. The absence of clinical signs, lesions and detectable levels of virus genome or antigen in blood from the animals inoculated with the lowest dose ruled out the existence of possible asymptomatic carriers or persistently infected pigs, at least for the 21 days period of the study. The results corroborate the moderate virulence of the Ken05/Tk1 isolate, as well as its capacity to induce both the acute and, occasionally, subacute forms of ASF when high and medium doses were administered intranasally.

scholarly journals Generation and Evaluation of an African Swine Fever Virus Mutant with Deletion of the CD2v and UK Genes

Vaccines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 763
Author(s):  
Teshale Teklue ◽  
Tao Wang ◽  
Yuzi Luo ◽  
Rongliang Hu ◽  
Yuan Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
African Swine Fever Virus ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
African Swine Fever ◽  
Virus Genome ◽  
Fever Virus ◽  
Effective Vaccine ◽  
Post Inoculation ◽  
Virus Mutant ◽  
And Control

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious and often lethal disease caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV). ASF emerged in China in August 2018 and has since rapidly spread into many areas of the country. The disease has caused a significant impact on China’s pig and related industries. A safe and effective vaccine is needed to prevent and control the disease. Several gene-deleted ASFVs have been reported; however, none of them is safe enough and commercially available. In this study, we report the generation of a double gene-deleted ASFV mutant, ASFV-SY18-∆CD2v/UK, from a highly virulent field strain ASFV-SY18 isolated in China. The results showed that ASFV-SY18-∆CD2v/UK lost hemadsorption properties, and the simultaneous deletion of the two genes did not significantly affect the in vitro replication of the virus in primary porcine alveolar macrophages. Furthermore, ASFV-SY18-∆CD2v/UK was attenuated in pigs. All the ASFV-SY18-∆CD2v/UK-inoculated pigs remained healthy, and none of them developed ASF-associated clinical signs. Additionally, the ASFV-SY18-∆CD2v/UK-infected pigs developed ASFV-specific antibodies, and no virus genome was detected in blood and nasal discharges at 21 and 28 days post-inoculation. More importantly, we found that all the pigs inoculated with 104 TCID50 of ASFV-SY18-∆CD2v/UK were protected against the challenge with the parental ASFV-SY18. However, low-level ASFV DNA was detected in blood, nasal swabs, and lymphoid tissue after the challenge. The results demonstrate that ASFV-SY18-∆CD2v/UK is safe and able to elicit protective immune response in pigs and can be a potential vaccine candidate to control ASF.

scholarly journals The Role of Interleukine-10 and Interferon-γ as Potential Markers of the Evolution of African Swine Fever Virus Infection in Wild Boar

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 757
Author(s):  
Sandra Barroso-Arévalo ◽  
Jose A. Barasona ◽  
Estefanía Cadenas-Fernández ◽  
José M. Sánchez-Vizcaíno
Keyword(s):  
Wild Boar ◽  
Vaccine Candidate ◽  
African Swine Fever Virus ◽  
African Swine Fever ◽  
Interferon Γ ◽  
Fever Virus ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Challenge Virus ◽  
Ifn Γ

African swine fever virus (ASFv) is one of the most challenging pathogens to affect both domestic and wild pigs. The disease has now spread to Europe and Asia, causing great damage to the pig industry. Although no commercial vaccine with which to control the disease is, as yet, available, some potential vaccine candidates have shown good results in terms of protection. However, little is known about the host immune mechanisms underlying that protection, especially in wild boar, which is the main reservoir of the disease in Europe. Here, we study the role played by two cytokines (IL-10 and IFN-γ) in wild boar orally inoculated with the attenuated vaccine candidate Lv17/WB/Rie1 and challenged with a virulent ASFv genotype II isolate. A group of naïve wild boar challenged with the latter isolate was also established as a control group. Our results showed that both cytokines play a key role in protecting the host against the challenge virus. While high levels of IL-10 in serum may trigger an immune system malfunctioning in challenged animals, the provision of stable levels of this cytokine over time may help to control the disease. This, together with high and timely induction of IFN-γ by the vaccine candidate, could help protect animals from fatal outcomes. Further studies should be conducted in order to support these preliminary results and confirm the role of these two cytokines as potential markers of the evolution of ASFV infection.

scholarly journals Efficient inhibition of African swine fever virus replication by CRISPR/Cas9 targeting of the viral p30 gene (CP204L)

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Hübner ◽  
Bjoern Petersen ◽  
Günther M. Keil ◽  
Heiner Niemann ◽  
Thomas C. Mettenleiter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virus Replication ◽  
African Swine Fever Virus ◽  
African Swine Fever ◽  
Fever Virus

African swine fever virus replication events and cell nucleus: New insights and perspectives

2019 ◽  
Vol 270 ◽  
pp. 197667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margarida Simões ◽  
Ferdinando B. Freitas ◽  
Alexandre Leitão ◽  
Carlos Martins ◽  
Fernando Ferreira
Keyword(s):  
Virus Replication ◽  
Cell Nucleus ◽  
African Swine Fever Virus ◽  
African Swine Fever ◽  
Fever Virus

Two Novel Multigene Families, 530 and 300, in the Terminal Variable Regions of African Swine Fever Virus Genome

Virology ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 202 (2) ◽  
pp. 997-1002 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Yozawa ◽  
G.F. Kutish ◽  
C.L. Afonso ◽  
Z. Lu ◽  
D.L. Rock
Keyword(s):  
African Swine Fever Virus ◽  
African Swine Fever ◽  
Virus Genome ◽  
Fever Virus ◽  
Multigene Families ◽  
Variable Regions

scholarly journals Redistribution of Endosomal Membranes to the African Swine Fever Virus Replication Site

Viruses ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Cuesta-Geijo ◽  
Lucía Barrado-Gil ◽  
Inmaculada Galindo ◽  
Raquel Muñoz-Moreno ◽  
Covadonga Alonso
Keyword(s):  
Virus Replication ◽  
African Swine Fever Virus ◽  
African Swine Fever ◽  
Fever Virus ◽  
Endosomal Membranes ◽  
Replication Site

Characterization of the African swine fever virus protein p49: a new late structural polypeptide

Microbiology ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inmaculada Galindo ◽  
Eladio Viñuela ◽  
Angel L. Carrascosa
Keyword(s):  
Cell Attachment ◽  
African Swine Fever Virus ◽  
Rabbit Antiserum ◽  
African Swine Fever ◽  
Virus Genome ◽  
Fever Virus ◽  
Virus Protein ◽  
Significant Similarity ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Cell Extracts

The open reading frame B438L, located within the EcoRI B fragment of the African swine fever virus genome, is predicted to encode a protein of 438 amino acids with a molecular mass of 49·3 kDa. It presents a cell attachment RGD (Arg–Gly–Asp) motif but no other significant similarity to protein sequences in databases. Northern blot and primer extension analysis showed that B438L is transcribed only at late times during virus infection. The B438L gene product has been expressed in Escherichia coli, purified and used as an antigen for antibody production. The rabbit antiserum specific for pB438L recognized a protein of about 49 kDa in virus-infected cell extracts. This protein was synthesized late in infection by all the virus strains tested, was located in cytoplasmic virus factories and appeared as a structural component of purified virus particles.

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