Inhibition of Japanese encephalitis virus maturation and transport in PS cells to cell surface by brefeldin A

A brefeldin A (BFA) treatment of porcine stable kidney (PS) cells resulted in inhibition of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) maturation and its transport to the cell surface. Intrestingly, the antigenicity of the virus, in contrast, remained unaffected as no difference in epitope presentation/expression was observed in BFA-treated and control (untreated) infected cells even though in the former cells a loss of hemagglutinating (HA) activity was recorded. Thus it seems that the BFA treatment did not affect the glycoprotein E (gpE) synthesis and folding essentially required for the epitope presentation/expression in cells.

Application of cDNA microarray technique to detection of gene expression in host cells infected with viruses

cDNA microarray technique was used to monitor changes in mRNA levels in cells after Hantaan virus (HTNV) infection. The values of the ratio of medians for HTNV and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) at the early stage of infection were compared and found similar, suggesting that the same or similar genes are associated with the early events of infection with either virus. The reproducibility of values of the "ratio of medians" for HTNV was examined. We found that applying cluster analysis to the gene expression data groups efficiently together genes with the same function. Therefore, in analyzing the effects of viral infection on host cells by the cDNA microarray technique, clustering data appear to be necessary for gaining biological meaning from a dump of gene expression profiles obtained from virus-infected cells.

Neuropathogenesis of Japanese encephalitis virus

In the central nervous system, the Japanese encephalitis virus can replicate only in neurons. The mechanism of the type of neurotropism was analyzed. The susceptibility to Japanese encephalitis virus infection in the rat brain was closely associated with neuronal immaturity. The initial specific binding of the virus to cells is one of the reasons for neurotropism of the Japanese encephalitis virus. The treatment of Japanese encephalitis virus infection with the neutralizing monoclonal antibody against the E protein did not inhibit the virus from binding to the cell surfaces, but strongly inhibited Japanese encephalitis virus-induced cell fusion and internalization of the virus into the host cells. One of the genome regions responsible for neuropathogenesis of the Japanese encephalitis virus was located on the E protein-coding region. The 138th amino acid of the E protein was important for neuropathogenesis expression of the Japanese encephalitis virus. The cell fusion activity of the E protein was closely correlated with neuropathogenesis of the virus.

Detection and stability of Japanese encephalitis virus RNA and virus viability in dead infected mosquitoes under different storage conditions

A semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was evaluated for detection of Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus in infected mosquitoes stored under simulated northern Australian summer conditions. The effect of silica gel, thymol, and a combination of the two on RNA stability and virus viability in dead mosquitoes were also examined. While JE virus RNA was relatively stable in mosquitoes held for up to 14 days after death, viable virus was not detected after day 1. Thymol vapor inhibited fungal contamination. Detection of single mosquitoes infected with JE virus in large pools of mosquitoes was also investigated. Single laboratory-infected mosquitoes were detected in pools of < or = 200 mosquitoes and in pools diluted to 0.2/100 and 0.1/100 mosquitoes, using the semi-nested PCR. However, the ability to detect live virus decreased as pool size increased. The semi-nested PCR proved more expensive than virus isolation for pools of 100 mosquitoes. However, the semi-nested PCR was faster and more economical using larger pools. Results indicate that surveillance of JE virus in mosquitoes using the semi-nested PCR is an alternative to monitoring seroconversions in sentinel pigs.

Stationary and microcarrier cell culture processes for propagating Japanese encephalitis virus

Inactivated mouse-brain-derived vaccines for Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) have been used for many years. Recently, attempts have been made to employ cultured Vero cells to replace mouse brain tissues for developing cell-culture-derived vaccines that will be more suitable for worldwide usage. In this study, JEV replication processes in Vero and BHK cells and between stationary and microcarrier culture systems were investigated. Our results demonstrated that a stationary Vero cell culture system produced higher viral titers of JEV, including the Beijin-1 vaccine strain and the attenuated strain CH2195LA, than microcarrier culture did. BHK cells showed less significant differences in their replication kinetics between stationary and microcarrier cultures. Reducing serum concentration during infection led to an overall decrease of JEV production in Vero cells but an increase in BHK cells. By establishing a complete serum-free Vero cell culture, the microcarrier system resulted in a more than 4-log lowered yield compared to that of the stationary culture for JEV production. Thus, the stationary culture is the most efficient system for JEV production from cultured Vero cells.

A 'minimal' approach in design of flavivirus infectious DNA

The 'infectious DNA' approach, which is based on in vivo transcription of (+)RNA virus genome cDNA cassettes from eukaryotic promoters in transfected cells, became a popular alternative to the classical scheme in the infectious clone methodology. Its use, however, is often limited by the instability of plasmids due to a transcriptional activity of eukaryotic promoters in Escherichia coli resulting in synthesis of products toxic for the bacterial host. Using a highly unstable representative infectious clone of Japanese encephalitis (JE) flavivirus, we tested a new approach in design of such problematic 'infectious DNA' constructs, which is based on minimizing unwanted transcription in the bacterial host. A plasmid containing full genome size JE cDNA under control of the minimal cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter can be propagated in E. coli with growth and stability characteristics similar to that of constructs controlled by the T7 promoter. Transfection of this plasmid into susceptible cells leads to the establishment of a productive infectious cycle. Reinsertion of the CMV enhancer at the 3'-end of the JE cassette substantially increased the specific infectivity without affecting the stability and growth characteristics of the construct. This approach can be useful when stabilization of infectious clones by modification of a viral cDNA cassette is not the feasible or suitable alternative.

Mutations in the NS3 gene and 3'-NCR of Japanese encephalitis virus isolated from an unconventional ecosystem and implications for natural attenuation of the virus

The T1P1 strain of Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus was recently isolated from paddy-free Liu-Chiu Islet in which natural JE antibody has been prevalent. In mouse neuroblastoma-derived Neuro-2a cells, T1P1 appeared significantly lower in virus productivity than another local isolate, CH1392. It implied that this new isolate possesses a characteristic viral replication pattern other than that of CH1392. T1P1 has also shown lower neurovirulence, which was reflected by a significantly higher LD(50) (2.44 x 10(6) PFU) than CH1392 (2.87 x 10(2) PFU). In comparison of the full-length RNA sequences between T1P1 and CH1392, a total of 7 nucleotides, including 1 in preM/M and 2 each in NS3, NS5, and the 3'-end noncoding region (NCR), appeared different. Of them, only the changes in NS3 (position 325, T for CH1392, A for T1P1; and position 364, G for CH1392 and A for T1P1) resulted in substitutions of deduced amino acids. There were two additional nucleotide changes appearing in the 3'-NCR. The amino acids 109 Phe and 122 Glu in NS3 of CH1392 were substituted by Ile and Lys, respectively, in T1P1. The unique growth properties and low virulence of T1P1 presented in this report were likely related to abnormal enzymatic activity due to mutations of the NS3 gene (especially position 364) and possibly to the mutations in the 3'-NCR. The natural attenuation of T1P1 that has been circulating in paddy-free Liu-Chiu Islet may account for the absence of clinical JE cases in past years.

Effects of organic and inorganic fertilisers on mosquito populations in rice fields of southern India

The effects of nitrogenous (inorganic) fertilisers, organic manures and blue-green algae (BGA) biofertiliser on mosquito populations (Diptera: Culicidae) were studied in rice fields of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, south India, with particular attention to Culex vishnui Theobald, Cx. pseudovishnui Colless and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus Giles, the vectors of Japanese encephalitis (JE). The application of urea, a nitrogenous fertiliser, in rice fields significantly increased the grain yield and the population densities of mosquito larvae and pupae (anophelines as well as culicines) in a dose-related manner. Fields treated with inorganic fertilisers (N, P, K) had significantly higher population densities of mosquito immatures than fields treated with organic manures (farmyard manure and green manure). Without nitrogenous fertiliser, BGA increased paddy yield without enhancing mosquito production. Therefore, the use of BGA with less nitrogenous fertiliser is recommended, which is beneficial economically and agronomically to the farming community and also significantly reduces mosquito production in rice fields. Increased use of nitrogenous fertiliser over the past two decades may have contributed to the increased severity of Japanese encephalitis epidemics, vectors of which breed in rice fields.

Growth characteristics of the chimeric Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine candidate, ChimeriVax-JE (YF/JE SA14--14--2), in Culex tritaeniorhynchus, Aedes albopictus, and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes

The Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus vaccine candidate, ChimeriVax-JE, which consists of a yellow fever (YF) 17D virus backbone containing the prM and E genes from the JE vaccine strain JE SA14--14--2, exhibits restricted replication in non-human primates, producing only a low-level viremia following peripheral inoculation. Although this reduces the likelihood that hematophagous insects could become infected by feeding on a vaccinated host, it is prudent to investigate the replication kinetics of the vaccine virus in mosquito species that are known to vector the viruses from which the chimera is derived. In this study ChimeriVax-JE virus was compared to its parent viruses, as well as to wild-type JE virus, for its ability to replicate in Culex tritaeniorhynchus, Aedes albopictus, and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Individual mosquitoes were exposed to the viruses by oral ingestion of a virus-laden blood meal or by intrathoracic (IT) virus inoculation. ChimeriVax-JE virus did not replicate following ingestion by any of the three mosquito species. Additionally, replication was not detected after IT inoculation of ChimeriVax-JE in the primary JE virus vector, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus. ChimeriVax-JE exhibited moderate growth following IT inoculation into Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus, reaching titers of 3.6-5.0 log(10) PFU/mosquito. There was no change in the virus genotype associated with replication in mosquitoes. Similar results were observed in mosquitoes of all three species that were IT inoculated or had orally ingested the YF 17D vaccine virus. In contrast, all mosquitoes either IT inoculated with or orally fed wild-type and vaccine JE viruses became infected, reaching maximum titers of 5.4-7.3 log(10) PFU/mosquito. These results indicate that ChimeriVax-JE virus is restricted in its ability to infect and replicate in these mosquito vectors. The low viremia caused by ChimeriVax-JE in primates and poor infectivity for mosquitoes are safeguards against secondary spread of the vaccine virus.

Molecular characterization of an Indian isolate of Japanese encephalitis virus that shows an extended lag phase during growth

The biological properties of an Indian isolate (GP78) of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) were characterized in tissue-cultured cells and mice and these were compared with the JaOArS982 strain from Japan. The GP78 strain had a markedly extended lag phase during its growth in porcine stable kidney (PS) cells. There were no obvious defects in the penetration of GP78 into PS cells. However, viral RNA and protein synthesis were significantly delayed in GP78-infected PS cells. Fusion-from-within assays carried out in C6/36 cells indicated that GP78 was less fusogenic than the JaOArS982 strain of JEV. Moreover, maximum fusion in GP78-infected cells occurred at pH 5.5, whereas JaOArS982-infected cells showed maximum fusion at pH 6.0. These results suggested that there may be a lesion in the virus-cell fusion process. The GP78 strain also showed delayed growth in brains of 1-week-old BALB/c mice. Although JEV GP78 was as virulent as the JaOArS982 strain in these mice, the appearance of clinical symptoms of JEV infection was delayed by a day in mice infected with the GP78 strain and these animals showed an increased average survival time. Comparison of the nucleotide sequences of the GP78 and the JaOArS982 strains of JEV identified a number of amino acid substitutions in structural proteins. Of these, a Thr --> Met substitution at residue 76 of the envelope protein is predicted to be causally associated with the altered biology of the GP78 strain during growth.

Recombinant, chimaeric live, attenuated vaccine (ChimeriVax) incorporating the envelope genes of Japanese encephalitis (SA14-14-2) virus and the capsid and nonstructural genes of yellow fever (17D) virus is safe, immunogenic and protective in non-human primates

Yellow fever 17D virus, a safe and effective live, attenuated vaccine, was used as a vector for genes encoding the protective antigenic determinants of a heterologous member of the genus Flavivirus, Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus, the leading cause of acute viral central nervous system infection and death throughout Asia. The viral envelope (prM and E) genes of a full-length cDNA clone of YF 17D virus were replaced with the corresponding genes of JE SA14-14-2, a strain licensed as a live, attenuated vaccine in China. Full-length RNA transcripts of the YF/JE chimaera were used to transfect Vero cells. The progeny virus (named 'ChimeriVax-JE'), was used to define safety after intracerebral (i.c.) inoculation of rhesus monkeys. Monkeys (N = 3) inoculated with a high dose (6.6 log10 pfu) developed a brief viremia, showed no signs of illness, developed high titers of anti-JE neutralizing antibody, and had minimal brain and spinal cord lesion scores according to criteria specified in the WHO monkey neurovirulence test. A control group of 3 monkeys that received a lower dose (4.2 log10 pfu) of commercial YF 17D vaccine had slightly higher lesion scores. To develop a lethal monkey model of JE for vaccine protection tests, we inoculated groups of monkeys i.c. or intranasally (i.n.) with a JE virus strain found to be highly neurovirulent and neuroinvasive for mice. Monkeys inoculated i.c., but not i.n., developed severe encephalitis after an incubation period of 8-13 days. The ChimeriVax-JE virus was passed in a cell line acceptable for human use (diploid fetal rhesus lung) and 4.3 or 5.3 log10 pfu were inoculated into groups of 3 monkeys by the subcutaneous route. All 6 animals developed brief viremias (peak titer < 2.0 log10 pfu/ml) and subsequently had anti-JE but no yellow fever neutralizing antibodies. On day 64, the monkeys were challenged i.c. with 5.5 log10 pfu of virulent JE virus. The immunized animals had no detectable viremia post-challenge, whereas 4 unimmunized controls became viremic. Only 1 of 6 (17%) vaccinated monkeys but 4 of 4 (100%) unvaccinated controls developed encephalitis. Histopathological examination 30 days after challenge confirmed that the protected, immunized animals had no or minimal evidence of encephalitis. These data demonstrated the ability of the ChimeriVax-JE to induce a rapid humoral immune response and to protect against a very severe, direct intracerebral virus challenge. Target areas of neuronal damage and inflammation in monkeys infected IC with wild-type JE, the chimaeric virus and YF 17D were similar, indicating that the histopathological scoring system used for the WHO yellow fever monkey neurovirulence test will be applicable to control testing of chimaeric seed viruses and vaccines.

Effect of bafilomycin A1 on the growth of Japanese encephalitis virus in Vero cells

We studied the effect of bafilomycin A1 (Baf-A1), a novel and highly specific inhibitor for vacuolar-type proton (V-H+) pump, on the growth of Japanese Encephalitis virus (JEV) in Vero cells. Viral fluorescence microscopic study showed that Baf-A1 induced the complete disappearance of acidified compartments such as endosomes and lysosomes in Vero cells by the treatment with 0.1 microM Baf-A1 for 1 h at 37 degrees C. In proportion to the disappearance of acidified compartments, virus growth was inhibited when Baf-A1 was present from 1 h before infection to the end of incubation in a dose-dependent manner, or added within as early as 5 min after infection. Conversely, the virus growth was recovered in correlation with the reappearance of acidified compartments after removal of Baf-A1. These results suggest that a low pH condition, which is regulated by Baf-A1-sensitive V-H+ pumps, is essential for the early stage of JEV growth.

Susceptibility of three laboratory strains of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) to Japanese encephalitis virus from Taiwan

The susceptibility of 3 laboratory strains of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (Sanhsia [SH], Yungho [YH], Liyang [LY], and 1 strain of Culex tritaeniorhynchus Giles from northern and central Taiwan were compared for susceptibility to the MQ1-2 strain of Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus. The median infective dose (MID50) by intrathoracic inoculation was 0.23, 0.76, 1.60, and -0.03 log10 WMICLD50 (50% weanling mice intracranial lethal dose) with Ae. albopictus SH, YH, LY, and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, respectively. After feeding on a sweetened blood-virus mixture, the oral MID50 was 2.03, 4.32, and 4.98 log10 WMICLD50 for SH, YH, and LY, respectively, and 1.02 log10 WMICLD50 for Cx. tritaeniorhynchus. The SH Ae. albopictus strain transmitted virus to normal mice after 14 d. with an average transmission rate of 45%. Based on these results, the SH strain was the most susceptible and important potential vector among 3 Ae. albopictus strains for the sympatric MQ1-2 strain of JE.

Assessment of neutralizing antibodies elicited by a vaccine (Nakayama) strain of Japanese encephalitis virus in Taiwan

A total of 368 blood specimens were resampled from a serum collection containing 2914 blood samples which were collected by a random sampling in Taiwan in 1991. The plaque reduction neutralization test was applied to evaluate the neutralizing ability to two strains of Japanese encephalitis viruses, i.e. Nakayama (the present vaccine strain) and JE5 (a Taiwan isolate). The result revealed that antibodies against JE virus were present in each stratified age group. Antibody positive rates were both highest in the group older than 70 years although the lowest rates were located in different groups. In addition, the result showed that the immunogenicity potency of the antibody induced by the vaccine strain did not have a good coverage against JE5. The rate of neutralizing antibodies above the level of protective efficacy of the present vaccine was limited as low as 37.93%. Efficacy of the vaccine used at present was apparently not efficient. Consideration of a more promising vaccine may be necessary.

Inhibition of Japanese encephalitis virus infection by nitric oxide: antiviral effect of nitric oxide on RNA virus replication

The antiviral effects of nitric oxide (NO) on Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a member of the family Flaviviridae, were investigated in this study. In vitro, inhibition of replication of JEV in gamma interferon-activated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages was correlated to cellular NO production. When cocultured with infected murine neuroblastoma N18 cells, gamma interferon-activated RAW 264.7 cells also efficiently hindered JEV replication in contiguous bystanders, and this anti-JEV effect could be reversed by an NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor, N-monomethyl-L-arginine acetate. In vivo, the mortality rate increased as the NOS activity of JEV-infected mice was inhibited by its competitive inhibitor, N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. Moreover, when an organic donor, S-nitro-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), was used, the NO-mediated antiviral effect was also observed in primarily JEV-infected N18, human neuronal NT-2, and BHK-21 cells, as well as in persistently JEV-infected C2-2 cells. These data reaffirm that NO has an effective and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against diversified intracellular pathogens. Interestingly, the antiviral effect of NO was not enhanced by treatment of N18 cells with SNAP prior to JEV infection, a measure which has been shown to greatly increase the antiviral effect of NO in infection by vesicular stomatitis virus. From biochemical analysis of the impact of NO on JEV replication in cell culture, NO was found to profoundly inhibit viral RNA synthesis, viral protein accumulation, and virus release from infected cells. The results herein thus suggest that NO may play a crucial role in the innate immunity of the host to restrict the initial stage of JEV infection in the central nervous system.

In vitro antiviral activity of indigenous glycyrrhizin, licorice and glycyrrhizic acid (Sigma) on Japanese encephalitis virus

Glycyrrhizin, a triterpenoid glycoside and Licorice from Glycyrrhiza glabra and Ammonium salt of Glycyrrhizic acid (Sigma) were tested for antiviral activity on three strains of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), Nakayama, P-20778 and 821564 XY48. Purified glycyrrhizin (M.w. 822.92) inhibited plaque formation in all the three strains of JEV at a concentration of 500 micrograms/ml at 96 hrs, Similar effect was observed at 1000 micrograms/ml concentration with Licorice and Ammonium salt of glycyrrhizic acid. The minimal inhibitory concentrations were not toxic to porcine stable kidney (PS) and human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cell lines. Cyctotoxicity of these chemicals was evaluated by trypan blue dye exclusion test which indicated subtoxic concentrations at 5,000 micrograms/ml at 96 hrs and toxic concentrations were 10,000 micrograms/ml at the same time period for the host cells PS. Thus the indigenously purified glycyrrhizin seems to be more potent antiviral agent than Licorice and ammonium salt of glycyrrhizic acid (Sigma) for JEV 'in vitro'.

Nutrient composition for cultivation of Japanese encephalitis virus in vitro

Effects of certain groups of nutrients such as glucose, essential amino acids (AA), nonessential AA, vitamins and trace nutrients on the multiplication of various strains of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) were studied with an aim to optimise the conditions for cultivation of the virus in porcine stable (PS) kidney cell cultures. Eagle's Minimal Essential Medium (MEM) was modified by addition of the nutrients in different concentrations and combinations. Glucose was found the most important single nutrient in promoting significantly the virus multiplication. Essential AA alone did not influence the virus yield, while in combination with glucose they caused its marked increase. Vitamins and other nutrients did not stimulate significantly virus multiplication. The study revealed that the extent of the glucose effect depends on the virus strain used.

Growth and cytopathic effect of Japanese encephalitis virus in astrocyte-enriched cell cultures from neonatal mouse brains

Neuron-free, astrocyte-enriched brain cell cultures from newborn mice could be infected with Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) as evidenced by immunofluorescence (IF), viral replication and cytopathic effect (CPE). Virus-specific cytoplasmic fluorescence was detectable in astrocytes first after 18 hrs, released infectious progeny virus in the culture fluid after 24 hrs, and CPE after 11 days post infection (p.i.).

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes raised against Japanese encephalitis virus: effector cell phenotype, target specificity and in vitro virus clearance

Several H-2 defined cell lines were examined for their ability to support infection and replication of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) before their use in in vitro and in vivo stimulation protocols for generating cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) against JEV. Among 11 different cell lines tested, two H-2d macrophage tumour lines (P388D1, RAW 264.7), an H-2d hybridoma (Sp2/0), an H-2KkDd neuroblastoma (Neuro 2a), and H-2k fibroblast cell line (L929) were found to support JEV infection and replication. These cell lines were used to generate anti-JEV CTLs by using in vivo immunization followed by in vitro stimulation of BALB/c mice. We observed that not only syngeneic and allogeneic infected cells but also JEV-infected xenogeneic cells could prime BALB/c mice for the generation of JEV-specific CTLs upon subsequent in vitro stimulation of splenocytes with JEV-infected syngeneic cells. Although infected xenogeneic cells were used for immunization, the anti-JEV effectors that were generated lysed infected syngeneic targets but not JEV-infected xenogeneic or allogeneic target cells in a 5 h 51Cr release assay. These anti-JEV effectors recognized syngeneic target cells infected with West Nile virus to a lesser extent and were shown to be Lyt-2.2+ T cells. The results of unlabelled cold target competition studies suggested alterations in the cell surface expression of viral antigenic determinants recognized by these CTLs. We further demonstrate that the JEV-specific CTLs generated could virtually block the release of infectious virus particles from infected P388D1 and Neuro 2a cells in vitro.

Morphogenesis of the protein secretory system in PC12 cells infected with Japanese encephalitis virus

Infection of PC12 cells with Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus caused marked proliferation of the protein secretory system. Accordingly, in this study the morphogenesis of the secretory organelles, i.e., rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and the Golgi apparatus, in JE virus-infected PC12 cells was analyzed by electron microscopical observation. Starting 24 h postinoculation (p.i.), a structure that represented nascent RER appeared in the cytoplasm in the form of rows of ribosomes which surrounded membrane-unbounded, electron-lucent lacunae in a reticular, honey-comb pattern (reticular RER). Although the reticular RER lacked membrane components, its lacunae contained progeny virions, indicating that the rows of ribosomes synthesized the viral proteins and discharged them into the lacunae for the viral assembly. The reticular RER apparently transformed into the familiar lamellar RER during the RER morphogenesis as the lacunae coalesced to form flat cisternae and RER membrane assembled to border the cisternae. These findings indicated that the proliferating RER was the site of not only active protein synthesis but also active membrane biogenesis. The proliferating RER released a large number of membrane vesicles including virion-carrying vesicles into the cytoplasm. These vesicles congregated in the juxtanuclear region, especially around the centrioles, and fused to existing Golgi complexes for enlargement or fused among themselves to form new Golgi complexes. The present study, therefore, indicated that (a) nascent RER was formed by polysomes that arranged themselves in rows of ribosomes without participation of a preexisting membrane framework of endoplasmic reticulum (ER), (b) membrane components of RER were assembled de novo within the structure during the RER morphogenesis, and (c) RER released membrane vesicles that moved to the Golgi apparatus and contributed to the morphogenesis of the Golgi apparatus. Possible causative mechanisms involved in the proliferation of the secretory system in JE virus-infected PC12 cells are discussed.

Detection of viral antigens on the surface of cells infected with Japanese encephalitis virus by modified immunofluorescent technique

A modified immunofluorescent method employing anti-Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus monoclonal (MoAbs) and polyclonal (immune PF) antibodies was evaluated for the detection of viral antigens expressed on the surface of porcine stable kidney cells infected with JE virus (733913, India). The infected cells showed granular immunofluorescence on the surface with both the MoAbs, Hs-1 and Hx-3 and immune PF 24 hr and 48 hr post virus infection. Interestingly, two strains of JE virus viz. Yoken (Japan) and 755468 (India) which did not react with the MoAb Hs-1 in the standard indirect fluorescent antibody (FA) technique, were positive for surface immunofluorescence (IF) with the same MoAb. Thus, the modified technique will be useful for the detection of more labile and conformational-dependent epitopes which might get lost or denatured by prior fixation of infected cells with acetone.

Japanese encephalitis virus latency in peripheral blood lymphocytes and recurrence of infection in children

In a study group of 40 children who had been admitted to hospital with acute encephalitis, the disease was due to infection with Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). Three children developed recurrence of disease 8-9 months later. No virus had been isolated from these three patients during the acute stage of their illness, but virus was recovered from all during the recurrence phase by co-cultivation of their peripheral blood mononuclear cells in primary mouse embryo fibroblast cultures. Virus was also recovered by co-cultivation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells collected 8 months after their acute disease from three out of eight randomly selected asymptomatic children within the study group but not from similar cultures set up from JEV-seronegative children used as controls. Virus was also isolated by co-cultivation of T lymphocytes of asymptomatic children as detected by indirect immunofluorescence or by inoculation in mice.

Entry and replication of Japanese encephalitis virus in cultured neurogenic cells

The entry mode and growth pattern of Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus in mouse neuroblastoma N18TG2 cells and mouse neuroblastoma x rat glioma NG108-15 hybrid cells were studied by electron microscopy. At two minutes after inoculation, JE virions adsorbed onto and directly penetrated through the plasma membrane of the hybrid cells, whereas virions did not adsorb nor entered the neuroblastoma cells. Correspondingly, the hybrid cells showed assembling progeny JE virions in the cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) 1 day postinoculation (p.i.) although virions were rarely found on the following days during the experiment. On the other hand, progeny virions did not assemble in the RER cisternae of the neuroblastoma cells throughout the experiment. The morphologic observations, therefore, suggest that (a) the hybrid cells express JE-virus receptors which facilitate the viral attachment onto and entry into the cells, while the neuroblastoma cells do not and (b) JE virus replicates very poorly after the entry into the hybrid cells while it does not replicate at all in the neuroblastoma cells. The virus titrations of the media of the neuroblastoma and hybrid cell cultures showed only titers indicative of residual virus of the inoculum that progressively decreased during the experiment. The present results show therefore that of the two neurogenic cell culture lines studied only the hybrid cell line can be used for the study of viral entry and replication, although it is not suited for virus production. Possible reasons for the poor replication of JE virus in the hybrid cells are discussed.

Evidence for latency of Japanese encephalitis virus in T lymphocytes

Activation of latent Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) in the spleen has been studied by co-cultivation with allogeneic or syngeneic cells. Activated virus was isolated by co-cultivation from T lymphocytes of spleen, as shown by indirect immunofluorescence or by inoculation into mice. The B lymphocytes and macrophages of latently infected mice did not reactivate the virus. A higher proportion of Lyt 1 cells than Lyt 2 cells were harbouring JEV as shown by indirect immunofluorescence. The spleen cells from latently infected mice elicited the lymphoproliferative response but this was much lower than that observed in the controls. These findings suggest the establishment of latent JEV infection in T lymphocytes.