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Makoto Sugiyama

Publications and source records attributed to Makoto Sugiyama.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

Involvement of nucleoprotein, phosphoprotein, and matrix protein genes of rabies virus in virulence for adult mice.

Rabies virus Ni-CE strain causes nonlethal infection in adult mice after intracerebral inoculation, whereas the parental Nishigahara strain kills mice. In this study, to identify viral gene(s) related to the difference in pathogenicity between Ni-CE and Nishigahara strains, we generated chimeric viruses with respective genes of the virulent Nishigahara strain in the background of the avirulent Ni-CE genome. Since chimeric viruses, which had the N, P, or M genes of the Nishigahara strain, respectively, killed adult mice after intracerebral inoculation, it became evident that the N, P, and M genes are related to the difference in pathogenicity between Ni-CE and Nishigahara strains. Previously, we showed that the G gene is a major contributor to the difference in pathogenicity between another avirulent strain, RC-HL, and the parental Nishigahara strain. These results imply that the attenuation mechanism of the Ni-CE strain is different from that of the RC-HL strain, thus suggesting that rabies virus can be attenuated by diverse mechanisms. This is the first report of changes in viral genes other than the G gene of rabies virus causing the reversion of pathogenicity of an avirulent strain.

Animals↗

[Nelson's syndrome].

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Diagnosis, Differential↗

Multigenic relation to the attenuation of rabies virus.

Rabies virus Nishigahara strain causes lethal infection in adult mice after intracerebral inoculation. On the other hand, the RC-HL strain, derived from the Nishigahara strain, does not cause lethal infection in adult mice. We previously demonstrated that a chimeric virus, R(G), with the open reading frame of the G gene (G-ORF) from the Nishigahara strain in the background of the RC-HL genome, is virulent. Reversely, in order to demonstrate that the G gene of the RC-HL strain is related to the attenuated phenotype, we established a reverse genetics system of the Nishigahara strain and generated a chimeric virus, Ni(G), with the G-ORF from RC-HL in the background of the Nishigahara genome. Contrary to our prediction, Ni(G) killed adult mice after intracerebral inoculation with neuropathic symptoms like those of Nishigahara strain infection. Therefore, the G-ORF of the RC-HL strain is not the sole determinant of the attenuated phenotype. In additional investigation, we examined other genes, including N, P, M and L genes, and generated chimeric viruses exhaustively. We found that chimeric viruses with a single gene from the RC-HL were not attenuated and that chimeric viruses with the G-ORF and at least one other ORF from the RC-HL were attenuated. In conclusion, attenuation from the Nishigahara to RC-HL strain is multigenic.

Animals↗

Characterization of recombinant rabies virus carrying double glycoprotein genes.

A recombinant rabies virus carrying double glycoprotein (G) genes, R(NPMGGL) strain, was generated by a reverse genetics system utilizing cloned cDNA of the RC-HL strain, and the biological properties of the virus were compared to those of the recombinant RC-HL (rRC-HL) strain. The extents of virus growth in cultured cells and virulence for adult mice of the R(NPMGGL) strain were almost same as those of the rRC-HL strain, while G protein content of the purified R(NPMGGL) virion and G protein expression level in R(NPMGGL)-infected cells were 1.5-fold higher than those of the rRC-HL strain. As a result of serial passages of the R(NPMGGL) strain in cultured cells, the expression level of G protein in cultured cells infected with the passaged R(NPMGGL) strain was maintained and virus titers rose with adaptation to the cultured cells. Furthermore, analysis of neutralization titers in mice immunized with UVinactivated virus suggested that the R(NPMGGL) strain had higher immunogenicity than that of the rRC-HL strain. The results suggest that the R(NPMGGL) strain carrying double G genes might be a useful candidate for development of a new inactivated rabies vaccine.

Animals↗

Sensitivity of rabies virus to type I interferon is determined by the phosphoprotein gene.

The growth of a virulent strain of fixed rabies virus, Nishigahara, in mouse neuroblastoma NA cells treated with type I interferon (IFN) was compared with that of a derivative avirulent strain, Ni-CE. Nishigahara strain was slightly sensitive to IFN treatment but still grew more efficiently than did Ni-CE strain in IFN-treated NA cells. Furthermore, a virulent chimeric virus with the phosphoprotein gene from Nishigahara strain in the Ni-CE genome was less sensitive to IFN treatment than was Ni-CE strain, indicating that the IFN sensitivity is determined by the phosphoprotein gene of the virus.

Animals↗

Multiple amino acids in the glycoprotein of rabies virus are responsible for pathogenicity in adult mice.

We have reported that the region between amino acids 164 and 303 in the glycoprotein of rabies Nishigahara strain is important for lethality in adult mice. The region contains nine amino acid substitutions between the virulent Nishigahara and the avirulent RC-HL strains. In order to determine key residues for the pathogenicity, two chimeric strains and seven mutants were generated and examined for pathogenicities. The R(G 242/255/268) strain, in which amino acids at positions 242, 255, and 268 were replaced by those from the Nishigahara strain in the genomic backbone of the RC-HL strain, showed the same lethality as that of the Nishigahara strain in mice. Mutants in which one or two of these three amino acids were replaced by those from the Nishigahara strain did not revert to the lethality of the R(G 242/255/268) strain. These results demonstrate that at least these three amino acids are related to enhancement of pathogenicity. It is thought that multiple amino acids of the G protein are related to the pathogenicity of rabies viruses.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Characterization of M gene-deficient rabies virus with advantages of effective immunization and safety as a vaccine strain.

Matrix (M) protein of rabies virus is known to play an important role in assembly and budding of the progeny virus. We generated an M gene-deficient rabies virus, RC-HLDeltaM, using a reverse genetics system of rabies virus RC-HL strain to develop a novel type of vaccine. RC-HLDeltaM infection was confined within a single cell in mouse neuroblastoma cells. This deficient virus failed to generate the progeny virus in the cells. In contrast, RC-HLDeltaM propagated in BHK cells inductively expressing M protein. Suckling and adult mice inoculated intracerebrally with the parental RC-HL strain showed lethal infection and transient body weight loss, respectively, whereas both suckling and adult mice inoculated with RC-HLDeltaM showed no symptoms. The neutralizing antibody against rabies virus was successfully induced by intramuscular immunization with 10(5) focus-forming units of RC-HLDeltaM but not UV-inactivated RC-HL. Intranasal immunization with RC-HLDeltaM resulted in almost the same antibody titer to rabies virus as that in the case of immunization with live RC-HL strain. These findings indicate that RC-HLDeltaM is a candidate for a novel rabies vaccine that is safer and more effective than are current vaccines.

Administration, Intranasal↗

Region at amino acids 164 to 303 of the rabies virus glycoprotein plays an important role in pathogenicity for adult mice.

The authors have previously reported that the glycoprotein of the pathogenic Nishigahara strain of rabies virus is required to lethality for adult mice. A cluster region of amino acid substitutions exists at the positions 164 to 303 on the glycoprotein between avirulent and virulent strains. In this study, the authors generated a chimeric strain having the region at the positions 164 to 303 of the glycoprotein derived from the pathogenic Nishigahara strain in the genetic background of the avirulent RC-HL strain. The chimeric R(G 164-303) strain restores the lethality for adult mice. This result clearly shows that the region at the position 164 to 303 of glycoprotein plays an important role in the lethality for adult mice. Moreover, the authors observed that the lethality for adult mice correlated well with the viral growth in a brain but not with the pH-dependent fusion activity in vitro.

Age Factors↗

Attachment and infection to MA104 cells of avian rotaviruses require the presence of sialic acid on the cell surface.

To determine the characters of receptors on target cells for avian rotaviruses, the receptors on MA104 cells for the pigeon rotavirus PO-13, the turkey rotaviruses Ty-1 and Ty-3, and the chicken rotavirus Ch-1 were analyzed. Pretreatment of MA104 cells with neuraminidase greatly reduced the infection by all of the four avian rotavirus strains. Binding of the cell-attachment protein, purified VP8 expressed in bacteria, of strain PO-13 to MA104 cells was also inhibited by pretreatment of cells with neuraminidase. These findings suggest that avian rotaviruses primarily utilize sialic acid-containing molecules as receptors on MA 104 cells.

Animals↗

Roles of outer capsid proteins as determinants of pathogenicity and host range restriction of avian rotaviruses in a suckling mouse model.

We previously demonstrated that a pigeon rotavirus, PO-13, but not turkey strains Ty-3 and Ty-1 and a chicken strain, Ch-1, induced diarrhea in heterologous suckling mice. In this study, it was suggested that these avirulent strains, but not PO-13, were inactivated immediately in gastrointestinal tracts of suckling mice when they were orally inoculated. To determine which viral proteins contribute to the differences between the pathogenicitiy and the inactivation of PO-13 and Ty-3 in suckling mice, six PO-13 x Ty-3 reassortant strains that had the genes of the outer capsid proteins, VP4 and VP7, derived from the opposite strain were prepared and were orally inoculated to suckling mice. A single strain that had both PO-13 VP4 and VP7 with the genetic background of Ty-3 had an intermediate virulence for suckling mice. Three strains with Ty-3 VP7, regardless of the origin of VP4, rapidly disappeared from gastrointestinal tracts of suckling mice. These results indicated that the difference between the pathogenicity of PO-13 and that of Ty-3 was mainly dependent on both their VP4 and VP7. In particular, VP7 was found to be related to the inactivation of Ty-3 in gastrointestinal tracts of suckling mice.

Animals↗

Improved recovery of rabies virus from cloned cDNA using a vaccinia virus-free reverse genetics system.

To improve efficiency of recovery of rabies virus from cloned cDNA, we established a BHK cell clone that stably expresses T7 RNA polymerase, which we named BHK/T7-9. We also constructed new helper plasmids for expression of nucleoprotein and RNA polymerase of the RC-HL strain using the pTM1 plasmid vector, which makes the T7 RNA polymerase-transcripts from the plasmid cap-independent for translation. After co-transfection of these helper plasmids and the previously constructed full-length genome plasmid of the RC-HL strain to BHK/T7-9 cells, recombinant rabies virus was efficiently recovered from the cloned cDNA.

Cell Line↗

Genetic characterization of rabies field isolates from Thailand.

We sequenced 512 nucleotides in two variable regions of the N gene of 23 rabies isolates from the northeastern part of Thailand by direct sequencing of PCR-amplified products. The sequencing data revealed two new lineages in these rabies isolates. Based on the results of this study together with the findings of our earlier study, the rabies isolates in Thailand were divided into two genogroups, designated as T1 and T2, which were predominantly localized in the northern and northeastern areas, respectively. Each of these two genogroups consisted of four lineages. There was a correlation between these eight lineages and the geographical origins of the isolates. Two lineages belonging to the T2 genogroup from the northeastern area of Thailand were newly identified in this study. The isolates in both genogroups were also prevalent in the central area of Thailand. Each lineage in the T1 and T2 genogroups was found independently in dogs in the upper and lower southern areas of Thailand, respectively. These genetic data and the historical background suggest that rabies viruses belonging to the T2 genogroups were prevalent many years ago in the central and northeastern areas of Thailand and were later transferred to the lower southern parts of Thailand.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Antigenic analysis of nonstructural protein (NSP) 4 of group A avian rotavirus strain PO-13.

In order to analyze the antigenic structure of nonstructural protein (NSP) 4 of group A avian rotavirus strain PO-13, 25 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against NSP4 expressed in Escherichia coli were produced. All MAbs reacted with NSP4 on Western blotting, indicating that they recognized sequential epitopes. To determine the antigenic sites (ASs) recognized by the produced MAbs, seven truncated NSP4s were expressed in E. coli. Western blotting analysis showed that there are at least four major ASs on PO-13 NSP4, designated as AS I located in amino acids (aa) 151 to 169, AS II (aa 136 to 150), AS III (aa 112 to 133) and AS IV (aa 1 to 24). Two MAbs reacted exclusively with AS III encompassing the region that has been reported to be an enterotoxin domain. MAbs against ASs II, III and IV reacted with all avian rotaviruses tested by indirect immunofluorescent antibody assays. MAbs against AS I reacted with turkey strains, Ty-1 and Ty-3, but not with a chicken strain, Ch-1. Nine of 11 MAbs against AS II cross-reacted with NSP4 of mammalian rotavirus strains with different NSP4 genotypes. These results suggest that AS II on NSP4 is widely conserved among a variety of rotaviruses.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Isothermal amplification of rabies virus gene.

A sensitive and specific in situ amplification technique is needed to elucidate the dynamics of rabies virus in the body during the long incubation period after infection. To overcome the disadvantage of using the traditional reverse transcription (RT)-PCR in in situ studies, an isothermal nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA) technique was developed for detection of the rabies virus gene. The NASBA technique involves the use of 4 enzymatic activities to produce multiple RNA copies of the target sequence by means of double-strand cDNA intermediates under an isothermal condition without thermocycling. The amplified cDNA intermediates from the genomic RNA in the rabies virion and the total RNA in the infected cells in NASBA reaction were analyzed by Southern hybridization assays. The specific amplified products of the rabies viral gene with the expected length were detected after 8 hr of incubation in NASBA using both of the RNAs as templates. The NASBA system used in this study was less sensitive than the general RT-PCR technique. This may have been because we employed Southern hybridization for the amplified cDNA intermediates, not many RNA copies, to evaluate the NASBA results. In conclusion, we successfully amplified the rabies viral gene in the NASBA reaction under an isothermal condition. The unique character of this technique would make it particularly valuable for in situ studies not only on rabies virus but also on other RNA viruses.

Animals↗

Sequential analysis of nonstructural protein NSP4s derived from Group A avian rotaviruses.

We determined the NSP4 sequences of turkey rotavirus strains Ty-1 and Ty-3 and a chicken rotavirus, strain Ch-1, and compared these sequences with those of a pigeon rotavirus, strain PO-13, and mammalian rotaviruses. The turkey strains and PO-13 were found to be closely related (90-97% homologies). Ch-1 NSP4 was distinctly different from other avian rotavirus NSP4s, with 78-79% homologies. The NSP4 sequences of avian rotaviruses were found to be 6-7 amino acids shorter than those of all mammalian strains and to have considerably low identities (31-37%) with them. Therefore, it seems highly likely that the NSP4 genes of avian rotaviruses are classified into two NSP4 genotypes distinct from those of mammalian rotaviruses. The enterotoxin domain in NSP4 is conserved in terms of its sequential and structural properties despite extremely low homologies in the full lengths of NSP4s in avian and mammalian rotaviruses.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Diarrhea-inducing activity of avian rotavirus NSP4 glycoproteins, which differ greatly from mammalian rotavirus NSP4 glycoproteins in deduced amino acid sequence in suckling mice.

Avian rotavirus NSP4 glycoproteins expressed in Escherichia coli acted as enterotoxins in suckling mice, as did mammalian rotavirus NSP4 glycoproteins, despite great differences in the amino acid sequences. The enterotoxin domain of PO-13 NSP4 exists in amino acid residues 109 to 135, a region similar to that reported in SA11 NSP4.

Amino Acids↗

Identification of immunodominant neutralizing epitopes on the hemagglutinin protein of rinderpest virus.

The immunodominant epitopes on the hemagglutinin protein of rinderpest virus (RPV-H) were determined by analyzing selected monoclonal antibody (MAb)-resistant mutants and estimating the level of antibody against each epitope in five RPV-infected rabbits with the competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA). Six neutralizing epitopes were identified, at residues 474 (epitope A), 243 (B), 548 to 551 (D), 587 to 592 (E), 310 to 313 (G), and 383 to 387 (H), from the data on the amino acid substitutions of hemagglutinin protein of MAb-resistant mutants and the reactivities of MAbs against RPV-H to the other morbilliviruses. The epitopes identified in this study are all positioned on the loop of the propeller-like structure in a hypothetical three-dimensional model of RPV-H (J. P. M. Langedijk et al., J. Virol. 71:6155-6167, 1997). Polyclonal sera obtained from five rabbits infected experimentally with RPV were examined by c-ELISA using a biotinylated MAb against each epitope as a competitor. Although these rabbit sera hardly blocked binding of each MAb to epitopes A and B, they moderately blocked binding of each MAb to epitopes G and D and strongly blocked binding of each MAb to epitopes E and H. These results suggest that epitopes at residues 383 to 387 and 587 to 592 may be immunodominant in humoral immunity to RPV infection.

Amino Acid Sequence↗