scholarly journals Characterization of Plaque Variants and the Involvement of Quasi-Species in a Population of EV-A71

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 651
Author(s):  
Madiiha Bibi Mandary ◽  
Malihe Masomian ◽  
Seng-Kai Ong ◽  
Chit Laa Poh
Keyword(s):  
Growth Kinetics ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Homology Modelling ◽  
Size Variation ◽  
Viral Fitness ◽  
Plaque Morphology ◽  
Spontaneous Mutations ◽  
Small Plaque ◽  
Live Attenuated Vaccine

Viral plaque morphologies in human cell lines are markers for growth capability and they have been used to assess the viral fitness and selection of attenuated mutants for live-attenuated vaccine development. In this study, we investigate whether the naturally occurring plaque size variation reflects the virulence of the variants of EV-A71. Variants of two different plaque sizes (big and small) from EV-A71 sub-genotype B4 strain 41 were characterized. The plaque variants displayed different in vitro growth kinetics compared to the parental wild type. The plaque variants showed specific mutations being present in each variant strain. The big plaque variants showed four mutations I97L, N104S, S246P and N282D in the VP1 while the small plaque variants showed I97T, N237T and T292A in the VP1. No other mutations were detected in the whole genome of the two variants. The variants showed stable homogenous small plaques and big plaques, respectively, when re-infected in rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) and Vero cells. The parental strain showed faster growth kinetics and had higher viral RNA copy number than both the big and small plaque variants. Homology modelling shows that both plaque variants have differences in the structure of the VP1 protein due to the presence of unique spontaneous mutations found in each plaque variant This study suggests that the EV-A71 sub-genotype B4 strain 41 has at least two variants with different plaque morphologies. These differences were likely due to the presence of spontaneous mutations that are unique to each of the plaque variants. The ability to maintain the respective plaque morphology upon passaging indicates the presence of quasi-species in the parental population.

scholarly journals Impact of Type I Interferon on the Safety and Immunogenicity of an Experimental Live-Attenuated Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Vaccine in Mice

2017 ◽  
Vol 91 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek J. Royer ◽  
Meghan M. Carr ◽  
Ana J. Chucair-Elliott ◽  
William P. Halford ◽  
Daniel J. J. Carr
Keyword(s):  
Herpes Simplex Virus ◽  
Herpes Simplex ◽  
Parental Strain ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Viral Fitness ◽  
Type I ◽  
Herpes Simplex Virus 1 ◽  
Simplex Virus ◽  
Hsv 1

ABSTRACT Viral fitness dictates virulence and capacity to evade host immune defenses. Understanding the biological underpinnings of such features is essential for rational vaccine development. We have previously shown that the live-attenuated herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) mutant lacking the nuclear localization signal (NLS) on the ICP0 gene (0ΔNLS) is sensitive to inhibition by interferon beta (IFN-β) in vitro and functions as a highly efficacious experimental vaccine. Here, we characterize the host immune response and in vivo pathogenesis of HSV-1 0ΔNLS relative to its fully virulent parental strain in C57BL/6 mice. Additionally, we explore the role of type 1 interferon (IFN-α/β) signaling on virulence and immunogenicity of HSV-1 0ΔNLS and uncover a probable sex bias in the induction of IFN-α/β in the cornea during HSV-1 infection. Our data show that HSV-1 0ΔNLS lacks neurovirulence even in highly immunocompromised mice lacking the IFN-α/β receptor. These studies support the translational viability of the HSV-1 0ΔNLS vaccine strain by demonstrating that, while it is comparable to a virulent parental strain in terms of immunogenicity, HSV-1 0ΔNLS does not induce significant tissue pathology. IMPORTANCE HSV-1 is a common human pathogen associated with a variety of clinical presentations ranging in severity from periodic “cold sores” to lethal encephalitis. Despite the consistent failures of HSV subunit vaccines in clinical trials spanning the past 28 years, opposition to live-attenuated HSV vaccines predicated on unfounded safety concerns currently limits their widespread acceptance. Here, we demonstrate that a live-attenuated HSV-1 vaccine has great translational potential.

scholarly journals Evolutionary Landscape of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex from the Viewpoint of PhoPR: Implications for Virulence Regulation and Application to Vaccine Development

mBio ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther Broset ◽  
Carlos Martín ◽  
Jesús Gonzalo-Asensio
Keyword(s):  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Regulatory Region ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Pathogenic Potential ◽  
Live Attenuated Vaccine ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Compensatory Mutations ◽  
Mycobacterium Africanum

ABSTRACTDifferent members of theMycobacteriumgenus have evolved to cause tuberculosis in diverse human populations and in a variety of animal species. Our cumulative knowledge of mycobacterial genomes indicates that mutations in the PhoPR two-component virulence system were acquired not only during the natural evolution of mycobacterial species but also duringin vitrosubculture, which has given rise to the attenuated reference strain H37Ra or to different daughter strains ofMycobacterium bovisBCG. PhoPR is a well-known regulator of pathogenic phenotypes, including secretion of the virulence factor ESAT-6, biosynthesis of acyltrehalose-based lipids, and modulation of antigen export, in members of theMycobacterium tuberculosiscomplex (MTBC). Evolutionarily conserved polymorphisms in PhoPR fromMycobacterium africanum,M. bovis, orM. tuberculosisH37Ra result in loss of functional phenotypes. Interestingly, some members of the MTBC have acquired compensatory mutations to counteract these polymorphisms and, probably, to maintain their pathogenic potential. Some of these compensatory mutations include the insertion of the IS6110element upstream fromphoPRin a particularM. bovisstrain that is able to transmit between humans or polymorphisms inM. africanumandM. bovisthat affect the regulatory region of theespACDoperon, allowing PhoPR-independent ESAT-6 secretion. This review highlights the increasing knowledge of the significance of PhoPR in the evolution of the MTBC and its potential application in the construction of new attenuated vaccines based onphoPRinactivation. In this context, the live attenuated vaccine MTBVAC, based on aphoP fadD26deletion mutant ofM. tuberculosis, is the first vaccine of this kind to successfully enter into clinical development, representing a historic milestone in the field of human vaccinology.

scholarly journals Development of a Fluorescent Tool for Studying Legionella bozemanae Intracellular Infection

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 379
Author(s):  
Breanne M. Head ◽  
Christopher I. Graham ◽  
Teassa MacMartin ◽  
Yoav Keynan ◽  
Ann Karen C. Brassinga
Keyword(s):  
Growth Kinetics ◽  
Legionella Pneumophila ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Acanthamoeba Castellanii ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Intracellular Infection ◽  
Green Fluorescent

Legionnaires’ disease incidence is on the rise, with the majority of cases attributed to the intracellular pathogen, Legionella pneumophila. Nominally a parasite of protozoa, L. pneumophila can also infect alveolar macrophages when bacteria-laden aerosols enter the lungs of immunocompromised individuals. L. pneumophila pathogenesis has been well characterized; however, little is known about the >25 different Legionella spp. that can cause disease in humans. Here, we report for the first time a study demonstrating the intracellular infection of an L. bozemanae clinical isolate using approaches previously established for L. pneumophila investigations. Specifically, we report on the modification and use of a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing plasmid as a tool to monitor the L. bozemanae presence in the Acanthamoeba castellanii protozoan infection model. As comparative controls, L. pneumophila strains were also transformed with the GFP-expressing plasmid. In vitro and in vivo growth kinetics of the Legionella parental and GFP-expressing strains were conducted followed by confocal microscopy. Results suggest that the metabolic burden imposed by GFP expression did not impact cell viability, as growth kinetics were similar between the GFP-expressing Legionella spp. and their parental strains. This study demonstrates that the use of a GFP-expressing plasmid can serve as a viable approach for investigating Legionella non-pneumophila spp. in real time.

scholarly journals Effects of Size and Surface Properties of Nanodiamonds on the Immunogenicity of Plant-Based H5 Protein of A/H5N1 Virus in Mice

Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1597
Author(s):  
Thuong Thi Ho ◽  
Van Thi Pham ◽  
Tra Thi Nguyen ◽  
Vy Thai Trinh ◽  
Tram Vi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Pressure ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
H5n1 Virus ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Particle Characterization ◽  
Innovative Strategy ◽  
Specific Igg ◽  
Positively Charged

Nanodiamond (ND) has recently emerged as a potential nanomaterial for nanovaccine development. Here, a plant-based haemagglutinin protein (H5.c2) of A/H5N1 virus was conjugated with detonation NDs (DND) of 3.7 nm in diameter (ND4), and high-pressure and high-temperature (HPHT) oxidative NDs of ~40–70 nm (ND40) and ~100–250 nm (ND100) in diameter. Our results revealed that the surface charge, but not the size of NDs, is crucial to the protein conjugation, as well as the in vitro and in vivo behaviors of H5.c2:ND conjugates. Positively charged ND4 does not effectively form stable conjugates with H5.c2, and has no impact on the immunogenicity of the protein both in vitro and in vivo. In contrast, the negatively oxidized NDs (ND40 and ND100) are excellent protein antigen carriers. When compared to free H5.c2, H5.c2:ND40, and H5.c2:ND100 conjugates are highly immunogenic with hemagglutination titers that are both 16 times higher than that of the free H5.c2 protein. Notably, H5.c2:ND40 and H5.c2:ND100 conjugates induce over 3-folds stronger production of both H5.c2-specific-IgG and neutralizing antibodies against A/H5N1 than free H5.c2 in mice. These findings support the innovative strategy of using negatively oxidized ND particles as novel antigen carriers for vaccine development, while also highlighting the importance of particle characterization before use.

scholarly journals Spontaneous Mutations That Confer Antibiotic Resistance inHelicobacter pylori

2001 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 727-733 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ge Wang ◽  
Trevor J. M. Wilson ◽  
Qin Jiang ◽  
Diane E. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Mutant Allele ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Mutagenic Effect ◽  
Serial Passage ◽  
Sublethal Dose ◽  
23S Rrna ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Spontaneous Mutations ◽  
H Pylori

ABSTRACT In this study, we systematically examined in vitro frequencies and spectra of the spontaneous mutations in Helicobacter pylori that confer resistance to clarithromycin (Clar), metronidazole (Mtzr), amoxicillin (Amxr), ciprofloxacin (Cipr), and rifampin (Rifr). The mutation rate of Rifror Cipr determined in a fluctuation assay is 1 × 10−8 to 2 × 10−8 per cell per division. In contrast, the mutation rates of Clar, Mtzr, and Amxr are much lower (<10−9). However, Mtzr mutants could be readily selected in vitro by using the serial passage method, suggesting that the mutagenic effect and selective effect of a sublethal dose of metronidazole contribute to the rapid development of Mtzr. Analysis of spontaneous Rifr, Clar, and Cipr mutants confirmed previous results indicating that mutations within therpoB gene, the 23S rRNA gene, and thegyrA gene, respectively, are responsible; also, several new mutant alleles were identified. Mtzrmutants resulted most frequently, but not always, from mutations in the rdxA gene. DNA fragments containing each mutant allele could readily transform susceptibleH. pylori strains to resistance, confirming that each mutant allele is responsible for the resistance phenotype.

Plasmodium knowlesi: a relevant, versatile experimental malaria model

Parasitology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 145 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
ERICA M. PASINI ◽  
ANNE-MARIE ZEEMAN ◽  
ANNEMARIE VOORBERG-VAN DER WEL ◽  
CLEMENS H. M. KOCKEN
Keyword(s):  
Parasite Species ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Plasmodium Knowlesi ◽  
Host Interactions ◽  
Model Studies ◽  
Human Red Blood Cells ◽  
Malaria Model ◽  
Human Primate

SUMMARYThe primate malariaPlasmodium knowlesihas a long-standing history as an experimental malaria model. Studies using this model parasite in combination with its various natural and experimental non-human primate hosts have led to important advances in vaccine development and in our understanding of malaria invasion, immunology and parasite–host interactions. The adaptation to long-termin vitrocontinuous blood stage culture in rhesus monkey,Macaca fascicularisand human red blood cells, as well as the development of various transfection methodologies has resulted in a highly versatile experimental malaria model, further increasing the potential of what was already a very powerful model. The growing evidence thatP. knowlesiis an important human zoonosis in South-East Asia has added relevance to former and future studies of this parasite species.

scholarly journals Dominant-Negative FADD Rescues the In Vivo Fitness of a Cytomegalovirus Lacking an Antiapoptotic Viral Gene

2007 ◽  
Vol 82 (5) ◽  
pp. 2056-2064 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luka Čičin-Šain ◽  
Zsolt Ruzsics ◽  
Juergen Podlech ◽  
Ivan Bubić ◽  
Carine Menard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virus Replication ◽  
Control Cell ◽  
Death Receptor ◽  
Formal Proof ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Viral Fitness ◽  
Viral Gene ◽  
Apoptosis Inhibition

ABSTRACT Genes that inhibit apoptosis have been described for many DNA viruses. Herpesviruses often contain even more than one gene to control cell death. Apoptosis inhibition by viral genes is postulated to contribute to viral fitness, although a formal proof is pending. To address this question, we studied the mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) protein M36, which binds to caspase-8 and blocks death receptor-induced apoptosis. The growth of MCMV recombinants lacking M36 (ΔM36) was attenuated in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, caspase inhibition by zVAD-fmk blocked apoptosis in ΔM36-infected macrophages and rescued the growth of the mutant. In vivo, ΔM36 infection foci in liver tissue contained significantly more apoptotic hepatocytes and Kupffer cells than did revertant virus foci, and apoptosis occurred during the early phase of virus replication prior to virion assembly. To further delineate the mode of M36 function, we replaced the M36 gene with a dominant-negative FADD (FADDDN) in an MCMV recombinant. FADDDN was expressed in cells infected with the recombinant and blocked the death-receptor pathway, replacing the antiapoptotic function of M36. Most importantly, FADDDN rescued ΔM36 virus replication, both in vitro and in vivo. These findings have identified the biological role of M36 and define apoptosis inhibition as a key determinant of viral fitness.

scholarly journals Glycine at Position 622 in PB1 Contributes to the Virulence of H5N1 Avian Influenza Virus in Mice

2015 ◽  
Vol 90 (4) ◽  
pp. 1872-1879 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoxiao Feng ◽  
Zeng Wang ◽  
Jianzhong Shi ◽  
Guohua Deng ◽  
Huihui Kong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Avian Influenza ◽  
Aspartic Acid ◽  
H5n1 Virus ◽  
Genetic Basis ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
Avian Influenza Viruses ◽  
Live Attenuated Vaccine ◽  
H5n1 Influenza ◽  
H5n1 Avian Influenza

ABSTRACTWe isolated two H5N1 viruses, A/duck/Hunan/S4020/2008 (DK/08) and A/chicken/Guangxi/S2039/2009 (CK/09), from live-bird markets during routine surveillance and found that these two viruses are genetically similar but differ in their replication and virulence in mice. The CK/09 virus is lethal for mice with a 50% mouse lethal dose (MLD50) of 1.6 log1050% egg infectious doses (EID50), whereas the DK/08 virus is nonpathogenic for mice with an MLD50value of 6.2 log10EID50. We explored the genetic basis of the virulence difference of these two viruses by generating a series of reassortant viruses and mutants in the lethal virus CK/09 background and evaluating their virulence in mice. We found that the PB1 gene of the DK/08 virus dramatically attenuated the virulence of the CK/09 virus and that the amino acid at position 622 in PB1 made an important contribution. We further demonstrated that the mutation of glycine (G) to aspartic acid (D) at position 622 in PB1 partially impaired the binding of PB1 to viral RNA, thereby dramatically decreasing the polymerase activity and attenuating H5N1 virus virulence in mice. Our results identify a novel virulence-related marker of H5N1 influenza viruses and provide a new target for live attenuated vaccine development.IMPORTANCEH5N1 avian influenza viruses have caused the deaths of nearly 60% of the humans that they have infected since 1997 and clearly represent a threat to public health. A thorough understanding of the genetic basis of virulence determinants will provide important insights for antiviral drug and live attenuated vaccine development. Several virulence-related markers in the PB2, PA, M1, and NS1 proteins of H5N1 viruses have been identified. In this study, we isolated two H5N1 avian influenza viruses that are genetically similar but differ in their virulence in mice, and we identified a new virulence-related marker in the PB1 gene. We found that the mutation of glycine (G) to aspartic acid (D) at position 622 in PB1 partially impairs the binding of PB1 to viral RNA, thereby attenuating H5N1 virus virulence in mice. This newly identified virulence-related marker could be applied to the development of live attenuated vaccines against H5N1 influenza.

scholarly journals Naturally induced humoral response against Plasmodium vivax reticulocyte binding protein 2P1

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenni Hietanen ◽  
Anongruk Chim-ong ◽  
Jetsumon Sattabongkot ◽  
Wang Nguitragool
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Vivax ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
Humoral Response ◽  
Human Antibody ◽  
Asymptomatic Carriers ◽  
Erythrocyte Invasion ◽  
Human Proteins ◽  
Human Immune Response

Abstract Background Plasmodium vivax is the most prevalent malaria parasite in many countries. A better understanding of human immunity to this parasite can provide new insights for vaccine development. Plasmodium vivax Reticulocyte Binding Proteins (RBPs) are key parasite proteins that interact with human proteins during erythrocyte invasion and are targets of the human immune response. The aim of this study is to characterize the human antibody response to RBP2P1, the most recently described member of the RBP family. Methods The levels of total IgG and IgM against RBP2P1 were measured using plasmas from 68 P. vivax malaria patients and 525 villagers in a malarious village of western Thailand. The latter group comprises asymptomatic carriers and healthy uninfected individuals. Subsets of plasma samples were evaluated for anti-RBP2P1 IgG subtypes and complement-fixing activity. Results As age increased, it was found that the level of anti-RBP2P1 IgG increased while the level of IgM decreased. The main anti-RBP2P1 IgG subtypes were IgG1 and IgG3. The IgG3-seropositive rate was higher in asymptomatic carriers than in patients. The higher level of IgG3 was correlated with higher in vitro RBP2P1-mediated complement fixing activity. Conclusions In natural infection, the primary IgG response to RBP2P1 was IgG1 and IgG3. The predominance of these cytophilic subtypes and the elevated level of IgG3 correlating with complement fixing activity, suggest a possible role of anti-RBP2P1 antibodies in immunity against P. vivax.

Abstract 102: Cd98 Modulates Atherosclerotic Plaque Morphology by Regulating Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation via the P-38 Map Kinase Pathway

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara McCurdy ◽  
Yvonne Baumer ◽  
Franz Hess ◽  
William A Boisvert
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Smooth Muscle Cells ◽  
Smooth Muscle Cell ◽  
Atherosclerotic Plaque ◽  
Necrotic Core ◽  
Plaque Morphology ◽  
Fibrous Cap ◽  
Plaque Area

Smooth muscle cells (SMC) are known to migrate and proliferate to form a stabilizing fibrous cap that encapsulates atherosclerotic plaques. It has been shown that CD98hc, a transmembrane protein with a known role in amino acid transport and integrin signaling, is involved in proliferation and survival of various cell types including SMC. Based on these data, we hypothesized that CD98hc deficiency selectively in SMC would have pathogenic effects on atherosclerosis development and plaque composition. To test this, we utilized mice with SMC-specific deletion of the CD98hc ( CD98hc fl/fl SM22Cre + ) to determine the effects of CD98hc deficiency on SMC function in the context of atherosclerosis. We performed in vitro proliferation and survival/apoptosis assays to investigate the role of CD98hc in the proliferation and survival of primary mouse aortic vascular smooth muscle cells. We found that VSMC isolated from whole aortas of CD98hc -/- animals displayed approximately 60% reduced cell counts compared to control (41 ± 8.2% of control) after 5 days in culture. EdU assays in vivo showed a defect in the ability of CD98hc -/- SMC to proliferate, with 25% reduction in EdU-positive VSMC compared to controls (2.3 ± 0.2% vs 3 ± 0.2%). In addition, caspase-3 staining of SMC in vitro displayed a 41% increase in propensity of CD98hc -/- SMC to undergo apoptosis compared to controls (7.9 ± 0.6% vs 5.6 ± 0.5%). Furthermore, the absence of CD98hc in SMC caused a sharp increase in phosphorylated p-38, which was partially abrogated towards control levels when the cells were treated with PDGF-BB to induce proliferation. Long-term atherosclerosis study using SMC-CD98hc -/- /LDLR -/- mice showed that atherosclerotic plaque morphology was altered with increased necrotic core area (25.8 ± 1.9% vs 10.9 ± 1.6% necrotic core area per plaque area) due to a reduction in infiltration of SMC within the plaque (2.1 ± 0.4% vs 4.3 ± 0.4% SM22α positive area per plaque area) compared to control LDLR -/- mice. These data support an important role for CD98hc and its regulation of p-38 MAP kinase signaling in aortic vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and survival. We conclude that CD98hc is critical for the formation of fibrous cap that is important in maintaining the stability of atherosclerotic plaque.

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