Serological relationships among viruses in the Hantavirus genus, family Bunyaviridae.

We examined the serological relationships among 32 hantavirus isolates collected from numerous geographic regions and hosts. We prepared rat immune sera to each virus and used these sera in hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) tests, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), and plaque-reduction neutralization tests to establish the antigenic relationships among the isolates. Our studies included viruses that had been partially characterized previously, as well as isolates for which little or no serological data were available. Our results indicate that, in addition to the four established serological groups of hantaviruses, represented by Hantaan, Seoul, Puumala, and Prospect Hill viruses, there exist at least two other distinct groups of hantaviruses. These groups are represented by Thailand 749 virus, an isolate from Bandicota in Thailand, and by Thottapalayam virus, an isolate from Suncus in India. To compare more closely the antigenic relationships of the isolates to prototype Hantaan virus, we examined the reactivities of Hantaan G1- or G2-specific monoclonal antibodies with the envelope proteins of a number of the isolates. We found that several epitopes defined by monoclonal antibodies to the G2 protein were highly conserved as detected by HAI tests and ELISA. Almost all of the isolates could be neutralized by at least one G2-specific monoclonal antibody. In contrast, epitopes defined by G1 monoclonal antibodies were conserved only among Hantaan-like viruses.

Localization of Hantaan viral envelope glycoproteins by monoclonal antibodies in renal tissues from patients with Korean hemorrhagic fever H.

The role of viruses in several renal diseases is not documented clearly. The authors attempted to localize envelope glycoproteins of Hantaan virus in biopsy specimens from patients with Korean hemorrhagic fever (KHF) as evidence of direct viral invasion of renal tissues. The authors studied sequential sections of kidney biopsy specimens from 23 of 35 patients with serologically confirmed KHF diagnosed between June 1985 and December 1989. The sections were stained with the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method with monoclonal antibodies to G1 and G2 envelope glycoproteins. Control antibodies of the same isotype were used to rule out nonspecific staining, and hyperimmune rabbit sera or convalescent sera of patients with KHF were used for blocking tests. Normal renal tissues and kidney biopsy tissues from minimal-change nephrotic syndrome were used as negative control sections. The kidney biopsies were performed between the fifth and thirtieth days after onset of fever. The authors detected viral glycoproteins in renal tissues from 22 of the 23 patients. The viral glycoproteins were localized in the cytoplasm of the tubular epithelial cells, and the distribution of viral glycoproteins in the tubules was focal. Glycoproteins also were localized in the cytoplasm of the sloughed renal tubular epithelial cells, where tubular degenerative changes were prominent. These findings suggest the direct invasion of renal tubules by the virus and may partly explain the pathogenesis of acute renal failure in KHF.

Comparison of hantavirus isolates using a genus-reactive primer pair polymerase chain reaction.

RNA of more than 40 hantavirus isolates, originating from rodents and humans of widely separated geographical areas, was copied to cDNA using reverse transcriptase and amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A genus-reactive oligonucleotide primer pair, flanking a 365 bp region of the G2 glycoprotein gene, was chosen for genus-reactive PCR. DNA products were digested with 20 restriction endonucleases and cleavage patterns were analysed. For strains of known sequence, the restriction patterns observed were consistent with those predicted from sequence data, demonstrating that the amplified products originated from target virus RNA. Further analyses suggested that all amplified viruses could be easily typed into one of five restriction patterns using only five enzymes. The categories identified by restriction analysis of PCR-amplified cDNA corresponded with serogroups established by plaque-reduction neutralization tests. This method may greatly simplify the identification of new hantavirus isolates.

Infectious enveloped RNA virus antigenic chimeras.

Random insertion mutagenesis has been used to construct infectious Sindbis virus structural protein chimeras containing a neutralization epitope from a heterologous virus, Rift Valley fever virus. Insertion sites, permissive for recovery of chimeric viruses with growth properties similar to the parental virus, were found in the virion E2 glycoprotein and the secreted E3 glycoprotein. For the E2 chimeras, the epitope was expressed on the virion surface and stimulated a partially protective immune response to Rift Valley fever virus infection in vivo. Besides providing a possible approach for developing live attenuated vaccine viruses, insertion of peptide ligands into virion surface proteins may ultimately allow targeting of virus infection to specific cell types.

Preparation of candidate vaccinia-vectored vaccines for haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome.

Two vaccinia-vectored candidate vaccines for haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome were prepared by inserting cDNA, representing the medium (M) genome segment, or the M and the small (S) genome segments of Hantaan virus into the thymidine kinase gene of the Connaught vaccine strain of vaccinia virus. In the single recombinant, the M segment was placed under control of the vaccinia virus 7.5 kDa promoter. In the double recombinant, the M and S segments were placed under control of the vaccinia virus 7.5 kDa and 11 kDa promoters, respectively. An immunoplaque assay technique was developed to select recombinants without the need for expression of irrelevant genes or use of potential mutagens. Proteins indistinguishable from authentic viral envelope glycoproteins and nucleocapsid protein were observed by immunoprecipitation with antibodies to Hantaan virus. The recombinant expressing both the M and the S segments was selected for further development and testing as a human vaccine.

Structure of the Ockelbo virus genome and its relationship to other Sindbis viruses.

Ockelbo virus was first isolated in 1982 in Sweden. It is the causal agent of disease in humans characterized by arthritis, rash, and fever and is antigenically very closely related to Sindbis virus. We have determined the nucleotide and translated amino acid sequences of the prototype Ockelbo virus isolate (82-5) to determine the relatedness of Ockelbo virus to Sindbis virus at the genomic level and clarify the taxonomic position of Ockelbo virus within the alphavirus genus. The numbers of nucleotides and of translated amino acids in each region of the Ockelbo virus genome were exactly the same as those for the prototype AR339 strain of Sindbis virus except for three small deletions and insertions in the C-terminal half of nsP3 and for three single nucleotide insertions and deletions in the 3' untranslated region. Overall there were 672 nucleotide differences (5.7% divergence), resulting in 97 amino acid changes (2.6% divergence), between the two viruses: more than 85% of the nucleotide changes were silent. Only the C-terminal domain of nsP3 and the E2 glycoprotein showed a higher degree of amino acid substitution than the overall average. The former domain is not conserved among alphaviruses, and the latter is primarily responsible for antigenic variation. Sequence analysis of 420 nucleotides at the 3' end of a number of other Sindbis-like alphaviruses, including Karelian fever virus and South African, Indian, and Australian isolates of Sindbis virus, demonstrated that Ockelbo virus is more closely related to South African strains of Sindbis virus than it is to the prototypic Egyptian AR339 strain. Thus the South African strains, which have caused epidemic disease in humans, may have been introduced into Northern Europe by man or by migratory birds to establish Ockelbo disease there. The Indian and Australian strains form a distinct branch of the evolutionary tree and differ from prototypic AR339 Sindbis virus in 17% of the nucleotides sequenced.

Protection against anthrax with recombinant virus-expressed protective antigen in experimental animals.

We previously described the cloning and expression of the protective antigen (PA) gene of Bacillus anthracis in both vaccinia virus and a baculovirus. The antigenicity of the PA products was characterized. PA expressed by the recombinant vaccinia viruses elicited a partial protective immune response against a lethal B. anthracis spore challenge in guinea pigs and mice. The WR strain vaccinia virus recombinant (WR-PA) protected 60% of male mice and 50% of guinea pigs. WR-PA elicited high anti-PA antibody titers in mice but not in guinea pigs. Connaught strain vaccinia virus recombinants failed to protect any immunized animals. PA purified from baculovirus recombinant-infected cultures plus adjuvant partially protected male CBA/J mice and completely protected female Hartley guinea pigs from challenge. Both the recombinant and nonrecombinant PA preparations combined with adjuvant elicited high anti-PA antibody titers in Hartley guinea pigs and CBA/J mice. These data demonstrate that the recombinant baculovirus- and vaccinia virus-produced PAs were immunogenic in both guinea pigs and mice, that the baculovirus-PA recombinant was a useful source of immunogenic PA, and that vaccinia virus-PA recombinants may be feasible live anthrax vaccine candidates worthy of consideration for further development as live vaccines.

A retrospective analysis of sera collected by the Hemorrhagic Fever Commission during the Korean Conflict.

More than 600 sera from 245 patients with a clinical diagnosis of hemorrhagic fever were preserved by the Hemorrhagic Fever Commission during the Korean Conflict, 1951-1954. These sera were tested for IgM- and IgG-specific antibodies to Hantaan virus by enzyme immunoassay and for hantaviral antigen by immunoassay; one serum from each patient was tested by plaque reduction neutralization using both Hantaan and Seoul viruses. Only 15 patients failed to develop antihantaviral antibodies; most sera contained high titered IgM antibody on admission, and all were IgM-seropositive by day 7 after onset. Attempts to detect hantaviral antigen were unsuccessful. All seropositive patients had highest plaque reduction neutralization titers to Hantaan virus, suggesting that this virus was responsible for the disease seen. These results confirm that hemorrhagic fever of the Korean Conflict was due to Hantaan virus and demonstrate that measurement of specific IgM antibody is the method of choice for diagnosis of acute disease.

Antigenic subunits of Hantaan virus expressed by baculovirus and vaccinia virus recombinants.

Baculovirus and vaccinia virus vectors were used to express the small (S) and medium (M) genome segments of Hantaan virus. Expression of the complete S or M segments yielded proteins electrophoretically indistinguishable from Hantaan virus nucleocapsid protein or envelope glycoproteins (G1 and G2), and expression of portions of the M segment, encoding either G1 or G2 alone, similarly yielded proteins which closely resembled authentic Hantaan virus proteins. The expressed envelope proteins retained all antigenic sites defined by a panel of monoclonal antibodies to Hantaan virus G1 and G2 and elicited antibodies in animals which reacted with authentic viral proteins. A Hantaan virus infectivity challenge model in hamsters was used to assay induction of protective immunity by the recombinant-expressed proteins. Recombinants expressing both G1 and G2 induced higher titer antibody responses than those expressing only G1 or G2 and protected most animals from infection with Hantaan virus. Baculovirus recombinants expressing only nucleocapsid protein also appeared to protect some animals from challenge. Passively transferred neutralizing monoclonal antibodies similarly prevented infection, suggesting that an antibody response alone is sufficient for immunity to Hantaan virus.

Prophylactic ribavirin treatment of dengue type 1 infection in rhesus monkeys.

The prophylactic efficacy of the broad-spectrum antiviral nucleoside analog ribavirin against flavivirus infection in non-human primates was investigated in a blinded, placebo-controlled study of rhesus monkeys infected with dengue virus. Both placebo- and ribavirin-treated monkeys developed viremia, as measured by direct plaque assay on Aedes albopictus C6/36 cells. Peak viremia occurred between days 3 and 9 after infection. No significant differences in time of onset, duration, or level of viremia were observed between placebo- and ribavirin-treated monkeys. Ribavirin induced predictable and reversible anemia and thrombocytosis. Serum ribavirin reached maximum levels of 30 microM by day 4, which approximates the in vitro minimum inhibitory concentration for dengue virus. Ribavirin appeared ineffective as a prophylactic drug for dengue type 1 viral infection, as evaluated by the magnitude of viremia in this monkey model.

Expression of the Bacillus anthracis protective antigen gene by baculovirus and vaccinia virus recombinants.

The gene encoding Bacillus anthracis protective antigen (PA) was modified by site-directed mutagenesis, subcloned into baculovirus and vaccinia virus plasmid transfer vectors (pAcYM1 and pSC-11, respectively), and inserted via homologous recombinations into baculovirus Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus or vaccinia virus (strains WR and Connaught). Expression of PA was detected in both systems by immunofluorescence assays with antisera from rabbits immunized with B. anthracis PA. Western blot (immunoblot) analysis showed that the expressed product of both systems was slightly larger (86 kilodaltons) than B. anthracis-produced PA (83.5 kilodaltons). Analysis of trypsin digests of virus-expressed and authentic PA suggested that the size difference was due to the presence of a signal sequence remaining with the virus-expressed protein. Immunization of mice with either recombinant baculovirus-infected Spodoptera frugiperda cells or with vaccinia virus recombinants elicited a high-titer, anti-PA antibody response.

Molecular characterization of a neutralizing domain of the Japanese encephalitis virus structural glycoprotein.

Expression of antigenic fragments of the Japanese encephalitis virus envelope protein (E) in Escherichia coli has been used to define the boundaries of an antigenic domain that contains the binding sites for 10 anti-E monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). All of these antibodies neutralized the virus in vitro and some of them passively protected mice from a fatal virus challenge. We have shown previously that nine of these antibodies react with the antigenic determinants encoded by a 405 bp fragment of viral cDNA. To determine the amino acid sequences of specific determinants, truncated polypeptides were expressed as fusion proteins in E. coli following progressive Bal 31 exonuclease digestion of the 5' and 3' ends of the cDNA fragment. Examination of the immunoreactivity of these polypeptides revealed that the region from methionine 303 to tryptophan 396 was the shortest sequence capable of reacting with any of the 10 MAbs or with a polyclonal, antiviral hyperimmune mouse ascitic fluid. Biochemical tests showed that an intramolecular disulphide cross-linkage between cysteine 304 and cysteine 335 of the E protein sequence was required for presentation of the binding site(s) for these MAbs. Although this 95 amino acid antigenic domain appeared to be capable of forming several conformational neutralizing epitopes, it was not an effective immunogen for inducing neutralizing or protective antibodies in mice.

Baculovirus expression of the M genome segment of Rift Valley fever virus and examination of antigenic and immunogenic properties of the expressed proteins.

Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis viral recombinants containing coding information for the Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) envelope glycoproteins (G1 and G2) and varying amounts of preglycoprotein coding sequences were prepared by using transfer vectors pAc373 or pAcYM1. Expression products were processed to yield proteins indistinguishable from authentic G1 and G2 by gel electrophoresis. The immunogenic properties of the expressed proteins were assessed by immunizing mice and challenging with RVFV. A single inoculation with lysates of cells infected with recombinants expressing both G1 and G2 induced neutralizing antibody responses in mice and protected them from an otherwise lethal challenge with RVFV. Lysates of cells infected with a recombinant expressing only G2 also induced a protective response after two immunizations. Survivors displayed elevated antibody titers to G1 and G2 and also developed antibodies to the RVFV nucleocapsid protein, the latter allowing discrimination from vaccinated mice and indicating that animals had survived infection. Nonimmune mice were protected from lethal RVFV infection by passive transfer of sera from animals immunized with recombinant antigens, indicating that a humoral immune response is sufficient to protect against RVFV.

Identification of mutations in the M RNA of a candidate vaccine strain of Rift Valley fever virus.

The M RNA species of a candidate vaccine strain of Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV ZH-548M12), derived by consecutive high level mutagenesis using 5-fluorouracil (H. Caplen, C. J. Peters, and D. H. L. Bishop, J. Gen. Virol., 66, 2271-2277, 1985), has been cloned and the cDNA sequenced. The data have been compared to those obtained for the parent virus strain RVFV ZH-548 as well as the previously published data for RVFV ZH-501 (M. S. Collett, A. F. Purchio, K. Keegan, S. Frazier, W. Hays, D. K. Anderson, M. D. Parker, C. Schmaljohn, J. Schmidt, and J. M. Dalrymple, Virology, 144, 228-245, 1985). Some eight nucleotide and three amino acid differences were identified between the M RNAs of ZH-501 and ZH-548. Between the M RNAs of ZH-548 and that of the M12 mutant there were 12 nucleotide and 7 amino acid changes. Unique to the mutant virus is a new AUG codon upstream of that which initiates the open reading frame of the RVFV M gene product (the viral glycoprotein precursor). The significance of this and other differences in the mutant RNA with regard to the derivation and potential attenuation of the candidate vaccine is discussed.

Sindbis virus mutations which coordinately affect glycoprotein processing, penetration, and virulence in mice.

Rapid penetration of baby hamster kidney cells was used as a selective pressure for the isolation of pathogenesis mutants of the S.A.AR86 strain of Sindbis virus. Unlike most Sindbis virus strains, S.A.AR86 is virulent in adult as well as neonatal mice. Two classes of mutants were defined. One class was attenuated in adult mice inoculated intracerebrally as well as in neonatal mice inoculated either intracerebrally or subcutaneously. Sequence analysis of the glycoprotein genes of the parent virus and three such mutant strains revealed a single point mutation which resulted in an amino acid change at position 1 in the E2 glycoprotein. The change from a serine in S.A.AR86 to an asparagine in the mutants created a new site for N-linked glycosylation which appeared to be utilized. This mutation did not retard release of infectious particles; however, mutant virions contained the E2 precursor protein (PE2) rather than the E2 glycoprotein itself. The mutants also lost the ability to bind two E2-specific monoclonal antibodies, R6 and R13. A second class of mutants was attenuated in neonatal mice upon subcutaneous inoculation but remained virulent in adults and in neonates when inoculated intracerebrally. Sequence analysis of three such strains revealed the substitution of an arginine residue for a serine at position 114 in the E2 glycoprotein. Reactivity with monoclonal antibodies R6 and R13 was reduced, yet members of this mutant class were more susceptible than S.A.AR86 to neutralization by these antibodies.

Characterization of Hantaan virus envelope glycoprotein antigenic determinants defined by monoclonal antibodies.

A panel of 24 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to the G1 or G2 envelope glycoproteins of Hantaan virus were used to determine the surface topography and functional properties of antigenic sites. Nine distinct, partially overlapping antigenic sites, two on G1 and seven on G2, were demonstrated by competitive binding assays. Analyses of the antigenic sites by haemagglutination (HA) inhibition and plaque-reduction neutralization tests showed that all of the sites, except one on G1, were related to viral HA. Only one of the G1 antigenic sites and two of the G2 sites were involved in virus neutralization. These results suggest that certain epitopes related to HA were not critical for virus neutralization. The nine antigenic sites could be further divided into 13 based upon the serological cross-reactivity of MAbs with viruses representative of each of the four known antigenic groups within the Hantavirus genus of Bunyaviridae, i.e. Hantaan, Seoul, Puumala and Prospect Hill viruses.

Antigenic relationships between flaviviruses as determined by cross-neutralization tests with polyclonal antisera.

The recently established virus family Flaviviridae contains at least 68 recognized members. Sixty-six of these viruses were tested by cross-neutralization in cell cultures. Flaviviruses were separated into eight complexes [tick-borne encephalitis (12 viruses), Rio Bravo (six), Japanese encephalitis (10), Tyuleniy (three), Ntaya (five), Uganda S (four), dengue (four) and Modoc (five)] containing 49 viruses; 17 other viruses were not sufficiently related to warrant inclusion in any of these complexes.

Genetic variation among geographic isolates of Rift Valley fever virus.

The genetic variation of Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) was estimated by sequencing a portion of the M segment RNA of 22 isolates from a variety of host species collected over 34 years in 6 African countries. The M segment RNA of the Egyptian isolate, ZH501, which has been molecularly cloned and sequenced, was used as a reference for these comparisons. Specific gene regions, responsible for antigenic determinants presumed to play a role in protection against disease, were emphasized in these investigations. Comparative sequence data revealed that most isolates were very similar to ZH501 at both the nucleic acid and deduced amino acid sequence levels. Nucleic acid sequence variation range was 0-4.5%. Amino acid sequence variation range was 0-2.4%. We identified specific amino acid coding changes which may be involved in virus neutralization and may contribute to the virulence characteristics of RVFV.