Influences of interaction between dengue virus type 2-infected human umbilical vein endothelial cells and macrophages on major inflammatory cytokines / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective To study the influences on the production of major inflammatory cytokines after co-culturing macrophages with human umbilical vein endothelial cells ( HUVECs) that were infected with dengue virus type 2 (DENV-2). Methods Density gradient centrifugation was used to isolate periph-eral blood mononuclear cells ( PBMC) from concentrated human leukocytes. Adherent monocytes in culture flasks were obtained and stimulated with macrophage colony-stimulating factor ( M-CSF) to prepare macro-phages. The purity of CD14+CD11b+ cells was measured by flow cytometry. Changes in the expression of NS1 at mRNA level in HUVECs were detected by real-time PCR following DENV-2 infection. DENV-2-in-fected HUVECs were co-culture with macrophages in Transwell chambers. A control group was set up by pre-treating HUVECs with sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) type 1 (S1P1)-specific receptor agonist CYM-5442 for 24 h to remove the drug before infection and then co-culturing the infected cells with macrophages. Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression at mRNA level of IL-6 and IL-8 in HUVECs and IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α and IL-1β in macrophages. A double-antibody sandwich ELISA was used to detect the expression of above cytokines in culture supernatants. Results After HUVECs were infected with DENV-2, expression of NS1 gene at mRNA level gradually increased to the peak at 24 h (2. 66±0. 53, P<0. 05) and then de-creased. The purity of macrophages detected by flow cytometry was (89. 16±2. 07) ％. Expression of IL-6 and IL-8 at mRNA level in DENV-2-infected HUVECs was up-regulated. The peak values reached at 24 h of IL-6 and IL-8 expression were 16. 10±0. 17 and 29. 76±0. 58, while the expression levels at 24 h in the un-infected group were 1. 46±0. 67 and 1. 60±0. 54, respectively. Expression of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-αand IL-1βat mRNA level in DENV-2-infected macrophages was increased significantly. The levels of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-αand IL-1β expression at 24 h were 45. 82±3. 72, 52. 34±1. 69 (12 h), 8. 94±1. 75 and 30. 96±1. 44 in the infected macrophages, and 1. 16±0. 22, 1. 15±0. 21, 1. 11±0. 09 and 1. 47±0. 31 in the uninfected group. Expression of these cytokines was decreased at every time points after co-culturing of DENV-2-infec-ted HUVECs with macrophages, but still significantly higher than that in the uninfected group. In the co-cul-ture group with DENV-2 infection, CYM-5442 pretreatment significantly decreased the expression at mRNA level of IL-6 and IL-8 in HUVECs (P<0. 01) and that of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-αand IL-1βin macrophages (P<0. 01). Conclusions DENV-2 could infect primary HUVECs, and then activate macrophages to promote the secretion of large amounts of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-αand IL-1β. Moreover, the activated macrophages could reduce the production of inflammatory cytokines in HUVECs to a certain extent.

Dengue virus type 2 infection inhibits the expression of toll-like receptors 4 and 7 in murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective To analyze the changes in the expression of Toll-like receptors 4 (TLR4) and 7 on the surface of murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells following dengue virus type 2 (DEN2) infection.Methods DEN2 NGC strain was infected into BALB/c suckling mice through intracranial injection and injected into C6/36 cells to induce the in vivo and in vitro proliferation of DEN2, respectively.RT-PCR was performed to identify DEN2 RNA.Reed-Muench method was used to determine the 50% tissue culture infective dose (TCID50) of DEN2.Dendritic cells (DCs) were prepared by stimulating bone marrow cells isolated form C57BL/6 mice with IL-4 and GM-CSF and then identified by flow cytometry.The prepared murine bone marrow-derived DCs were infected with DEN2 and observed with direct immunofluorescence assay.Dynamic changes in the expression of CD11c, CD86 and I-A/I-E molecules on DCs after DEN2 infection were detected by flow cytometry.Levels of DEN2 RNA and the expression of TLR4 and TLR7 at mRNA level were dynamically detected by real-time quantitative PCR.Results The TCID50 of DEN2 to C6/36 cells was 10-5.8.Murine bone marrow-derived DCs were acquired with a purity of 70% and could be infected with DEN2 in vitro.The percentages of CD86 and I-A/I-E molecules on the surface of DCs infected with 1×105 TCID50 of DEN2 were statistically different from those of the negative control group.Neither of the two groups showed a significant difference in the percentages of membrane molecules over time.However, the percentages of membrane molecules on DCs increased with increasing viral load.Compared with the negative control group, the levels of DEN2 RNA in infection groups were increased with increasing virus load, while the expression of TLR4 and TLR7 on DEN2 infected-DCs at mRNA level was decreased with increasing viral load.Conclusion DEN2 infection promotes the maturation of DCs.Expression of TLR4 and TLR7 on DEN2 infected-DCs at mRNA level decreases with increasing viral load, which suggests that TLR4 and TLR7 are closely related to viral infection and play a certain role in the pathogenesis of DEN infection.

Análisis filogenético de secuencias suramericanas del gen ns1 del serotipo dengue-2, relacionadas con sangrado clínico severo / Phylogenetic analysis of South American sequences of the nonstructural protein-1 (ns1) of dengue serotype 2 associated with severe clinical bleeding

Objetivo Comparar secuencias de nucleótidos y de aminoácidos de la proteína no estructural 1-NS1 de cepas DENV-2, aisladas de pacientes febriles de diferentes países suramericanos, que cursaron cuadros clínicos con severidad o sin ella. Materiales y Métodos El análisis filogenético fue realizado a partir de 28 secuencias moleculares completas (1 056 pb) del gen NS1 del serotipo DENV-2. Se realizó un análisis filogenético bayesiano utilizando el software MrBayes v.3.2.0, con el modelo SYM+G y un análisis filogenético con el método Neighbor-Joining con el modelo Jukes-Cantor. Además, las secuencias de aminoácidos fueron alineadas y comparadas entre sí, mediante el programa Clustal W incluido en el software MEGA v. 5.2. Resultados En las secuencias de aminoácidos asociadas a sangrado, la sustitución más frecuente fue isoleucina→ treonina, en la posición 93. Estas secuencias presentaron un mayor porcentaje (94,6 %) de homología de aminoácidos de la proteína NS1 en comparación con el porcentaje de homología (74 %) de los aislamientos DENV-2 no asociados a sangrado. Se identificaron cinco clados que agrupan la mayoría de las secuencias analizadas (19/24; 79,2 %) con valores de probabilidad posterior mayores o iguales al 58 %. Siete (87,5 %) secuencias asociadas a sangrado se relacionan filogenéticamente dentro de los clados 4 y 5, con valores de probabilidad posterior del 58 % y 97 %, respectivamente. Conclusión No se encontraron características filogenéticas ni tampoco diferencias entre las secuencias de aminoácidos de la proteína NS1-DENV-2 estudiadas, que pudieran ser relacionadas, de manera directa, con la severidad de la enfermedad.(AU)

Objective The objective of this in silico study was to compare nucleotide and amino acids DENV-2-NS1 sequences isolated from febrile patients, with and without disease severity, from different South American countries. Matherials and Methods A bayesian MCMC phylogenetic analysis was carried out using 28 complete sequences of the gene NS1 of the DENV-2 serotype (1 056 bp), using MrBayes v.3.2.0 software, with the model SYM+G (2.5 million generations). We also carried out a phylogenetic analysis with Neighbor-Joining method (Jukes-Cantor model). In addition, the amino acids sequences were aligned and compared with each other, using Clustal W included in MEGA v.5.2 software. Results In the amino acids sequences associated with bleeding, the most frequent substitution was isoleucine → threonine at posicion 93. These sequences showed a high percentage (94.6 %) of amino acid homology in comparison with the percentage of amino acids homology (74 %) of DENV-2 isolates not associated with bleeding. Five clades were identified that group the vast majority of the DENV-2-NS1 sequences analyzed (19/24; 79.2 %) with posterior probability values greater than or equal to 58 %. Seven sequences (87.5 %) associated with bleeding were phylogenetically related within clades 4 and 5, the posterior probability values were 58 % and 97 %, respectively. Conclusion Neither phylogenetic characteristics nor differences between amino acids of the DENV-2-NS1 sequences studied were found that could be associated directly with severity of the disease.(AU)

Re-emergence of dengue virus serotype 2 strains in the 2013 outbreak in Nepal.

Background & objectives: Epidemiological interventions and mosquito control are the available measures for dengue control. The former approach uses serotype and genetic information on the circulating virus strains. Dengue has been frequently reported from Nepal, but this information is mostly lacking. The present study was done to generate a comprehensive clinical and virological picture of a dengue outbreak in Nepal during 2013. Methods: A hospital-based study involving patients from five districts of Nepal was carried out. Demographic information, clinical details and dengue serological status were obtained. Viral RNA was characterized at the molecular level by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Results: From among the 2340 laboratory-confirmed dengue cases during the study period, 198 patients consented for the study. Clinically they had fever (100%), headache (59.1%), rashes (18.2%), retro-orbital pain (30.3%), vomiting (15.1%), joint pain (28.8%) and thrombocytopenia (74.3%). Fifteen (7.5%) of them had mucosal bleeding manifestations, and the rest were uncomplicated dengue fever. The patients were mostly adults with a mean age of 45.75 ± 38.61 yr. Of the 52 acute serum samples tested, 15 were positive in RT-PCR. The causative virus was identified as DENV serotype 2 belonging to the Cosmopolitan genotype. Interpretations & conclusions: We report here the involvement of DENV serotype 2 in an outbreak in Nepal in 2013. Earlier outbreaks in the region in 2010 were attributed to serotype 1 virus. As serotype shifts are frequently associated with secondary infections and severe disease, there is a need for enhancing surveillance especially in the monsoon and post-monsoon periods to prevent large-scale, severe dengue outbreaks in the region.

Circulación de un linaje diferente del virus dengue 2 genotipo América / Asia en la región amazónica de Perú, 2010 / Circulation of a different lineage of dengue virus serotype 2 American / Asian genotype in the Peruvian amazon, 2010

El objetivo del estudio fue determinar el genotipo del virus dengue tipo 2 (DENV-2) que circuló en la región Amazónica de Perú entre noviembre de 2010 y enero de 2011. Se analizaron ocho muestras de pacientes captados durante la vigilancia para dengue en las ciudades de Iquitos, Yurimaguas, Trujillo, Tarapoto y Lima entre noviembre de 2010 y enero de 2011 que fueron remitidas al Instituto Nacional de Salud. Se realizó el aislamiento viral en la línea C6/36 HT y la extracción del ARN viral. Se aplicaron técnicas de biología molecular para establecer el serotipo (RT - PCR múltiple) y genotipo (RT-Nested PCR de la región E/NS1) seguidas de secuenciación y análisis filogenético. El análisis filogenético reveló la introducción de un linaje diferente que ingresó a Perú a finales del 2010. Estos aislamientos encontrados en Iquitos y otras ciudades de Perú están muy relacionados con aislamientos de DENV-2 que circularon en Brasil durante el 2007 y 2008 asociados con casos de dengue grave y muertes. En conclusión se detectó la introducción de un linaje diferente del DENV-2 genotipo América/Asia en Perú que podría estar asociado con la presencia de casos más graves de dengue.

Our objective was to determine the genotype of the dengue virus type 2 (DENV-2) that circulated in the Amazon region of Peru between November 2010 and January 2011. We analyzed eight samples collected during dengue surveillance activities in the cities of Iquitos, Yurimaguas, Trujillo, Tarapoto and Lima between November 2010 and January 2011 that were sent to Insitituto Nacional de Salud. The viruses were isolated in C6/36 HT cell line. Viral RNA was extracted and the serotype (RT - PCR multiplex) and genotype (RT-Nested PCR of the region E/NS1) were determined. Finally, the E/ NS1 amplicons were sequenced and analyzed by phylogeny. The phylogenetic analysis revealed the introduction of a different lineage which entered in Peru by the end of 2010. These isolates found in Iquitos and other cities in Peru are closely related to DENV-2 isolates that circulated in Brazil during 2007 and 2008, associated with severe dengue cases and deaths. In conclusion, we detected the introduction of a different lineage of DENV-2 America / Asia genotype in Peru that could be associated with the presence of more severe cases.

Distinct Humoral and Cellular Immunity Induced by Alternating Prime-boost Vaccination Using Plasmid DNA and Live Viral Vector Vaccines Expressing the E Protein of Dengue Virus Type 2

BACKGROUND: Dengue virus, which belongs to the Flavivirus genus of the Flaviviridae family, causes fatal dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS) with infection risk of 2.5 billion people worldwide. However, approved vaccines are still not available. Here, we explored the immune responses induced by alternating prime-boost vaccination using DNA vaccine, adenovirus, and vaccinia virus expressing E protein of dengue virus type 2 (DenV2). METHODS: Following immunization with DNA vaccine (pDE), adenovirus (rAd-E), and/or vaccinia virus (VV-E) expressing E protein, E protein-specific IgG and its isotypes were determined by conventional ELISA. Intracellular CD154 and cytokine staining was used for enumerating CD4+ T cells specific for E protein. E protein-specific CD8+ T cell responses were evaluated by in vivo CTL killing activity and intracellular IFN-gamma staining. RESULTS: Among three constructs, VV-E induced the most potent IgG responses, Th1-type cytokine production by stimulated CD4+ T cells, and the CD8+ T cell response. Furthermore, when the three constructs were used for alternating prime-boost vaccination, the results revealed a different pattern of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses. i) Priming with VV-E induced higher E-specific IgG level but it was decreased rapidly. ii) Strong CD8+ T cell responses specific for E protein were induced when VV-E was used for the priming step, and such CD8+ T cell responses were significantly boosted with pDE. iii) Priming with rAd-E induced stronger CD4+ T cell responses which subsequently boosted with pDE to a greater extent than VV-E and rAd-E. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that priming with live viral vector vaccines could induce different patterns of E protein- specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses which were significantly enhanced by booster vaccination with the DNA vaccine. Therefore, our observation will provide valuable information for the establishment of optimal prime-boost vaccination against DenV.

Distinct Humoral and Cellular Immunity Induced by Alternating Prime-boost Vaccination Using Plasmid DNA and Live Viral Vector Vaccines Expressing the E Protein of Dengue Virus Type 2

BACKGROUND: Dengue virus, which belongs to the Flavivirus genus of the Flaviviridae family, causes fatal dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS) with infection risk of 2.5 billion people worldwide. However, approved vaccines are still not available. Here, we explored the immune responses induced by alternating prime-boost vaccination using DNA vaccine, adenovirus, and vaccinia virus expressing E protein of dengue virus type 2 (DenV2). METHODS: Following immunization with DNA vaccine (pDE), adenovirus (rAd-E), and/or vaccinia virus (VV-E) expressing E protein, E protein-specific IgG and its isotypes were determined by conventional ELISA. Intracellular CD154 and cytokine staining was used for enumerating CD4+ T cells specific for E protein. E protein-specific CD8+ T cell responses were evaluated by in vivo CTL killing activity and intracellular IFN-gamma staining. RESULTS: Among three constructs, VV-E induced the most potent IgG responses, Th1-type cytokine production by stimulated CD4+ T cells, and the CD8+ T cell response. Furthermore, when the three constructs were used for alternating prime-boost vaccination, the results revealed a different pattern of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses. i) Priming with VV-E induced higher E-specific IgG level but it was decreased rapidly. ii) Strong CD8+ T cell responses specific for E protein were induced when VV-E was used for the priming step, and such CD8+ T cell responses were significantly boosted with pDE. iii) Priming with rAd-E induced stronger CD4+ T cell responses which subsequently boosted with pDE to a greater extent than VV-E and rAd-E. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that priming with live viral vector vaccines could induce different patterns of E protein- specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses which were significantly enhanced by booster vaccination with the DNA vaccine. Therefore, our observation will provide valuable information for the establishment of optimal prime-boost vaccination against DenV.

Expression of domain-3 envelop protein of Dengue virus type 2 in Escherichia coli

Envelope protein (E) of Dengue virus is an important antigen for immune response of Dengue virus, in which domain 3 (E3) encodes important specific epitopes of each serotype of the virus. It would be of a great value to express domain 3 and apply the recombinant proteins for development of the kit for DF/DHF diagnosis. The domain 3 of the gene coding for the envelope protein of dengue virus type 2 was amplified by PCR with primer pair that hangs BamHI and Xhol restriction sites at the 5 prime of the forward and reverse primer, respectively. The template for domain-3 amplification was the gene encoding preM-E protein that had been cloned and sequenced before. The amplified region of the gene was then inserted into the pET-TRX Fusion Expression Vector System with BamHI and Xhol restriction sites and transformed into E. coli BL21 DE3 Star. Recombinant protein D2E3 was expressed in a fusion form with Thioredoxin and His-Tag after induction with ImM IPTG. Recombinant D2E3 was purified with ProBond Nickel-Chelating Resin column (Invitrogen) and the purified recombinant D2E3 protein was used to check the reaction with the antibodies against native dengue antigens in the patient's sera by ELISA, Western blot and Dot blot. The results showed that, recombinant D2E3 protein of Dengue virus type 2 could react specifically with antibodies in the patient's sera.