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N-linked glycosylation status of classical swine fever virus strain Brescia E2 glycoprotein influences virulence in swine.

E2 is one of the three envelope glycoproteins of classical swine fever virus (CSFV). Previous studies indicate that E2 is involved in several functions, including virus attachment and entry to target cells, production of antibodies, induction of protective immune response in swine, and virulence. Here, we have investigated the role of E2 glycosylation of the highly virulent CSFV strain Brescia in infection of the natural host. Seven putative glycosylation sites in E2 were modified by site-directed mutagenesis of a CSFV Brescia infectious clone (BICv). A panel of virus mutants was obtained and used to investigate whether the removal of putative glycosylation sites in the E2 glycoprotein would affect viral virulence/pathogenesis in swine. We observed that rescue of viable virus was completely impaired by removal of all putative glycosylation sites in E2 but restored when mutation N185A reverted to wild-type asparagine produced viable virus that was attenuated in swine. Single mutations of each of the E2 glycosylation sites showed that amino acid N116 (N1v virus) was responsible for BICv attenuation. N1v efficiently protected swine from challenge with virulent BICv at 3 and 28 days postinfection, suggesting that glycosylation of E2 could be modified for development of classical swine fever live attenuated vaccines.

Animals↗

De novo RNA synthesis by a recombinant classical swine fever virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase.

Classical swine fever virus nonstructural protein 5B (NS5B) encodes an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, a key enzyme of the viral replication complex. To better understand the initiation of viral RNA synthesis and to establish an in vitro replication system, a recombinant NS5B protein, lacking the C-terminal 24-amino acid hydrophobic domain, was expressed in Escherichia coli. The truncated fusion protein (NS5Bdelta24) was purified on a Ni-chelating HisTrap affinity column and demonstrated to initiate either plus- or minus-strand viral RNA synthesis de novo in a primer-independent manner but not by terminal nucleotidyle transferase activity. De novo RNA synthesis represented the preferred mechanism for initiation of classical swine fever virus RNA synthesis by RNA-dependent RNA polymerase in vitro. Both Mg2+ and Mn2+ supported de novo initiation, however, RNA synthesis was more efficient in the presence of Mn2+ than in the presence of Mg2+. De novo initiation of RNA synthesis was stimulated by preincubation with 0.5 mm GTP, and a 3'-terminal cytidylate on the viral RNA template was preferred for de novo initiation. Furthermore, the purified protein was also shown, by North-Western blot analysis, to specifically interact with the 3'-end of both plus- and minus-strand viral RNA templates.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

Inhibition of virus replication in the tonsils of pigs previously vaccinated with a Chinese strain vaccine and challenged oronasally with a virulent strain of classical swine fever virus.

After an oronasal (O.N.) infection with classical swine fever (C.S.F.) virus, virus multiplication can be detected in the tonsils from Day 2 post infection (p.i.) till death. The course of viral replication during the first 10 days after O.N. challenge exposure of pigs, previously vaccinated with a Chinese strain vaccine in the presence or absence of maternal antibodies, was studied using direct immunofluorescence techniques on cryostat sections and virus isolations. When piglets were challenged O.N. in the presence of maternal antibodies, virus replication in the tonsils still occurred. The multiplication period and the localization of the virus, however, were directly correlated to the maternal antibody levels. The maternal antibody level also seems responsible for the efficacy of the vaccination to prevent challenge virus replication in the tonsils: vaccination in the presence of low maternal antibody titers completely inhibited virus replication; vaccination in the presence of high maternal antibody titers only reduced the multiplication period of the O.N.-administered virulent virus. In both cases, animals were challenged 1 week post vaccination. Vaccination of seronegative animals resulted in an almost complete inhibition of the virus replication in the tonsils during a full fattening period: cryostat sections revealed a limited virus replication in three out of 20 animals. In one of these animals, virus replication was probably so negligible that virus isolation remained negative.

Animals↗

Quantification of the effect of control strategies on classical swine fever epidemics.

Emergency vaccination during an epidemic of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) has become a serious option because of the ethical problems of strategies with massive culling and the availability of a marker vaccine that reduces virus transmission. Here we present a model of between-herd CSFV transmission, which quantifies the effect of control strategies with and without vaccination. We estimate the model parameters from data of the Dutch CSFV epidemic of 1997/1998. With the model, a set of control strategies is compared, consisting of five control measures in several combinations. Consequently, the following general requirements of successful strategies can be formulated. First, to achieve extinction of a CSFV epidemic, transmission through transport should be prevented and the indirect virus transmission, i.e. all transmission not through animal contacts, should at least be halved, either by vaccination or by culling of the susceptible pig population. Second, to minimize the size and duration of an epidemic, the extinction requirements should be met quickly and indirect virus transmission should be reduced by far more than a half. Although the origin of the model parameters let the requirements in fact be only applicable for the south-eastern part of the Netherlands, it is argued that epidemics in other areas will not need stricter control strategies.

Animals↗

[Oral immunization of suckling piglets against classic swine fever].

Attempts were made to immunize suckling pigs against classic swine fever. The pigs were treated orally, originating from sows which were immunized on the 30th-40th and the 90th-100th day of pregnancy, as well as from sows which were vaccinated one month prior to impregnation. A Bulgarian lapinized K vaccine and a Soviet LK-VNIIVViM cell culture were used (immunization being carried out 1-2 hours before the newborns were allowed to suck) at the rate of 150 doses for both vaccines. It was demonstrated that the application of a live vaccine, which was patterned as cited above, eliminated the inhibiting action of colostral antibodies and induced stable postvaccinal immunity. However, the effectiveness of the immunity conferred depended on the vaccine used in each specific case. The Soviet vaccine, in which the amount of the virus per vaccinal dose was five times as much, was shown to be more appropriate to the needs for oral immunization of suckling pigs of sows that were immune to classic swine fever than the lapinized K vaccine.

Administration, Oral↗

Classical swine fever virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes and identification of a T cell epitope.

Classical swine fever virus (CSFV)-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) were derived from peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes of immunized NIH-minipigs (MHC d/d haplotype) after in vitro restimulation with infectious CSFV. Their cytotoxic activity was determined against CSFV-infected target cells obtained from simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen-transfected immortalized kidney cells of a syngeneic miniature swine. Experiments with separated effector cell populations revealed that the CSFV-specific cytotoxic activity was mediated by CD4(-)CD6+CD8+ MHC class I-restricted T lymphocytes. Infection of target cells with various vaccinia virus/CSFV recombinants led to the identification of a major antigenic site for CSFV-specific CTL near the cleavage site between the non-structural proteins p80 (NS3) and p10 (NS4a). Using synthetic overlapping nonapeptides which covered this protein region the sequence ENALLVALF is the first sequence to be identified as an MHC class I-restricted T cell epitope recognized by CSFV-specific CTL.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Immunopathogenesis of classical swine fever: role of monocytic cells.

Virulent classical swine fever (CSF) represents an immunomodulatory viral infection that perturbs immune functions. Circulatory and immunopathological disorders include leukopenia, immunosuppression and haemorrhage. Monocytic cells - targets for CSF virus (CSFV) infection - could play critical roles in the immunopathology, owing to their production of immunomodulatory and vasoactive factors. Monocytes and macrophages (Mphi) are susceptible to virus infection, as a consequence of which prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production is enhanced. The presence of PGE2 in serum from CSFV-infected pigs correlated with elevated PGE2 productivity by the peripheral blood mononuclear cells from these same animals. It was noted that these PGE2-containing preparations did not inhibit, but actually enhanced, lymphocyte proliferation. The proinflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin (IL)-6 were not involved, although elevated IL-1 production could relate to lymphocyte activation. Nevertheless, IL-1 was not the sole element: infected Mphi produced lympho-stimulatory activity but little IL-1. This release of immunomodulatory factors, following CSFV infection of monocytic cells, was compared with other characteristics of the disease. Therein, PGE2 and IL-1 production was noted to coincide with the onset of fever and the coagulation disorders typical of CSF. Consequently, these factors are of greater relevance to the haemorrhagic disturbances, such as petechia and infarction, rather than the leukopenia found in CSF.

Animals↗

Mutations abrogating the RNase activity in glycoprotein E(rns) of the pestivirus classical swine fever virus lead to virus attenuation.

Classical swine fever (CSF) is a severe hemorrhagic disease of swine caused by the pestivirus CSF virus (CSFV). Amino acid exchanges or deletions introduced by site-directed mutagenesis into the putative active site of the RNase residing in the glycoprotein E(rns) of CSFV abolished the enzymatic activity of this protein, as demonstrated with an RNase test suitable for detection of the enzymatic activity in crude cell extracts. Incorporation of the altered sequences into an infectious CSFV clone resulted in recovery of viable viruses upon RNA transfection, except for a variant displaying a deletion of the histidine codon at position 297 of the long open reading frame. These RNase-negative virus mutants displayed growth characteristics in tissue culture that were undistinguishable from wild-type virus and were stable for at least seven passages. In contrast to animals inoculated with an RNase-positive control virus, infection of piglets with an RNase-negative mutant containing a deletion of the histidine codon 346 of the open reading frame did not lead to CSF. Neither fever nor extended viremia could be detected. Animals infected with this mutant did not show decrease of peripheral B cells, a characteristic feature of CSF in swine. Animal experiments with four other mutants with either exchanges of codons 297 or 346 or double exchanges of both codons 297 and 346 showed that all these RNase-negative mutants were attenuated. All viruses with mutations affecting codon 346 were completely apathogenic, whereas those containing only changes of codon 297 consistently induced clinical symptoms for several days, followed by sudden recovery. Analyses of reisolated viruses gave no indication for the presence of revertants in the infected animals.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Genetic variability of classical swine fever virus.

The genetic variability of classical swine fever virus was studied by comparative nucleotide sequence analysis of 76 virus isolates, collected during a half century from three continents. Parts of the E2 (gp55) and the polymerase gene coding regions of the viral genome were amplified by RT-PCR and DNA fragments of 254 and 207 bp, respectively, were sequenced. The comparative sequence analysis of the E2 region revealed two main phylogenetic groups of CSFV, indicating that the virus apparently evolved from two ancestor nodes. Group I (represented by Brescia strain) consisted of old and recent American and Asian viruses, as well as old English isolates from the 1950s. This group was subdivided into three subgroups, termed I.A-I.C. Group II (represented by Alfort strain) consisted of relatively recent isolates from Europe, together with strain Osaka, which was isolated in Japan from a pig of European origin. Based on genetic distances the group was divided into subgroups II.A and II.B. Malaysian isolates were branched into both groups, indicating multiple origins for contemporaneous outbreaks in that country. All ten vaccine strains tested were branched in group I, implying a common ancestor. The Japanese Kanagawa strain, isolated in 1974, and the British Congenital Tremor strain from 1964 were the most distinct variants of CSFV in our collection. The comparison of the nucleotide sequences of the polymerase coding region of 32 European strains distinguished subgroups II.A and II.B which were similar to the corresponding subgroups of the E2 phylogenetic tree. Thus, the results revealed that the E2 region and the polymerase coding regions seem to be appropriate for the grouping of CSFV isolates from all over the world, distinguishing two major groups of the virus. The reliability of these regions for phylogenetic analysis is indicated by the similarity of the results obtained from the two separate parts of the CSFV genome.

Base Sequence↗

Detection of classical swine fever virus in archival formalin-fixed tissues by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

Classical swine fever (CSF) is an economically important Office International des Epizooties list A disease of swine. Inadequate diagnostic infrastructure in developing countries may sometimes make the conduit of viable samples to diagnostic laboratories difficult and at times formalin-fixed tissues may be the only morbid materials available which are not amenable to most laboratory tests. The potential diagnostic abilities in such situations would be enhanced if a highly sensitive and specific method as reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) could be applied to such samples. In the present study, archival formalin-fixed CSF samples were subjected to successful RT-PCR amplification of a 172-bp fragment from E2/NS2 region of CSFV genome. The fidelity of amplification was established by a dot-blot hybridization assay employing a homologous biotinylated cDNA probe. The optimized procedure may be resorted to as a diagnostic tool if viable samples are unavailable and may have the potential to facilitate retrospective studies on archival samples.

Animals↗

Comparison of the effects of RNase-negative and wild-type classical swine fever virus on peripheral blood cells of infected pigs.

Elimination of the RNase activity of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) glycoprotein E(rns) was previously shown to result in virus attenuation. Specific reduction of B cell numbers in the peripheral blood, a typical symptom of CSFV infection in pigs, was not detected on infection with the RNase-negative mutant C-H346Delta [Meyers et al. (1999). J Virol 73, 10224-10235]. The present report shows that this feature is restricted to this specific virus mutant, and does not represent a general property of RNase-negative CSFV. The effects induced by infection with two other RNase-negative and wild-type (wt) CSFV strains on the composition of peripheral blood cells have been further analysed. For all viruses, not only general leukopenia but also a reduction of different subsets of leukocytes (T-lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes) was detected. Similar to the results with B-cells, no significant differences with regard to changes in cell number were determined for RNase-negative mutants and wt virus during the initial phase of infection. Later, the values returned to pre-infection levels for the mutants, but stayed at low levels in the wt virus-infected animals. A major difference was reflected in the virus load of the infected animals, which was dramatically higher for pigs infected with wt CSFV, so that reduction of the virus load represents a further marker for attenuation resulting from RNase destruction. Attenuation was also detectable for the RNase-negative mutant C-W300G, which showed rapid reversion to the wt sequence within the infected pig. The prevention of fatal disease after infection with C-W300G is apparently determined during the short time between infection and reversion, as the virus revertant reisolated from infected pigs was shown to be virulent when used for infection in a follow-up study. Reversion of C-W300G was also detected in tissue culture during passage on swine testis epithelioid cells and porcine transformed kidney (MAX) cells, whereas the mutation was stable when SK6 or 38A1D cells were tested.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Expression of the glycoprotein E2 of the classical swine fever virus in Escherichia coli.

The glycoprotein E2 sequences of classical swine fever virus (strain p97) were cloned, sequenced and expressed in E. coli. Result from SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of expressed proteins revealed the presence of a prominently stained band corresponding to a molecular mass of 61 kDa, which is in agreement with the predicted size from the DNA sequence. The recombinant E2 protein contained an aminoterminal tag of six histidines that could be used for purification by the nickel chelate affinity chromatography. The elution fractions of the expressed protein also contain additional bands of 40 and 35 kDa proteins, indicating proteolytic cleavages might occur. Our Western blotting result also supported that the expression of the recombinant E2 protein of the classical swine fever virus were accomplished.

Animals↗

Phylogenetic analysis of recent isolates of classical swine fever virus from Colombia.

The ability to discriminate between different classical Swine fever virus (CSFV) isolates is a prerequisite for identifying the possible origin of an outbreak. To determine the relatedness between Colombian isolates from different geographical regions, genetic sequences of the glycoprotein E2 and the 5'UTR of CSFV were amplified by PCR, sequenced and compared with reference strains of different genetic grouping. The viruses originated from classical swine fever (CSF) outbreaks in Colombia during 1998-2002. All viruses characterized belonged to genogroup 1 and were members of the subgroup 1.1. The results indicate that the outbreaks from the year 2002 are caused by a strain related to the virus CSF/Santander, isolated in 1980, suggesting that the current CSF outbreaks are the consequence of a single strain that continues to circulate in the field. For the first time, an association between isolates from outbreaks in Colombia in the 1990s was established with a virus isolate from Brazil, indicating a possible origin of the virus causing the outbreak.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

Molecular epidemiology of classical swine fever in Cuba.

The origin and evolution of the classical swine fever (CSF) epizootic that occurred in Cuba from 1993 to 1997 has been investigated by the analysis of E2 gene sequences from 15 representative viral isolates as well as the vaccine and the challenge strains used in this country. In the phylogenetic tree derived from these sequences, the Cuban isolates were located in a defined cluster within the previously reported genomic subgroup 1.2. This cluster was related, although distinguishable, from the live vaccine used in Cuba since 1965. Two further groups were identified. One of them included the early viruses isolated in the western part of Cuba until 1996 and the strain Margarita, used for vaccine potency tests since 1965. These results are consistent with the strain Margarita being the origin of the western outbreaks. The viruses isolated from 1996 in eastern Cuba defined a related, but independent group. The level of sequence variation observed in this group does not exclude an independent origin for the eastern isolates.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Epidemiology and control of an outbreak of classical swine fever in wild boar in Switzerland.

An outbreak of classical swine fever in wild boar in the southern part of Switzerland (Canton of Ticino) was investigated after the implementation of control measures in a defined infected area (the risk zone), and in a surrounding surveillance zone (the non-risk zone). After the disease had been detected, hunting was not allowed in the risk zone for over six months, during which the disease was left to run its course, but hunting was continued in the non-risk zone for one month. After seven months, a hunting strategy targeted at young animals was implemented in both zones. Between May 1998 and January 2000,1294 wild boar were shot or found dead, and diagnostic and biological data were collected and analysed. Only one animal from the non-risk zone was found to be seropositive for antibodies to the virus, whereas 179 of 528 wild boar from the risk zone were virus positive and 162 were seropositive. The proportion of virus-positive animals decreased from 62.7 per cent to zero over one year. During the first hunting season, seropositive animals were found in all age groups, but 12 months later only animals more than one year old had antibodies against the virus.

Animals↗

Detection of classical swine fever virus in semen of infected boars.

During the Classical Swine Fever (CSF) epidemic in 1997 in the EU member states Germany, Italy, Spain and The Netherlands, boars in an artificial insemination (AI) centre were found to be infected with CSF virus. This raised a question of epidemiological importance which could not be answered immediately. Can CSF virus be shed by semen of infected boars and what conclusions concerning the risk of spreading CSF infection by semen can be drawn. Experimental studies were conducted to answer this question. Four young boars were infected with a CSF field virus isolate from Germany, which had been characterised in a previous animal experiment. Semen was collected at least every other day after infection. The semen was subjected to the standard diagnostic procedure for the detection of CSF virus and to semen quality assessment. The boars were euthanized at day 8, 12, 16 and 21 post infection, respectively. A post mortem examination was done and organ samples were taken from the CSF reference organs and genital organs for the detection of virus and antigen. The course of CSF infection of the boars was mild but detectable during the second week of infection. CSF virus could be isolated from semen of two animals during the pyrexic phase and from the epididymis but not from the testes. Since CSF virus shedding via semen could be proven, it was concluded that the disease may also be transmitted by artificial insemination. However analysis of semen in cell culture for the presence of CSF virus is not suitable as a routine method for CSF diagnosis.

Animals↗

[Genetic typing of German isolates of classical swine fever virus].

During the last decade several outbreaks of classical swine fever (CSF) occurred in Germany in domestic pigs and in wild boar, respectively. Two major epidemics which also affected other EU Member States were recorded. To support epidemiological investigations genetic typing was applied and virus isolates originating from different outbreaks in Germany were assigned to groups and virus types. Two genomic regions were selected for the phylogenetic analysis, namely 150 nucleotides from the 5' non-translated region (5'-NTR) and 190 nucleotides from the E2 glycoprotein gene. All German CSF virus isolates of the nineties (Group 2) were distinct from former reference strains (Group 1). Within Group 2 both genomic regions allowed to distinguish three subgroups, namely 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3. Within subgroup 2.3 five virus types could be discriminated using the 5'-NTR sequences. These are 2.3*Uelzen and 2.3*Spreda, mainly with isolates from Lower Saxony, as well as 2.3*Rostock, 2.3*Güstrow and 2.3*Spante, mainly with isolates from Eastern Germany. Analysis of the E2 gene fragment allowed a better discrimination between single isolates, but only two virus types could be defined: 2.3*MV/BB, comprising the isolates from Eastern Germany, and 2.3*NI, with the isolates from Lower Saxony. Genetic typing allowed to discriminate between isolates involved in different CSF epidemics, and was useful for tracing the origin and spread of CSF viruses. Due to the close relationship between German CSF virus isolates, epidemiological data are a prerequisite for the interpretation of the results obtained by genetic typing. In addition, at least both genomic regions suggested here should be analysed to determine the identity of a new isolate.

Animals↗

Identification of antigenic regions of the Erns protein for pig antibodies elicited during classical swine fever virus infection.

The structural glycoprotein E(rns) of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) is one of the major antibody targets upon infection of pigs with the virus. Molecular dissection of the structure of E(rns) would define the minimal immunodominant regions that induce antibody responses after infection and may thus help design an effective diagnostic reagent or vaccine. In this study, deletion analysis was made within amino acids (aa) 297 to 776 of the CSFV Alfort/187 polyprotein containing the large C-terminal portion of the E(rns) protein (aa 27 to 227), the entire E1 protein (aa 1 to 195), and the N-terminal portion of the E2 protein (aa 1 to 87). Various protein fragments with target deletions from N- or/and C-terminal ends were constructed with pET30, expressed in Escherichia coli and probed on Western blots with antisera from pigs infected with CSFV. This has resulted in the identification within E(rns) of three overlapping antigenic regions: AR1(E(rns)aa 65-145), AR2 (E(rns)aa 84-160) and AR3 (E(rns)aa 109-220). N- or C-terminal deletions as small as 3 residues introduced into these regions disrupt their reactivity with antibodies, indicating that they are the minimum requirements for recognition by pig antibodies. The three minimal antigenic regions correlated well with the hydropathy profiles and the 3D structural model of E(rns). Each individual region and a protein fragment containing AR1, AR2 and AR3 reacted equally well with pig anti-CSFV sera. Since variable and conserved sequences are present within the three overlapping antigenic regions of E(rns) of different pestiviruses, specific serological detection of CSFV infection or broad detection of pestivirus infections may be achieved with the use of a single E(rns) region or a combination of two or three E(rns) regions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗