The αvβ6 integrin receptor for Foot-and-mouth disease virus is expressed constitutively on the epithelial cells targeted in cattle

Susceptibility of primary ovine dorsal soft palate and palatine tonsil cells to FMDV infection

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals. This disease is one of the most important in animal health due to its significant socio-economic impact, especially in case of an outbreak. One important challenge associated with this disease is the ability of the FMD virus (FMDV) to persist in its hosts through still unresolved underlying mechanisms. The absence of relevant in vitro models is one factor preventing advancement in our understanding of FMDV persistence. While a primary bovine cell model has been established using cells from FMDV primary and persistence site in cattle, it appeared interesting to develop a similar model based on ovine anatomical sites of interest to compare host-pathogen interactions. Thus, epithelial cells derived from the palatine tonsils and the dorsal soft palate were isolated and cultured. Their epithelial nature was confirmed using immunofluorescence. Following monolayer infection with FMDV O/FRA/1/2001 Clone 2.2, the FMDV-sensitivity of these cells was evaluated. Dorsal soft palate (DSP) cells were also expanded in multilayers at the air-liquid interface to mimic a stratified epithelium sensitive to FMDV infection. Our investigation revealed the presence of infectious virus, as well as viral antigens and viral RNA, up to 35 days after infection of the cell multilayers. Further experiment with DSP cells from different individuals needs to be reproduced to confirm the robustness of the new model of persistence in multilayer DSP. The establishment of such primary cells creates new opportunities for FMDV research and analysis in sheep cells.

Bovine Rhinitis B Virus Variant as the Putative Cause of Bronchitis in Goat Kids

A diagnostic investigation into an outbreak of fatal respiratory disease among young goats in Iowa, USA revealed bronchitis lesions of unknown etiology and secondary bacterial bronchopneumonia. Hypothesis-free metagenomics identified a previously unreported picornavirus (USA/IA26017/2023), and further phylogenetic analysis classified USA/IA26017/2023 as an aphthovirus related to bovine rhinitis B virus. Viral nucleic acid was localized to lesions of bronchitis using in situ hybridization. This marks the first report of a picornavirus putatively causing respiratory disease in goats and highlights the potential for cross-species transmission of aphthoviruses.

Development of a primary cell model derived from porcine dorsal soft palate for foot-and-mouth disease virus research and diagnosis

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals that has a significant socio-economic impact. One concern associated with this disease is the ability of its etiological agent, the FMD virus (FMDV), to persist in its hosts through underlying mechanisms that remain to be elucidated. While persistence has been described in cattle and small ruminants, it is unlikely to occur in pigs. One of the factors limiting the progress in understanding FMDV persistence and, in particular, differential persistence is the lack of suitable in vitro models. A primary bovine cell model derived from the dorsal soft palate, which is the primary site of replication and persistence of FMDV in cattle, has been developed, and it seemed relevant to develop a similar porcine model. Cells from two sites of FMDV replication in pigs, namely, the dorsal soft palate and the oropharyngeal tonsils, were isolated and cultured. The epithelial character of the cells from the dorsal soft palate was then assessed by immunofluorescence. The FMDV-sensitivity of these cells was assessed after monolayer infection with FMDV O/FRA/1/2001 Clone 2.2. These cells were also grown in multilayers at the air-liquid interface to mimic a stratified epithelium susceptible to FMDV infection. Consistent with what has been shown in vivo in pigs, our study showed no evidence of persistence of FMDV in either the monolayer or multilayer model, with no infectious virus detected 28 days after infection. The development of such a model opens up new possibilities for the study and diagnosis of FMDV in porcine cells.

The role of Type I interferons in the pathogenesis of foot-and-mouth disease virus in cattle: A mathematical modelling analysis

Type I interferons (IFN) are the first line of immune response against infection. In this study, we explore the interaction between Type I IFN and foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), focusing on the effect of this interaction on epithelial cell death. While several mathematical models have explored the interaction between interferon and viruses at a systemic level, with most of the work undertaken on influenza and hepatitis C, these cannot investigate why a virus such as FMDV causes extensive cell death in some epithelial tissues leading to the development of lesions, while other infected epithelial tissues exhibit negligible cell death. Our study shows how a model that includes epithelial tissue structure can explain the development of lesions in some tissues and their absence in others. Furthermore, we show how the site of viral entry in an epithelial tissue, the viral replication rate, IFN production, suppression of viral replication by IFN and IFN release by live cells, all have a major impact on results.

Heat Shock Protein 60 Is Involved in Viral Replication Complex Formation and Facilitates Foot and Mouth Virus Replication by Stabilizing Viral Nonstructural Proteins 3A and 2C

The maintenance of viral protein homeostasis depends on the machinery of the infected host cells, giving us an insight into the interplay between host and virus. Accumulating evidence suggests that heat shock protein 60 (HSP60), as one molecular chaperone, is involved in regulating virus infection. However, the role of HSP60 during foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) replication and its specific mechanisms have not been reported. We demonstrate that HSP60 modulates the FMDV life cycle. HSP60 plays a role at the postentry stage of the viral life cycle, including RNA replication and mRNA translation; however, HSP60 does not affect viral replication of Seneca Valley virus (SVA) or encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV). We found that HSP60 is involved in FMDV replication complex (RC) formation. Furthermore, our results indicate that HSP60 interacts with FMDV nonstructural proteins 3A and 2C, key elements of the viral replication complex. We also show that HSP60 regulates the stability of 3A and 2C via caspase-dependent and autophagy-lysosome-dependent degradation, thereby promoting FMDV RNA synthesis and mRNA translation mediated by the RC. Additionally, we determined that the apical domain of HSP60 is responsible for interacting with 3A and 2C. The N terminus of 3A and ATPase domain of 2C are involved in binding to HSP60. Importantly, HSP60 depletion potently reduced FMDV pathogenicity in infected mice. Altogether, this study demonstrates a specific role of HSP60 in promoting FMDV replication. Furthermore, targeting host HSP60 will help us design the FMDV-specific antiviral drugs.

An Improved αvβ6-Receptor-Expressing Suspension Cell Line for Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccine Production

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is endemic in large parts of sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and South America, where outbreaks in cloven-hooved livestock threaten food security and have severe economic impacts. Vaccination in endemic regions remains the most effective control strategy. Current FMD vaccines are produced from chemically inactivated foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) grown in suspension cultures of baby hamster kidney 21 cells (BHK-21). Strain diversity means vaccines produced from one subtype may not fully protect against circulating disparate subtypes, necessitating the development of new vaccine strains that "antigenically match". However, some viruses have proven difficult to adapt to cell culture, slowing the manufacturing process, reducing vaccine yield and limiting the availability of effective vaccines, as well as potentiating the selection of undesired antigenic changes. To circumvent the need to cell culture adapt FMDV, we have used a systematic approach to develop recombinant suspension BHK-21 that stably express the key FMDV receptor integrin αvβ6. We show that αvβ6 expression is retained at consistently high levels as a mixed cell population and as a clonal cell line. Following exposure to field strains of FMDV, these recombinant BHK-21 facilitated higher virus yields compared to both parental and control BHK-21, whilst demonstrating comparable growth kinetics. The presented data supports the application of these recombinant αvβ6-expressing BHK-21 in future FMD vaccine production.

FMD empty capsids combined with the Immunostant Particle Adjuvant -ISPA or ISA206 induce protective immunity against foot and mouth disease virus

Foot and Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV) causes economy losses and is controlled by vaccination in many countries. Vaccine formulations based on empty capsids or Virus-Like Particles (VLPs) have the advantage of avoiding the biological hazard of using infectious FMDV, albeit are poorly immunogenic. Recently, we have described that ISPA a new Immune Stimulating Complex adjuvant, is useful to improve the response against FMD of vaccines that use inactivated virus. Now, the adjuvant effects of ISPA and ISA 206 (water/oil/water) on a VLPs-based FMD vaccine were evaluated. VLPs (strain A/Argentina/2001) were obtained in mammalian cell cultures and their elicitation of an immune response against FMDV with and without ISPA or ISA 206 was evaluated in mice as a first approach. Notably, VLPs-ISPA and VLPs-ISA 206 vaccines induced protection against viral challenge in 100 % of mice, while protection induced by VLPs alone was of 40 %. Total and neutralizing FMDV antibodies were higher in the VLPs-ISPA and VLPs-ISA 206 groups compared to the VLPs group. VLPs-ISPA induced significantly higher (p < 0.001) IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b and IgG3 titers than the VLPs vaccine. Moreover, in comparison with non-adjuvanted VLPs, VLPs-ISPA and VLPs-ISA 206 elicited an increased virus-specific T response, including higher IFNγ+/CD8 + lymphocyte production in mice. When these vaccines were tested in calves, antibody titers reached an Expected Percentage of Protection (EPP) above 90 % in the case of the VLPs-ISPA and VLPs-ISA 206 vaccines, while, in the VLPs group, EPP reached 25 %. IFNγ levels secreted by mononuclear cells of VLP-ISPA-vaccinated cattle were significantly higher than in the VLPs group. Overall, the results demonstrate that VLPs-ISPA or VLPs-ISA 206 are promising formulations for the development of a novel FMD vaccine.

Monoclonal antibodies against foot-and-mouth disease virus RNA polymerase for detection of virus infection

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a major viral disease in farm animals. In the present study, seven monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were produced against the FMD virus (FMDV)-encoded RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (3D protein) and characterized. Screening of mAb reactivity against three overlapping fragments of the 3D protein expressed in Escherichia coli revealed that the binding sites of all the mAbs were confined to the N-terminal one-third of the 3D protein. A selected mAb was utilized for detecting FMDV in the infected cell culture and tissues obtained from FMDV-infected animals.

Pathogenesis of non-epithelial foot-and-mouth disease in neonatal animals

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), which causes a highly contagious viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals, is notable for epithelial cell tropism, resulting in the appearance of vesicles on the feet and in and around the mouth in infected animals, while FMDV infection in neonatal animals is also associated with not only epithelial lesions, but also muscle-associated lesions, which leads to myocarditis, resulting in high-mortality. However, critical knowledge about the non-epithelial tropism of FMDV is still lacking. In this paper, the current progress of the FMDV non-epithelial tropisms is summarized and the possible role of the key viral and cellular components involved is discussed.

Clinical quantification of the integrin αvβ6 by [18F]FB-A20FMDV2 positron emission tomography in healthy and fibrotic human lung (PETAL Study)

PURPOSE

The RGD-integrin, αvβ6, plays a role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis through activation of transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ). This study sought to quantify expression of αvβ6 in the lungs of healthy humans and subjects with pulmonary fibrosis using the αvβ6-selective [18F]FB-A20FMDV2 PET ligand.

METHODS

[18F]FB-A20FMDV2 PET/CT scans were performed in healthy subjects and those with fibrotic lung disease. Standard uptake values (SUV) and volume of distribution (VT) were used to quantify αvβ6 expression. In subjects with fibrotic lung disease, qualitative assessment of the relationship between αvβ6 expression and the distribution of fibrosis on high resolution computed tomography was conducted.

RESULTS

A total of 15 participants (6 healthy, 7 with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and 2 with connective tissue disease (CTD) associated PF) were enrolled. VT and SUV of [18F]FB-A20FMDV2 were increased in the lungs of subjects with pulmonary fibrosis (PF) compared with healthy subjects. Geometric mean VT (95% CI) was 0.88 (0.60, 1.29) mL/cm3 for healthy subjects, and 1.40 (1.22, 1.61) mL/cm3 for subjects with IPF; and SUV was 0.54 (0.36, 0.81) g/mL for healthy subjects and 1.03 (0.86, 1.22) g/mL for subjects with IPF. The IPF/healthy VT ratio (geometric mean, (95% CI of ratio)) was 1.59 (1.09, 2.32) (probability ratio > 1 = 0.988)) and the SUV ratio was 1.91 (1.27, 2.87) (probability ratio > 1 = 0.996). Increased uptake of [18F]FB-A20FMDV2 in PF was predominantly confined to fibrotic areas. [18F]FB-A20FMDV2 measurements were reproducible at an interval of 2 weeks. [18F]FB-A20FMDV2 was safe and well tolerated.

CONCLUSIONS

Lung uptake of [18F]FB-A20FMDV2, a measure of expression of the integrin αvβ6, was markedly increased in subjects with PF compared with healthy subjects.

Pathogenesis, biophysical stability and phenotypic variance of SAT2 foot-and-mouth disease virus

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious vesicular disease of cloven-hoofed animals, which severely decreases livestock productivity. FMD virus (FMDV), the causative agent, initiates infection by interaction with integrin cellular receptors on pharyngeal epithelium cells, causing clinical signs one to four days after transmission to a susceptible host. However, some Southern African Territories (SAT) viruses have been reported to cause mild or subclinical infections that may go undiagnosed in field conditions and are likely to be more common than previously expected. The studies presented here demonstrate that not all SAT2 viruses are equally virulent in cattle. The two SAT2 viruses, ZIM/5/83 and ZIM/7/83, were both highly attenuated in cattle, as evidenced by the mild clinical signs observed after needle challenge, while two incongruent SAT2 viruses showed significantly different clinical signs in challenged cattle. We then explored the ability of the SAT2 viruses to infect different cell types with defined receptors that are utilised by FMDV and found differences in their ability to lyse cells in culture and to compete in a controlled cell culture environment. The population sequence variation between ZIM/5/83 and ZIM/7/83 revealed multiple sites of single nucleotide variants of low frequency between the predominant virus populations, as could be expected from the genome of an RNA virus. An assessment of the biophysical stability of SAT2 virions during acidification indicated that the SAT2 virus EGY/09/12 was more resilient to acidification than the ZIM/5/83 and ZIM/7/83 viruses; however, whether this difference relates to differences in virulence in vivo is unclear. This study is a consolidated view of the key findings of SAT2 viruses studied over a 14-year period involving many different experiments.

Estimating viral bottleneck sizes for FMDV transmission within and between hosts and implications for the rate of viral evolution

RNA viruses exist as populations of closely related genomes, characterized by a high diversity of low-frequency variants. As viral genomes from one population disperse to establish new sites of replication, the fate of these low-frequency variants depends to a large extent on the size of the founding population. Focusing on foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) we conjecture that variants are more likely to be transmitted through wide bottlenecks, but more likely to approach fixation in new populations following narrow bottlenecks; therefore, the longer-term rate of accumulation of 'nearly neutral' variants at high frequencies is likely to be inversely related to the bottleneck size. We examine this conjecture in vivo by estimating bottleneck sizes relating 'parent' and 'daughter' populations observed at different scales ranging from within host to between host (within the same herd, and in different herds) using a previously established method. Within hosts, we find bottleneck sizes to range from 5 to 20 viral genomes between populations transmitted from the pharynx to the serum, and from 4 to 54 between serum and lesion populations. Between hosts, we find bottleneck sizes to range from 2 to 39, suggesting inter-host bottlenecks are of a similar size to intra-host bottlenecks. We establish a statistically significant negative relationship between the probability of genomic consensus level change and bottleneck size, and present a simple sampling model that captures this empirical relationship. We also present a novel in vitro experiment to investigate the impact of bottleneck size on the frequency of mutations within FMDV populations, demonstrate that variant frequency in a population increases more rapidly during small population passages, and provide evidence for positive selection during the passage of large populations.

Model of persistent foot-and-mouth disease virus infection in multilayered cells derived from bovine dorsal soft palate

Foot‐and‐mouth disease virus (FMDV) causes a highly contagious vesicular disease in livestock, with serious consequences for international trade. The virus persists in the nasopharynx of cattle and this slows down the process to obtain an FMDV‐free status after an outbreak. To study biological mechanisms, or to identify molecules that can be targeted to diagnose or interfere with persistence, we developed a model of persistent FMDV infection in bovine dorsal soft palate (DSP). Primary DSP cells were isolated after commercial slaughter and were cultured in multilayers at the air‐liquid interface. After 5 weeks of culture without further passage, the cells were infected with FMDV strain O/FRA/1/2001. Approximately, 20% of cells still had a polygonal morphology and displayed tight junctions as in stratified squamous epithelia. Subsets of cells expressed cytokeratin and most or all cells expressed vimentin. In contrast to monolayers in medium, multilayers in air demonstrated only a limited cytopathic effect. Integrin α_Vβ₆ expression was observed in mono‐ but not in multilayers. FMDV antigen, FMDV RNA and live virus were detected from day 1 to 28, with peaks at day 1 and 2. The proportion of infected cells was highest at 24 hr (3% and 36% of cells at an MOI of 0.01 and 1, respectively). At day 28 after infection, at a time when animals that still harbour FMDV are considered carriers, FMDV antigen was detected in 0.2%–2.1% of cells, in all layers, and live virus was isolated from supernatants of 6/8 cultures. On the consensus level, the viral genome did not change within the first 24 hr after infection. Only a few minor single nucleotide variants were detected, giving no indication of the presence of a viral quasispecies. The air‐liquid interface model of DSP brings new possibilities to investigate FMDV persistence in a controlled manner.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Leader Protease Cleaves G3BP1 and G3BP2 and Inhibits Stress Granule Formation

Like other viruses, the picornavirus foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV; genus Aphthovirus), one of the most notorious pathogens in the global livestock industry, needs to navigate antiviral host responses to establish an infection. There is substantial insight into how FMDV suppresses the type I interferon (IFN) response, but it is largely unknown whether and how FMDV modulates the integrated stress response. Here, we show that the stress response is suppressed during FMDV infection. Using a chimeric recombinant encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV), in which we functionally replaced the endogenous stress response antagonist by FMDV leader protease (L^pro) or 3C^pro, we demonstrate an essential role for L^pro in suppressing stress granule (SG) formation. Consistently, infection with a recombinant FMDV lacking L^pro resulted in SG formation. Additionally, we show that L^pro cleaves the known SG scaffold proteins G3BP1 and G3BP2 but not TIA-1. We demonstrate that the closely related equine rhinitis A virus (ERAV) L^pro also cleaves G3BP1 and G3BP2 and also suppresses SG formation, indicating that these abilities are conserved among aphthoviruses. Neither FMDV nor ERAV L^pro interfered with phosphorylation of RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) or eIF2α, indicating that L^pro does not affect SG formation by inhibiting the PKR-triggered signaling cascade. Taken together, our data suggest that aphthoviruses actively target scaffolding proteins G3BP1 and G3BP2 and antagonize SG formation to modulate the integrated stress response.IMPORTANCE The picornavirus foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) is a notorious animal pathogen that puts a major economic burden on the global livestock industry. Outbreaks have significant consequences for animal health and product safety. Like many other viruses, FMDV must manipulate antiviral host responses to establish infection. Upon infection, viral double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is detected, which results in the activation of the RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR)-mediated stress response, leading to a stop in cellular and viral translation and the formation of stress granules (SG), which are thought to have antiviral properties. Here, we show that FMDV can suppress SG formation via its leader protease (L^pro). Simultaneously, we observed that L^pro can cleave the SG scaffolding proteins G3BP1 and G3BP2. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of the antiviral host response evasion strategies of FMDV may help to develop countermeasures to control FMDV infections in the future.

The Different Tactics of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus to Evade Innate Immunity

Like all pathogens, foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) is recognized by the immune system inducing a heightened immune response mainly mediated by type I and type III IFNs. To overcome the strong antiviral response induced by these cytokines, FMDV has evolved many strategies exploiting each region of its small RNA genome. These include: (a) inhibition of IFN induction at the transcriptional and translational level, (b) inhibition of protein trafficking; (c) blockage of specific post-translational modifications in proteins that regulate innate immune signaling; (d) modulation of autophagy; (e) inhibition of stress granule formation; and (f) in vivo modulation of immune cell function. Here, we summarize and discuss FMDV virulence factors and the host immune footprint that characterize infection in cell culture and in the natural hosts.

Integrin αvβ6: Structure, function and role in health and disease

Integrins are cell surface receptors that traditionally mediate cell-to-extracellular matrix and cell-to-cell adhesion. They can, however, also bind a large repertoire of other molecules. Integrin αvβ6 is exclusively expressed in epithelial cells where it can, for example, serve as a fibronectin receptor. However, its hallmark function is to activate transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) to modulate innate immune surveillance in lungs and skin and along the gastrointestinal tract, and to maintain epithelial stem cell quiescence. The loss of αvβ6 integrin function in mice and humans leads to an altered immune response in lungs and skin, amelogenesis imperfecta, periodontal disease and, in some cases, alopecia. Elevated αvβ6 integrin expression and aberrant TGF-β1 activation and function are associated with organ fibrosis and cancer. Therefore, αvβ6 integrin serves as an attractive target for cancer imaging and for fibrosis and cancer therapy.

Inhibition of viral replication by small interfering RNA targeting of the foot-and-mouth disease virus receptor integrin β6

In animals, foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) causes symptoms such as fever, limping and the development of blister spots on the skin and mucous membranes. RNA interference (RNAi) may be a novel way of controlling the FMD virus (FMDV), specifically by targeting its cognate receptor protein integrin β6. The present study used RNAi technology to construct and screen plasmids that expressed small interfering RNA molecules (siRNAs) specific for the integrin β6 subunit. Expression of green fluorescence protein from the RNAi plasmids was observed following transfection into porcine embryonic fibroblast (PEF) cells, and RNAi plasmids were screened using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis. A fragment (5'AAAGGCCAAGTGGCAAACGGG 3') with marked interference activity was ligated into a PXL-EGFP-NEO integration plasmid and transfected into PEF cells. Transfected cells were selected using G418, and interference of the integrated plasmid was subsequently evaluated by FMDV challenge experiments, in which the levels of viral replication were determined using optical microscopy and RT-qPCR. A total of seven interference plasmids were successfully constructed, including the pGsi-Z4 plasmid, which had a significant interference efficiency of 91.7% in PEF cells (**P<0.01). Upon transfection into PEF cells for 36 h, a Z4 integration plasmid exhibited significant inhibitory effects (**P<0.01) on the integrin β6 subunit. Subsequent challenge experiments in transfected PEF cells also demonstrated that viral replication was reduced by 24.2 and 12.8% after 24 and 36 h, respectively. These data indicate that RNAi technology may inhibit intracellular viral replication in PEF cells by reducing expression of the FMDV receptor integrin β6.

Myocarditis Associated with Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Type O in Lambs

The present study describes the pathogenetic mechanisms of myocarditis in 9 lambs that died in a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Samsun, Turkey. In all the heart samples tested, ELISA and sequencing for phylogenetic analyses showed that the virus, namely O/TUR/Samsun/05, was associated with the PanAsia pandemic strain of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) type O. The lambs had myocardial lesions but no typical vesicular lesions. In situ reverse transcription showed that many cardiomyocytes and some interstitial cells were positive for FMDV type O. Inflammatory infiltration, hyaline degeneration, and necrosis of sheets of myocytes were observed. The cellular infiltrates were mononuclear cells, including many lymphocytes, macrophages, a few plasma cells, and neutrophils. Major histocompatibility complex Class II+ dendritic and mononuclear cells, γδ T cells, CD172A+ and CD14+ macrophages and monocytes, and IgM+ B cells were detected mainly in the infected hearts. Inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS) was seen mostly in areas of inflammation infiltrated by large numbers of cells. Of the 2 α-subunits of integrin known to be used as receptors by FMDV in epithelial tissues, CD49e (integrin α5) was detected in the membranes of cardiac myocytes with intercalated discs, but CD51 (integrin αV) was not detected in cardiac myocytes from infected or normal lambs. Interstitial and inflammatory cells were positive for both integrin subunits. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-positive signal was detected in the nuclei of both cardiac myocytes and interstitial cells from infected lambs. These findings suggest that the iNOS expressed by inflammatory cells in lesions may have a deleterious effect on cardiac myocytes in these lesions.

A Prime-Boost Vaccination Strategy in Cattle to Prevent Foot-and-Mouth Disease Using a "Single-Cycle" Alphavirus Vector and Empty Capsid Particles

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) remains one of the most economically important infectious diseases of production animals globally. Vaccination can successfully control this disease, however, current vaccines are imperfect. They are made using chemically inactivated FMD virus (FMDV) that is produced in large-scale mammalian cell culture under high containment conditions. Here, we have expressed the FMDV capsid protein precursor (P1-2A) of strain O1 Manisa alone or with the FMDV 3C protease (3Cpro) using a "single cycle" packaged alphavirus self-replicating RNA based on Semliki Forest virus (SFV). When the FMDV P1-2A was expressed with 3Cpro then processing of the FMDV capsid precursor protein is observed within cells and the proteins assemble into empty capsid particles. The products interact with anti-FMDV antibodies in an ELISA and bind to the integrin αvβ6 (a cellular receptor for FMDV). In cattle vaccinated with these rSFV-FMDV vectors alone, anti-FMDV antibodies were elicited but the immune response was insufficient to give protection against FMDV challenge. However, the prior vaccination with these vectors resulted in a much stronger immune response against FMDV post-challenge and the viremia observed was decreased in level and duration. In subsequent experiments, cattle were sequentially vaccinated with a rSFV-FMDV followed by recombinant FMDV empty capsid particles, or vice versa, prior to challenge. Animals given a primary vaccination with the rSFV-FMDV vector and then boosted with FMDV empty capsids showed a strong anti-FMDV antibody response prior to challenge, they were protected against disease and no FMDV RNA was detected in their sera post-challenge. Initial inoculation with empty capsids followed by the rSFV-FMDV was much less effective at combating the FMDV challenge and a large post-challenge boost to the level of anti-FMDV antibodies was observed. This prime-boost system, using reagents that can be generated outside of high-containment facilities, offers significant advantages to achieve control of FMD by vaccination.

Small G Rac1 is involved in replication cycle of dengue serotype 2 virus in EAhy926 cells via the regulation of actin cytoskeleton

Bleeding is a clinical characteristic of severe dengue and may be due to increased vascular permeability. However, the pathogenesis of severe dengue remains unclear. In this study, we showed that the Rac1-microfilament signal pathway was involved in the process of DENV serotype 2 (DENV2) infection in EAhy926 cells. DENV2 infection induced dynamic changes in actin organization, and treatment with Cytochalasin D or Jasplakinolide disrupted microfilament dynamics, reduced DENV2 entry, and inhibited DENV2 assembly and maturation. Rac1 activities decreased during the early phase and gradually increased by the late phase of infection. Expression of the dominant-negative form of Rac1 promoted DENV2 entry but inhibited viral assembly, maturation and release. Our findings demonstrated that Rac1 plays an important role in the DENV2 life cycle by regulating actin reorganization in EAhy926 cells. This finding provides further insight into the pathogenesis of severe dengue.

Inability of FMDV replication in equine kidney epithelial cells is independent of integrin αvβ3 and αvβ6

Integrins can function as receptors for foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) in epithelium. Horses are believed to be insusceptible to this disease, but the mechanism of resistance remains unclear. To detect whether FMDV can use integrin to attach to equine epithelial, we compared the utilities of αvβ3 and αvβ6 between bovine and equine kidney epithelial cells (KECs). Equine KECs showed almost equal efficiency to those of bovine. Further, the integrin αv, β3, and β6 subunits from bovine and equine were cloned and vectors were transfected into SW480 cells and COS-1 cells alone or together, and virus titers were used to determine the viral replication. In all cases, the virus reproduced successfully. Overall, FMDV can replicate in SW480 cells transfected with equine β3/β6 subunits and COS-1 cells transfected with equine αvβ3/αvβ6 integrins, but not in EKECs. These results indicated that failure of FMDV replication in EKECs was not attributed to integrin receptors.

Using Mathematical Modelling to Explore Hypotheses about the Role of Bovine Epithelium Structure in Foot-And-Mouth Disease Virus-Induced Cell Lysis

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious disease of cloven-hoofed animals. FMD virus (FMDV) shows a strong tropism for epithelial cells, and FMD is characterised by cell lysis and the development of vesicular lesions in certain epithelial tissues (for example, the tongue). By contrast, other epithelial tissues do not develop lesions, despite being sites of viral replication (for example, the dorsal soft palate). The reasons for this difference are poorly understood, but hypotheses are difficult to test experimentally. In order to identify the factors which drive cell lysis, and consequently determine the development of lesions, we developed a partial differential equation model of FMDV infection in bovine epithelial tissues and used it to explore a range of hypotheses about epithelium structure which could be driving differences in lytic behaviour observed in different tissues. Our results demonstrate that, based on current parameter estimates, epithelial tissue thickness and cell layer structure are unlikely to be determinants of FMDV-induced cell lysis. However, differences in receptor distribution or viral replication amongst cell layers could influence the development of lesions, but only if viral replication rates are much lower than current estimates.

How foot-and-mouth disease virus receptor mediates foot-and-mouth disease virus infection

This study reviews the FMDV receptor-binding domain, integrin receptors, and heparan sulfate receptors to provide references for studies regarding the mechanisms underlying FMDV infection.

Adhesion of several cell lines to Helicobacter pylori CagL is mediated by integrin αVβ6 via an RGDLXXL motif

The Helicobacter pylori type IV secretion system pilus protein CagL mediates interaction with host cells via its RGD motif. Here, we analyzed prerequisites for this interaction within CagL and on host cells. Various human cell lines were tested for adhesion to CagL. HT-29 and 23132/87 cells adhered to immobilized recombinant CagL in an RGD-dependent manner, while 293T (human embryonic kidney) and A549 cells did not. In a competitive ELISA, CagL competed with fibronectin for binding to the ectodomains of integrins αVβ6 and αVβ8 but not of αVβ1, αVβ3, αVβ5 and α5β1. Integrin αVβ6 acts as receptor for several viruses exposing an RGDLXXL motif. CagL also contains an RGDLXXL sequence. We individually mutated Leu79 and Leu82 of this motif to threonine, although both leucines are buried in the hydrophobic core. Surprisingly, the ability of CagL variants L79T and L82T to support adhesion was significantly reduced for 23132/87 cells and lost for MKN-45 and HT-29 cells. The role of integrin αVβ6 in adhesion to CagL was investigated using SW480 cells transfected with the integrin β6 subunit (SW480β6). These cells adhered to CagL in an RGD-dependent manner, while mock-transfected SW480 cells did not. The antibody 3G9 that blocks the function of integrin αVβ6 inhibited adhesion of SW480β6, MKN-45, 23132/87 and HT-29 cells to CagL. In summary, CagL features an RGDLXXL motif facilitating adhesion of several human cell lines via integrin αVβ6. The buried location of Leu79 and Leu82 supports our previously published hypothesis that CagL partly unfolds upon integrin binding.

Influenza promotes collagen deposition via αvβ6 integrin-mediated transforming growth factor β activation

Influenza infection exacerbates chronic pulmonary diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. A central pathway in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is epithelial injury leading to activation of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ). The mechanism and functional consequences of influenza-induced activation of epithelial TGFβ are unclear. Influenza stimulates toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3), which can increase RhoA activity, a key event prior to activation of TGFβ by the αvβ6 integrin. We hypothesized that influenza would stimulate TLR3 leading to activation of latent TGFβ via αvβ6 integrin in epithelial cells. Using H1152 (IC50 6.1 μm) to inhibit Rho kinase and 6.3G9 to inhibit αvβ6 integrins, we demonstrate their involvement in influenza (A/PR/8/34 H1N1) and poly(I:C)-induced TGFβ activation. We confirm the involvement of TLR3 in this process using chloroquine (IC50 11.9 μm) and a dominant negative TLR3 construct (pZERO-hTLR3). Examination of lungs from influenza-infected mice revealed augmented levels of collagen deposition, phosphorylated Smad2/3, αvβ6 integrin, and apoptotic cells. Finally, we demonstrate that αvβ6 integrin-mediated TGFβ activity following influenza infection promotes epithelial cell death in vitro and enhanced collagen deposition in vivo and that this response is diminished in Smad3 knock-out mice. These data show that H1N1 and poly(I:C) can induce αvβ6 integrin-dependent TGFβ activity in epithelial cells via stimulation of TLR3 and suggest a novel mechanism by which influenza infection may promote collagen deposition in fibrotic lung disease.

Single amino acid substitution of VP1 N17D or VP2 H145Y confers acid-resistant phenotype of type Asia1 foot-and-mouth disease virus

Infection by foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) is triggered by the acidic pH in endosomes after virus uptake by receptor-mediated endocytosis. However, dissociation of the FMDV 146S particle in mildly acidic conditions renders inactivated foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines much less effective. Type Asia1 FMDV mutants with increased resistance to acid inactivation were selected to study the molecular basis of viral resistance to acid-induced disassembly and improve the acid stability of FMDV. Sequencing of capsid-coding regions revealed four amino acid replacements (VP1 N17D, VP2 H145Y, VP2 G192D, and VP3 K153E) in the viral population of the acid-selected 10th passage. We performed single or combined mutagenesis using a reverse genetic system, and our results provide direct experimental evidence that VP2 H145Y or VP1 N17D substitution confers an acid-resistant phenotype to type Asia1 FMDV.

Foot-and-mouth disease: past, present and future

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious disease of cloven-hoofed animals including cattle, pigs, sheep and many wildlife species. It can cause enormous economic losses when incursions occur into countries which are normally disease free. In addition, it has long-term effects within countries where the disease is endemic due to reduced animal productivity and the restrictions on international trade in animal products. The disease is caused by infection with foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), a picornavirus. Seven different serotypes (and numerous variants) of FMDV have been identified. Some serotypes have a restricted geographical distribution, e.g. Asia-1, whereas others, notably serotype O, occur in many different regions. There is no cross-protection between serotypes and sometimes protection conferred by vaccines even of the same serotype can be limited. Thus it is important to characterize the viruses that are circulating if vaccination is being used for disease control. This review describes current methods for the detection and characterization of FMDVs. Sequence information is increasingly being used for identifying the source of outbreaks. In addition such information can be used to understand antigenic change within virus strains. The challenges and opportunities for improving the control of the disease within endemic settings, with a focus on Eurasia, are discussed, including the role of the FAO/EuFMD/OIE Progressive Control Pathway. Better control of the disease in endemic areas reduces the risk of incursions into disease-free regions.

Assembly and characterization of foot-and-mouth disease virus empty capsid particles expressed within mammalian cells

The foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) structural protein precursor, P1-2A, is cleaved by the virus-encoded 3C protease (3C(pro)) into the capsid proteins VP0, VP1 and VP3 (and 2A). In some systems, it is difficult to produce large amounts of these processed capsid proteins since 3C(pro) can be toxic for cells. The expression level of 3C(pro) activity has now been reduced relative to the P1-2A, and the effect on the yield of processed capsid proteins and their assembly into empty capsid particles within mammalian cells has been determined. Using a vaccinia-virus-based transient expression system, P1-2A (from serotypes O and A) and 3C(pro) were expressed from monocistronic cDNA cassettes as P1-2A-3C, or from dicistronic cassettes with the 3C(pro) expression dependent on a mutant FMDV internal ribosome entry site (IRES) (designated P1-2A-mIRES-3C). The effects of using a mutant 3C(pro) with reduced catalytic activity or using two different mutant IRES elements (the wt GNRA tetraloop sequence GCGA converted, in the cDNA, to GAGA or GTTA) were analysed. For both serotypes, the P1-2A-mIRES-3C construct containing the inefficient GTTA mutant IRES produced the highest amount of processed capsid proteins. These products self-assembled to form FMDV empty capsid particles, which have a related, but distinct, morphology (as determined by electron microscopy and reconstruction) from that determined previously by X-ray crystallography. The assembled empty capsids bind, in a divalent cation-dependent manner, to the RGD-dependent integrin αvβ6, a cellular receptor for FMDV, and are recognized appropriately in serotype-specific antigen ELISAs.

Positively charged residues at the five-fold symmetry axis of cell culture-adapted foot-and-mouth disease virus permit novel receptor interactions

Field isolates of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) have a restricted cell tropism which is limited by the need for certain RGD-dependent integrin receptors. In contrast, cell culture-adapted viruses use heparan sulfate (HS) or other unidentified molecules as receptors to initiate infection. Here, we report several novel findings resulting from cell culture adaptation of FMDV. In cell culture, a virus with the capsid of the A/Turkey/2/2006 field isolate gained the ability to infect CHO and HS-deficient CHO cells as a result of a single glutamine (Q)-to-lysine (K) substitution at VP1-110 (VP1-(Q)110(K)). Using site-directed mutagenesis, the introduction of lysine at this same site also resulted in an acquired ability to infect CHO cells by type O and Asia-1 FMDV. However, this ability appeared to require a second positively charged residue at VP1-109. CHO cells express two RGD-binding integrins (α5β1 and αvβ5) that, although not used by FMDV, have the potential to be used as receptors; however, viruses with the VP1-(Q)110(K) substitution did not use these integrins. In contrast, the VP1-(Q)110(K) substitution appeared to result in enhanced interactions with αvβ6, which allowed a virus with KGE in place of the normal RGD integrin-binding motif to use αvβ6 as a receptor. Thus, our results confirmed the existence of nonintegrin, non-HS receptors for FMDV on CHO cells and revealed a novel, non-RGD-dependent use of αvβ6 as a receptor. The introduction of lysine at VP1-110 may allow for cell culture adaptation of FMDV by design, which may prove useful for vaccine manufacture when cell culture adaptation proves intractable.

Mechanisms of foot-and-mouth disease virus tropism inferred from differential tissue gene expression

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) targets specific tissues for primary infection, secondary high-titer replication (e.g. foot and mouth where it causes typical vesicular lesions) and long-term persistence at some primary replication sites. Although integrin αVβ6 receptor has been identified as primary FMDV receptors in animals, their tissue distribution alone fails to explain these highly selective tropism-driven events. Thus, other molecular mechanisms must play roles in determining this tissue specificity. We hypothesized that differences in certain biological activities due to differential gene expression determine FMDV tropism and applied whole genome gene expression profiling to identify genes differentially expressed between FMDV-targeted and non-targeted tissues in terms of supporting primary infection, secondary replication including vesicular lesions, and persistence. Using statistical and bioinformatic tools to analyze the differential gene expression, we identified mechanisms that could explain FMDV tissue tropism based on its association with differential expression of integrin αVβ6 heterodimeric receptor (FMDV receptor), fibronectin (ligand of the receptor), IL-1 cytokines, death receptors and the ligands, and multiple genes in the biological pathways involved in extracellular matrix turnover and interferon signaling found in this study. Our results together with reported findings indicate that differences in (1) FMDV receptor availability and accessibility, (2) type I interferon-inducible immune response, and (3) ability to clear virus infected cells via death receptor signaling play roles in determining FMDV tissue tropism and the additional increase of high extracellular matrix turnover induced by FMDV infection, likely via triggering the signaling of highly expressed IL-1 cytokines, play a key role in the pathogenesis of vesicular lesions.

Induction of partial protection against foot and mouth disease virus in guinea pigs by neutralization with the integrin β6-1 subunit

The mechanism by which the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) initiates infection of cells is thought to involve the attachment of the viral capsid to host integrins on the surface of target cells. However, the role of integrins in FMDV infection still needs to be fully understood, although it has been demonstrated that integrin αvβ6 interferes with FMDV in vitro and results in neutralization of its infectivity. In the present study, we describe the cloning and sequencing of suckling mouse integrin β6 and the subsequent expression of two segments of integrin β6 extracellular domains: β6-1 (which contains the ligand-binding domain) and β6-2. Sequencing of the mouse integrin β6 subunit revealed close homology (~90%) with its human counterpart. When recombinant integrin extracellular domains β6-1 and β6-2 formulated with adjuvant were inoculated into guinea pigs, anti-integrin antibody expression was high before FMDV challenge. Interestingly, guinea pigs (50%) inoculated with integrin β6-1 were protected from FMDV infection; in contrast, none of the animals inoculated with integrin β6-2 were protected. This result indicates that an integrin blockade may be able to interfere with FMDV infection in vivo, which raises the possibility that targeting integrin in vivo may be the basis for a new strategy to control FMDV infection.

A continuous bovine kidney cell line constitutively expressing bovine αvβ6 integrin has increased susceptibility to foot-and-mouth disease virus

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a worldwide problem limiting the trade of animals and their products from affected countries. The rapid isolation, serotyping, and vaccine matching of FMD virus from disease outbreaks is critical for enabling the implementation of effective vaccination programs and to stop the spread of infection during outbreaks. Some primary cells have been shown to be highly susceptible to most strains of FMD virus (FMDV) but are difficult and expensive to prepare and maintain. Since the αVβ6 integrin is a principal receptor for FMDV, we transduced a bovine kidney cell line to stably express both the αV and β6 bovine integrin subunits. This stable cell line (LFBK-αVβ6) showed β6 expression and enhanced susceptibility to FMDV infection for ≥ 100 cell passages. LFBK-αVβ6 cells were highly sensitive for detecting all serotypes of FMDV from experimentally infected animals, including the porcinophilic FMDV strain O/TAW/97. In comparison to other cell types that are currently used for virus isolation, LFBK-αVβ6 cells were more effective at detecting FMDV in clinical samples, supporting their use as a more sensitive tool for virus isolation.

Examination of soluble integrin resistant mutants of foot-and-mouth disease virus

Background

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) initiates infection via recognition of one of at least four cell-surface integrin molecules α_vβ₁, α_vβ₃, α_vβ₆, or α_vβ₈ by a highly conserved Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) amino acid sequence motif located in the G-H loop of VP1. Within the animal host, the α_vβ₆ interaction is believed to be the most relevant. Sub-neutralizing levels of soluble secreted α_vβ₆ (ssα_vβ₆) was used as a selective pressure during passages in vitro to explore the plasticity of that interaction.

Results

Genetically stable soluble integrin resistant (SIR) FMDV mutants derived from A24 Cruzeiro were selected after just 3 passages in cell culture in the presence of sub-neutralizing levels of ssα_vβ₆. SIR mutants were characterized by: replication on selective cell lines, plaque morphology, relative sensitivity to ssα_vβ₆ neutralization, relative ability to utilize α_vβ₆ for infection, as well as sequence and structural changes. All SIR mutants maintained an affinity for α_vβ₆. Some developed the ability to attach to cells expressing heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycan, while others appear to have developed affinity for a still unknown third receptor. Two classes of SIR mutants were selected that were highly or moderately resistant to neutralization by ssα_vβ₆. Highly resistant mutants displayed a G145D substitution (RGD to RDD), while moderately resistant viruses exhibited a L150P/R substitution at the conserved RGD + 4 position. VP1 G-H loop homology models for the A-type SIR mutants illustrated potential structural changes within the integrin-binding motif by these 2 groups of mutations. Treatment of O1 Campos with ssα_vβ₆ resulted in 3 SIR mutants with a positively charged VP3 mutation allowing for HS binding.

Conclusions

These findings illustrate how FMDV particles rapidly gain resistance to soluble receptor prophylactic measures in vitro. Two different serotypes developed distinct capsid mutations to circumvent the presence of sub-neutralizing levels of the soluble cognate receptor, all of which resulted in a modified receptor tropism that expanded the cell types susceptible to FMDV. The identification of some of these adaptive mutations in known FMDV isolates suggests these findings have implications beyond the cell culture system explored in these studies.

The molecular pathways underlying host resistance and tolerance to pathogens

Breeding livestock that are better able to withstand the onslaught of endemic- and exotic pathogens is high on the wish list of breeders and farmers world-wide. However, the defense systems in both pathogens and their hosts are complex and the degree of genetic variation in resistance and tolerance will depend on the trade-offs that they impose on host fitness as well as their life-histories. The genes and pathways underpinning resistance and tolerance traits may be distinct or intertwined as the outcome of any infection is a result of a balance between collateral damage of host tissues and control of the invading pathogen. Genes and molecular pathways associated with resistance are mainly expressed in the mucosal tract and the innate immune system and control the very early events following pathogen invasion. Resistance genes encode receptors involved in uptake of pathogens, as well as pattern recognition receptors (PRR) such as the toll-like receptor family as well as molecules involved in strong and rapid inflammatory responses which lead to rapid pathogen clearance, yet do not lead to immunopathology. In contrast tolerance genes and pathways play a role in reducing immunopathology or enhancing the host's ability to protect against pathogen associated toxins. Candidate tolerance genes may include cytosolic PRRs and unidentified sensors of pathogen growth, perturbation of host metabolism and intrinsic danger or damage associated molecules. In addition, genes controlling regulatory pathways, tissue repair and resolution are also tolerance candidates. The identities of distinct genetic loci for resistance and tolerance to infectious pathogens in livestock species remain to be determined. A better understanding of the mechanisms involved and phenotypes associated with resistance and tolerance should ultimately help to improve livestock health and welfare.

[Early steps of picornavirus infection]

Picornaviridae is a large family of viruses that cause a variety of infectious diseases in humans and animals. It includes important viruses such as poliovirus, hepatisis A virus and foot and mouth disease virus. Early steps of infection play important roles in determining the host range and the target organs for each virus. Here, I review the recent advances in the studies of cellular receptors for picornaviruses, mechanisms of cell entry and viral uncoating.

Insertion of type O-conserved neutralizing epitope into the foot-and-mouth disease virus type Asia1 VP1 G-H loop: effect on viral replication and neutralization phenotype

Previously, we finely mapped the neutralizing epitopes recognized by foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) type Asia1-specific mAb 3E11 and FMDV type O-specific mAb 8E8. In this study, we engineered recombinant FMDVs of the serotype Asia1 (rFMDVs) displaying the type O-neutralizing epitope recognized by the mAb 8E8. These epitope-inserted viruses were genetically stable and exhibited growth properties that were similar to those of their parental virus. Importantly, the recombinant virus rFMDV-C showed neutralization sensitivity to both FMDV type Asia1 and type O mAbs, as well as to polyclonal antibodies. These results indicated that this epitope-inserted virus has the potential to induce neutralizing antibodies against both FMDV type Asia1 and type O. Our results demonstrated that the G-H loop of FMDV type Asia1 effectively displays the protective neutralizing epitopes of other FMDV serotypes, making this an attractive approach for the design of novel FMDV vaccines.

Viral quasispecies evolution

Evolution of RNA viruses occurs through disequilibria of collections of closely related mutant spectra or mutant clouds termed viral quasispecies. Here we review the origin of the quasispecies concept and some biological implications of quasispecies dynamics. Two main aspects are addressed: (i) mutant clouds as reservoirs of phenotypic variants for virus adaptability and (ii) the internal interactions that are established within mutant spectra that render a virus ensemble the unit of selection. The understanding of viruses as quasispecies has led to new antiviral designs, such as lethal mutagenesis, whose aim is to drive viruses toward low fitness values with limited chances of fitness recovery. The impact of quasispecies for three salient human pathogens, human immunodeficiency virus and the hepatitis B and C viruses, is reviewed, with emphasis on antiviral treatment strategies. Finally, extensions of quasispecies to nonviral systems are briefly mentioned to emphasize the broad applicability of quasispecies theory.

Capsid coding sequences of foot-and-mouth disease viruses are determinants of pathogenicity in pigs

The surface exposed capsid proteins, VP1, VP2 and VP3, of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) determine its antigenicity and the ability of the virus to interact with host-cell receptors. Hence, modification of these structural proteins may alter the properties of the virus.In the present study we compared the pathogenicity of different FMDVs in young pigs. In total 32 pigs, 7-weeks-old, were exposed to virus, either by direct inoculation or through contact with inoculated pigs, using cell culture adapted (O1K B64), chimeric (O1K/A-TUR and O1K/O-UKG) or field strain (O-UKG/34/2001) viruses. The O1K B64 virus and the two chimeric viruses are identical to each other except for the capsid coding region.Animals exposed to O1K B64 did not exhibit signs of disease, while pigs exposed to each of the other viruses showed typical clinical signs of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). All pigs infected with the O1K/O-UKG chimera or the field strain (O-UKG/34/2001) developed fulminant disease. Furthermore, 3 of 4 in-contact pigs exposed to the O1K/O-UKG virus died in the acute phase of infection, likely from myocardial infection. However, in the group exposed to the O1K/A-TUR chimeric virus, only 1 pig showed symptoms of disease within the time frame of the experiment (10 days). All pigs that developed clinical disease showed a high level of viral RNA in serum and infected pigs that survived the acute phase of infection developed a serotype specific antibody response. It is concluded that the capsid coding sequences are determinants of FMDV pathogenicity in pigs.

Capsid proteins from field strains of foot-and-mouth disease virus confer a pathogenic phenotype in cattle on an attenuated, cell-culture-adapted virus

Chimeric foot-and-mouth disease viruses (FMDVs) have been generated from plasmids containing full-length FMDV cDNAs and characterized. The parental virus cDNA was derived from the cell-culture-adapted O1Kaufbeuren B64 (O1K B64) strain. Chimeric viruses, containing capsid coding sequences derived from the O/UKG/34/2001 or A/Turkey 2/2006 field viruses, were constructed using the backbone from the O1K B64 cDNA, and viable viruses (O1K/O-UKG and O1K/A-Tur, respectively) were successfully rescued in each case. These viruses grew well in primary bovine thyroid cells but grew less efficiently in BHK cells than the rescued parental O1K B64 virus. The two chimeric viruses displayed the expected antigenicity in serotype-specific antigen ELISAs. Following inoculation of each virus into cattle, the rescued O1K B64 strain proved to be attenuated whereas, with each chimeric virus, typical clinical signs of foot-and-mouth disease were observed, which then spread to in-contact animals. Thus, the surface-exposed capsid proteins of the O1K B64 strain are responsible for its attenuation in cattle. Consequently, there is no evidence for any adaptation, acquired during cell culture, outside the capsid coding region within the O1K B64 strain that inhibits replication in cattle. These chimeric infectious cDNA plasmids provide a basis for the analysis of FMDV pathogenicity and characterization of receptor utilization in vivo.

Foot-and-mouth disease virus exhibits an altered tropism in the presence of specific immunoglobulins, enabling productive infection and killing of dendritic cells

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) causes an acute vesicular disease of farm animals. The development of successful control strategies is limited by an incomplete understanding of the immune response to FMDV. Dendritic cells (DC) mediate the induction of immunity to pathogens, but their role in FMDV infection of cattle is uncharacterized. Bovine monocyte-derived DC (moDC) were exposed to integrin-binding and cell culture-adapted strains of FMDV in vitro. MoDC were not largely susceptible to infection by integrin-binding FMDV but were susceptible to culture-adapted virus. Binding specific antibodies to integrin-binding FMDV at neutralizing or subneutralizing IgG concentrations significantly enhanced infection via CD32 (FcγR). Monocytes also expressed CD32 but were nonsusceptible to FMDV immune complex (IC) infection, indicating a requirement for additional factors involved in cellular susceptibility. Infection of moDC by the FMDV IC was productive and associated with high levels of cell death. Infected moDC were unable to efficiently stimulate FMDV-specific CD4(+) memory T cells, but exposing moDC to IC containing inactivated FMDV resulted in significantly increased T cell stimulation. Thus, neutralized FMDV concurrently loses its ability to infect susceptible cells while gaining the capacity to infect immune cells. This represents a change in the tropism of FMDV that could occur after the onset of the antibody response. We propose that IC could dynamically influence the anti-FMDV immune response and that this may explain why the early immune response to FMDV has evolved toward T cell independence in vivo. Moreover, we propose that DC targeting could prove useful in the development of effective vaccines against FMDV.

Quantitative trait loci for variation in immune response to a Foot-and-Mouth Disease virus peptide

Background

Infectious disease of livestock continues to be a cause of substantial economic loss and has adverse welfare consequences in both the developing and developed world. New solutions to control disease are needed and research focused on the genetic loci determining variation in immune-related traits has the potential to deliver solutions. However, identifying selectable markers and the causal genes involved in disease resistance and vaccine response is not straightforward. The aims of this study were to locate regions of the bovine genome that control the immune response post immunisation. 195 F2 and backcross Holstein Charolais cattle were immunised with a 40-mer peptide derived from foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). T cell and antibody (IgG1 and IgG2) responses were measured at several time points post immunisation. All experimental animals (F0, F1 and F2, n = 982) were genotyped with 165 microsatellite markers for the genome scan.

Results

Considerable variability in the immune responses across time was observed and sire, dam and age had significant effects on responses at specific time points. There were significant correlations within traits across time, and between IgG1 and IgG2 traits, also some weak correlations were detected between T cell and IgG2 responses. The whole genome scan detected 77 quantitative trait loci (QTL), on 22 chromosomes, including clusters of QTL on BTA 4, 5, 6, 20, 23 and 25. Two QTL reached 5% genome wide significance (on BTA 6 and 24) and one on BTA 20 reached 1% genome wide significance.

Conclusions

A proportion of the variance in the T cell and antibody response post immunisation with an FDMV peptide has a genetic component. Even though the antigen was relatively simple, the humoral and cell mediated responses were clearly under complex genetic control, with the majority of QTL located outside the MHC locus. The results suggest that there may be specific genes or loci that impact on variation in both the primary and secondary immune responses, whereas other loci may be specifically important for early or later phases of the immune response. Future fine mapping of the QTL clusters identified has the potential to reveal the causal variations underlying the variation in immune response observed.

High-resolution in vivo imaging of breast cancer by targeting the pro-invasive integrin alphavbeta6

The integrin alphavbeta6 is expressed only on epithelia and then usually only during processes of tissue remodelling including cancer, where its high expression correlates with reduced survival. Thus, alphavbeta6 represents an important target for imaging and therapy of cancer and new molecular-specific targeting agents are required. We have developed A20FMDV2, a peptide derived from the VP1 coat protein of foot-and-mouth-disease virus that binds specifically and stably to alphavbeta6. Using a newly generated pair of isogenic human cell lines that differ only in alphavbeta6 expression, it was shown, using biodistribution and SPECT imaging, that indium-111-labelled A20FMDV2 locates specifically to alphavbeta6-expressing tissues in vivo, achieving at least seven-times higher retention in alphavbeta6-positive than in alphavbeta6-negative tumours. In further studies with MCF10.DCIS.COM and MCF10A.CA1a breast carcinoma cell lines, which express alphavbeta6 endogenously, the radiopeptide achieved similar levels of tumour retention and permitted excellent discriminatory imaging of tumours. Thus, A20FMDV2 can be used for molecular-specific targeting of alphavbeta6 for imaging in vivo the often more aggressive, alphavbeta6-positive cancers. In the future, A20FMDV2 could serve also to deliver therapy to these same cancers.

Modelling foot-and-mouth disease virus dynamics in oral epithelium to help identify the determinants of lysis

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) causes an economically important disease of cloven-hoofed livestock; of interest here is the difference in lytic behaviour that is observed in bovine epithelium. On the skin around the feet and tongue, the virus rapidly replicates, killing cells, and resulting in growing lesions, before eventually being cleared by the immune response. In contrast, there is usually minimal lysis in the soft palate, but virus may persist in tissue long after the animal has recovered from the disease. Persistence of virus has important implications for disease control, while identifying the determinant of lysis in epithelium is potentially important for the development of prophylactics. To help identify which of the differences between oral and pharyngeal epithelium are responsible for such dramatically divergent FMDV dynamics, a simple model has been developed, in which virus concentration is made explicit to allow the lytic behaviour of cells to be fully considered. Results suggest that localised structuring of what are fundamentally similar cells can induce a bifurcation in the behaviour of the system, explicitly whether infection can be sustained or results in mutual extinction, although parameter estimates indicate that more complex factors may be involved in maintaining viral persistence, or that there are as yet unquantified differences between the intrinsic properties of cells in these regions.

Foot-and-mouth disease virus replicates only transiently in well-differentiated porcine nasal epithelial cells

Three-dimensional (3D) porcine nasal mucosal and tracheal mucosal epithelial cell cultures were developed to analyze foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) interactions with mucosal epithelial cells. The cells in these cultures differentiated and polarized until they closely resemble the epithelial layers seen in vivo. FMDV infected these cultures predominantly from the apical side, primarily by binding to integrin alphav beta6, in an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-dependent manner. However, FMDV replicated only transiently without any visible cytopathic effect (CPE), and infectious progeny virus could be recovered only from the apical side. The infection induced the production of beta interferon (IFN-beta) and the IFN-inducible gene Mx1 mRNA, which coincided with the disappearance of viral RNA and progeny virus. The induction of IFN-beta mRNA correlated with the antiviral activity of the supernatants from both the apical and basolateral compartments. IFN-alpha mRNA was constitutively expressed in nasal mucosal epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo. In addition, FMDV infection induced interleukin 8 (IL-8) protein, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and RANTES mRNA in the infected epithelial cells, suggesting that it plays an important role in modulating the immune response.