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Giessler KS, Goehring LS, Jacob SI, Davis A, Esser MM, Lee Y, Zarski LM, Weber PSD, Hussey GS. Impact of the host immune response on the development of equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy in horses. J Gen Virol 2024; 105:001987. [PMID: 38767608 PMCID: PMC11170125 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Herpesviruses establish a well-adapted balance with their host's immune system. Despite this co-evolutionary balance, infections can lead to severe disease including neurological disorders in their natural host. In horses, equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) causes respiratory disease, abortions, neonatal foal death and myeloencephalopathy (EHM) in ~10 % of acute infections worldwide. Many aspects of EHM pathogenesis and protection from EHM are still poorly understood. However, it has been shown that the incidence of EHM increases to >70 % in female horses >20 years of age. In this study we used old mares as an experimental equine EHV-1 model of EHM to identify host-specific factors contributing to EHM. Following experimental infection with the neuropathogenic strain EHV-1 Ab4, old mares and yearling horses were studied for 21 days post-infection. Nasal viral shedding and cell-associated viremia were assessed by quantitative PCR. Cytokine/chemokine responses were evaluated in nasal secretions and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by Luminex assay and in whole blood by quantitative real-time PCR. EHV-1-specific IgG sub-isotype responses were measured by ELISA. All young horses developed respiratory disease and a bi-phasic fever post-infection, but only 1/9 horses exhibited ataxia. In contrast, respiratory disease was absent in old mares, but all old mares developed EHM that resulted in euthanasia in 6/9 old mares. Old mares also presented significantly decreased nasal viral shedding but higher viremia coinciding with a single fever peak at the onset of viremia. According to clinical disease manifestation, horses were sorted into an EHM group (nine old horses and one young horse) and a non-EHM group (eight young horses) for assessment of host immune responses. Non-EHM horses showed an early upregulation of IFN-α (nasal secretions), IRF7/IRF9, IL-1β, CXCL10 and TBET (blood) in addition to an IFN-γ upregulation during viremia (blood). In contrast, IFN-α levels in nasal secretions of EHM horses were low and peak levels of IRF7, IRF9, CXCL10 and TGF-β (blood) coincided with viremia. Moreover, EHM horses showed significantly higher IL-10 levels in nasal secretions, peripheral blood mononuclear cells and CSF and higher serum IgG3/5 antibody titres compared to non-EHM horses. These results suggest that protection from EHM depends on timely induction of type 1 IFN and upregulation cytokines and chemokines that are representative of cellular immunity. In contrast, induction of regulatory or TH-2 type immunity appeared to correlate with an increased risk for EHM. It is likely that future vaccine development for protection from EHM must target shifting this 'at-risk' immunophenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. S. Giessler
- Department of Pathobiology & Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - L. S. Goehring
- MH Gluck Equine Research Center, College of Agriculture, Food & Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - S. I. Jacob
- Department of Pathobiology & Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Allison Davis
- Department of Pathobiology & Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - M. M. Esser
- Department of Pathobiology & Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Y. Lee
- Pathology Core, Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - L. M. Zarski
- Department of Pathobiology & Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - P. S. D. Weber
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - G. S. Hussey
- Department of Pathobiology & Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
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2
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Hussey GS, Giessler KS. Contribution of the immune response to the pathogenesis of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1): Are there immune correlates that predict increased risk or protection from EHV-1 myeloencephalopathy? Vet J 2022; 282:105827. [PMID: 35405348 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2022.105827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) myeloencephalopathy (EHM) is a devastating consequence of EHV-1 infection that has significant economic consequences. However, clinical EHM is relatively rare and occurs in only approximately 10% of infected horses. While there is a positive correlation between the duration and magnitude of viremia and incidence of EHM, it is likely that a combination of host and viral factors determine whether EHM occurs. The identification of these factors is of high interest for the equine community and has been the topic of much research for vaccine development and to predict which horses might be most at risk for developing EHM. The aim of this review is to highlight host immunity contributions to EHM pathogenesis at different sites of EHV-1 infection to shed light on the different aspects and interdependence of the response to EHV-1 in the time course of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisela Soboll Hussey
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing MI 48824, USA.
| | - Kim S Giessler
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing MI 48824, USA
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3
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Mesquita LP, Costa RC, Mesquita LLR, Lara MDCCSH, Villalobos EMC, Mori CMC, Mori E, Howerth EW, Maiorka PC. Pathogenesis of Equid Alphaherpesvirus 1 Infection in the Central Nervous System of Mice. Vet Pathol 2021; 58:1075-1085. [PMID: 34128432 DOI: 10.1177/03009858211020670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Equid alphaherpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) causes myeloencephalopathy in horses and occasionally in non-equid species. Although mouse models have been developed to understand EHV-1 pathogenesis, few EHV-1 strains have been identified as highly neurovirulent to mice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pathogenesis of 2 neurovirulent EHV-1 strains in mice, and to characterize the inflammatory cells and expression of chemokines and the apoptosis marker caspase-3 in the brain of infected mice. C57BL/6J mice were inoculated intranasally with EHV-1 strains A4/72 or A9/92 and evaluated on 1, 2, and 3 days post inoculation (DPI). EHV-1-infected mice showed severe neurological signs at 3 DPI. Ultrastructural analysis revealed numerous viral nucleocapsids and fewer enveloped virions within degenerated and necrotic neurons and in the surrounding neuropil. Histologically, at 3 DPI, there was severe diffuse neuronal degeneration and liquefactive necrosis, prominent microgliosis, and perivascular cuffing composed of CD3+ cells (T cells) and Iba-1+ cells (macrophages), mainly in the olfactory bulb and ventral portions of the brain. In these areas, moderate numbers of neuroglial cells expressed CCL5 and CCL2 chemokines. Numerous neurons, including those in less affected areas, were immunolabeled for cleaved caspase-3. In conclusion, neurovirulent EHV-1 strains induced a fulminant necrotizing lymphohistiocytic meningoencephalitis in mice, with microgliosis and expression of chemokines and caspase-3. This model will be useful for understanding the mechanisms underlying the extensive neuropathology induced by these viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo P Mesquita
- 28133University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- 1355University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Enio Mori
- 27058Pasteur Institute, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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4
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Zarski LM, Vaala WE, Barnett DC, Bain FT, Soboll Hussey G. A Live-Attenuated Equine Influenza Vaccine Stimulates Innate Immunity in Equine Respiratory Epithelial Cell Cultures That Could Provide Protection From Equine Herpesvirus 1. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:674850. [PMID: 34179166 PMCID: PMC8224402 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.674850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) ubiquitously infects horses worldwide and causes respiratory disease, abortion, and equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy. Protection against EHV-1 disease is elusive due to establishment of latency and immune-modulatory features of the virus. These include the modulation of interferons, cytokines, chemokines, antigen presentation, and cellular immunity. Because the modulation of immunity likely occurs at the site of first infection—the respiratory epithelium, we hypothesized that the mucosal influenza vaccine Flu Avert® I.N. (Flu Avert), which is known to stimulate strong antiviral responses, will enhance antiviral innate immunity, and that these responses would also provide protection from EHV-1 infection. To test our hypothesis, primary equine respiratory epithelial cells (ERECs) were treated with Flu Avert, and innate immunity was evaluated for 10 days following treatment. The timing of Flu Avert treatment was also evaluated for optimal effectiveness to reduce EHV-1 replication by modulating early immune responses to EHV-1. The induction of interferons, cytokine and chemokine mRNA expression, and protein secretion was evaluated by high-throughput qPCR and multiplex protein analysis. Intracellular and extracellular EHV-1 titers were determined by qPCR. Flu Avert treatment resulted in the modulation of IL-8, CCL2, and CXCL9 starting at days 5 and 6 post-treatment. Coinciding with the timing of optimal chemokine induction, our data also suggested the same timing for reduction of EHV-1 replication. In combination, our results suggest that Flu Avert may be effective at counteracting some of the immune-modulatory properties of EHV-1 at the airway epithelium and the peak for this response occurs 5–8 days post-Flu Avert treatment. Future in vivo studies are needed to investigate Flu Avert as a prophylactic in situations where EHV-1 exposure may occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lila M Zarski
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Medical Center, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | | | | | | | - Gisela Soboll Hussey
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Medical Center, East Lansing, MI, United States
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5
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Larson EM, Wagner B. Viral infection and allergy - What equine immune responses can tell us about disease severity and protection. Mol Immunol 2021; 135:329-341. [PMID: 33975251 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2021.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Horses have many naturally occurring diseases that mimic similar conditions in humans. The ability to conduct environmentally controlled experiments and induced disease studies in a genetically diverse host makes the horse a valuable intermediate model between mouse studies and human clinical trials. This review highlights important similarities in the immune landscape between horses and humans using current research on two equine diseases as examples. First, equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) infection initiates a series of innate inflammatory signals at its mucosal entry site in the upper respiratory tract. These inflammatory markers are highly synchronized and predictable between individuals during viral respiratory infection and ultimately lead to adaptive immune induction and protection. The timing of early inflammatory signals, followed by specific adaptive immune markers correlating with immunity and protection, allow accurate outbreak tracking and also provide a foundation for understanding the importance of local mucosal immunity during other viral respiratory infections. Second, rare peripheral blood immune cells that promote allergic inflammation can be analyzed during Culicoides hypersensitivity, a naturally occurring type I IgE-mediated allergic disease of horses. Rare immune cells, such as IgE-binding monocytes or basophils, can be studied repeatedly in the horse model to unravel their larger mechanistic role in inflammation during allergic and other inflammatory diseases. We conclude with a survey of all other common equine inflammatory conditions. Together, this review serves as a reference and rationale for the horse as a non-rodent model for immunological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth M Larson
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, United States
| | - Bettina Wagner
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, United States.
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6
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Laval K, Poelaert KCK, Van Cleemput J, Zhao J, Vandekerckhove AP, Gryspeerdt AC, Garré B, van der Meulen K, Baghi HB, Dubale HN, Zarak I, Van Crombrugge E, Nauwynck HJ. The Pathogenesis and Immune Evasive Mechanisms of Equine Herpesvirus Type 1. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:662686. [PMID: 33746936 PMCID: PMC7970122 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.662686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) is an alphaherpesvirus related to pseudorabies virus (PRV) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV). This virus is one of the major pathogens affecting horses worldwide. EHV-1 is responsible for respiratory disorders, abortion, neonatal foal death and equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM). Over the last decade, EHV-1 has received growing attention due to the frequent outbreaks of abortions and/or EHM causing serious economical losses to the horse industry worldwide. To date, there are no effective antiviral drugs and current vaccines do not provide full protection against EHV-1-associated diseases. Therefore, there is an urgent need to gain a better understanding of the pathogenesis of EHV-1 in order to develop effective therapies. The main objective of this review is to provide state-of-the-art information on the pathogenesis of EHV-1. We also highlight recent findings on EHV-1 immune evasive strategies at the level of the upper respiratory tract, blood circulation and endothelium of target organs allowing the virus to disseminate undetected in the host. Finally, we discuss novel approaches for drug development based on our current knowledge of the pathogenesis of EHV-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathlyn Laval
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Katrien C K Poelaert
- Division of Virology, Department Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jolien Van Cleemput
- HIV Cure Research Center, Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University and Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jing Zhao
- Shenzhen International Institute for Biomedical Research, Shenzhen, China
| | | | | | | | | | - Hossein B Baghi
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Haileleul N Dubale
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
| | - Ines Zarak
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Eline Van Crombrugge
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Hans J Nauwynck
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
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7
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Mesquita LP, Costa RC, Zanatto DA, Bruhn FRP, Mesquita LLR, Lara MCCSH, Villalobos EMC, Massoco CO, Mori CMC, Mori E, Maiorka PC. Equine herpesvirus 1 elicits a strong pro-inflammatory response in the brain of mice. J Gen Virol 2021; 102. [PMID: 33528354 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) is an emerging pathogen that causes encephalomyelitis in horses and non-equid species. Several aspects of the immune response in the central nervous system (CNS), mainly regarding the role of inflammatory mediators during EHV-1 encephalitis, remain unknown. Moreover, understanding the mechanisms underlying extensive neuropathology induced by viruses would be helpful to establish therapeutic strategies. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate some aspects of the innate immune response during highly neurovirulent EHV-1 infection. C57BL/6 mice infected intranasally with A4/72 and A9/92 EHV-1 strains developed a fulminant neurological disease at 3 days post-inoculation with high viral titres in the brain. These mice developed severe encephalitis with infiltration of monocytes and CD8+ T cells to the brain. The inflammatory infiltrate followed the detection of the chemokines CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, CXCL2, CXCL9 and CXCL-10 in the brain. Notably, the levels of CCL3, CCL4, CCL5 and CXCL9 were higher in A4/72-infected mice, which presented higher numbers of inflammatory cells within the CNS. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukins (ILs) IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12β, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF), were also detected in the CNS, and Toll-like receptor (TLR) TLR2, TLR3 and TLR9 genes were also upregulated within the brain of EHV-1-infected mice. However, no expression of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and IL-12α, which are important for controlling the replication of other herpesviruses, was detected in EHV-1-infected mice. The results show that the activated innate immune mechanisms could not prevent EHV-1 replication within the CNS, but most likely contributed to the extensive neuropathology. The mouse model of viral encephalitis proposed here will also be useful to study the mechanisms underlying extensive neuropathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo P Mesquita
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Professor Dr Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo, SP, 5508-010, Brazil
| | - Rafael C Costa
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Professor Dr Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo, SP, 5508-010, Brazil
| | - Dennis A Zanatto
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Professor Dr Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo, SP, 5508-010, Brazil
| | - Fábio R P Bruhn
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Pelotas, Campus Universitário, Capão do Leão, Rio Grande do Sul, RS, 96160-000, Brazil
| | - Laís L R Mesquita
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Professor Dr Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo, SP, 5508-010, Brazil
| | - M C C S H Lara
- Biological Institute, Av. Conselheiro Rodrigues Alves, 1252, São Paulo, SP, 04014-002, Brazil
| | - E M C Villalobos
- Biological Institute, Av. Conselheiro Rodrigues Alves, 1252, São Paulo, SP, 04014-002, Brazil
| | - Cristina O Massoco
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Professor Dr Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo, SP, 5508-010, Brazil
| | - Claudia M C Mori
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Professor Dr Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo, SP, 5508-010, Brazil
| | - Enio Mori
- Pasteur Institute, Av. Paulista, 393, São Paulo, SP, 01311-000, Brazil
| | - Paulo C Maiorka
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Professor Dr Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo, SP, 5508-010, Brazil
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8
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Pavulraj S, Kamel M, Stephanowitz H, Liu F, Plendl J, Osterrieder N, Azab W. Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 Modulates Cytokine and Chemokine Profiles of Mononuclear Cells for Efficient Dissemination to Target Organs. Viruses 2020; 12:v12090999. [PMID: 32911663 PMCID: PMC7551999 DOI: 10.3390/v12090999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) causes encephalomyelopathy and abortion, for which cell-associated viremia and subsequent virus transfer to and replication in endothelial cells (EC) are responsible and prerequisites. Viral and cellular molecules responsible for efficient cell-to-cell spread of EHV-1 between peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and EC remain unclear. We have generated EHV-1 mutants lacking ORF1, ORF2, and ORF17 genes, either individually or in combination. Mutant viruses were analyzed for their replication properties in cultured equine dermal cells, PBMC infection efficiency, virus-induced changes in the PBMC proteome, and cytokine and chemokine expression profiles. ORF1, ORF2, and ORF17 are not essential for virus replication, but ORF17 deletion resulted in a significant reduction in plaque size. Deletion of ORF2 and ORF17 gene significantly reduced cell-to-cell virus transfer from virus-infected PBMC to EC. EHV-1 infection of PBMC resulted in upregulation of several pathways such as Ras signaling, oxidative phosphorylation, platelet activation and leukocyte transendothelial migration. In contrast, chemokine signaling, RNA degradation and apoptotic pathways were downregulated. Deletion of ORF1, ORF2 and ORF17 modulated chemokine signaling and MAPK pathways in infected PBMC, which may explain the impairment of virus spread between PBMC and EC. The proteomic results were further confirmed by chemokine assays, which showed that virus infection dramatically reduced the cytokine/chemokine release in infected PBMC. This study uncovers cellular proteins and pathways influenced by EHV-1 after PBMC infection and provide an important resource for EHV-1 pathogenesis. EHV-1-immunomodulatory genes could be potential targets for the development of live attenuated vaccines or therapeutics against virus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selvaraj Pavulraj
- Institut für Virologie, Robert von Ostertag-Haus, Zentrum für Infektionsmedizin, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Straße 7-13, 14163 Berlin, Germany; (S.P.); (M.K.); (N.O.)
| | - Mohamed Kamel
- Institut für Virologie, Robert von Ostertag-Haus, Zentrum für Infektionsmedizin, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Straße 7-13, 14163 Berlin, Germany; (S.P.); (M.K.); (N.O.)
- Department of Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, 12211 Cairo, Egypt
| | - Heike Stephanowitz
- Leibniz Institute of Molecular Pharmacology (FMP Berlin), Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany; (H.S.); (F.L.)
| | - Fan Liu
- Leibniz Institute of Molecular Pharmacology (FMP Berlin), Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany; (H.S.); (F.L.)
| | - Johanna Plendl
- Institut für Veterinäranatomie, Freie Universität Berlin, Koserstraße 20, 14195 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Nikolaus Osterrieder
- Institut für Virologie, Robert von Ostertag-Haus, Zentrum für Infektionsmedizin, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Straße 7-13, 14163 Berlin, Germany; (S.P.); (M.K.); (N.O.)
| | - Walid Azab
- Institut für Virologie, Robert von Ostertag-Haus, Zentrum für Infektionsmedizin, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Straße 7-13, 14163 Berlin, Germany; (S.P.); (M.K.); (N.O.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-30-838-50087
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9
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Poelaert KCK, Van Cleemput J, Laval K, Xie J, Favoreel HW, Nauwynck HJ. Equine herpesvirus 1 infection orchestrates the expression of chemokines in equine respiratory epithelial cells. J Gen Virol 2020; 100:1567-1579. [PMID: 31490114 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The ancestral equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV1), closely related to human herpes viruses, exploits leukocytes to reach its target organs, accordingly evading the immune surveillance system. Circulating EHV1 strains can be divided into abortigenic/neurovirulent, causing reproductive/neurological disorders. Neurovirulent EHV1 more efficiently recruits monocytic CD172a+ cells to the upper respiratory tract (URT), while abortigenic EHV1 tempers monocyte migration. Whether similar results could be expected for T lymphocytes is not known. Therefore, we questioned whether differences in T cell recruitment could be associated with variations in cell tropism between both EHV1 phenotypes, and which viral proteins might be involved. The expression of CXCL9 and CXCL10 was evaluated in abortigenic/neurovirulent EHV1-inoculated primary respiratory epithelial cells (ERECs). The bioactivity of chemokines was tested with a functional migration assay. Replication of neurovirulent EHV1 in the URT resulted in an enhanced expression/bioactivity of CXCL9 and CXCL10, compared to abortigenic EHV1. Interestingly, deletion of glycoprotein 2 resulted in an increased recruitment of both monocytic CD172a+ cells and T lymphocytes to the corresponding EREC supernatants. Our data reveal a novel function of EHV1-gp2, tempering leukocyte migration to the URT, further indicating a sophisticated virus-mediated orchestration of leukocyte recruitment to the URT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrien C K Poelaert
- Department of Virology, Immunology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Jolien Van Cleemput
- Department of Molecular Biology 301 Schultz Laboratory, Princeton University Washington Rd, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA.,Department of Virology, Immunology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Kathlyn Laval
- Department of Molecular Biology 301 Schultz Laboratory, Princeton University Washington Rd, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Jiexiong Xie
- Department of Virology, Immunology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Herman W Favoreel
- Department of Virology, Immunology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Hans J Nauwynck
- Department of Virology, Immunology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
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10
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Perkins G, Babasyan S, Stout AE, Freer H, Rollins A, Wimer CL, Wagner B. Intranasal IgG4/7 antibody responses protect horses against equid herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) infection including nasal virus shedding and cell-associated viremia. Virology 2019; 531:219-232. [PMID: 30928700 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2019.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Equid herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) outbreaks continue despite widely used vaccination. We demonstrated previously that an ORF1/ORF71 gene deletion mutant of the EHV-1 strain Ab4 (Ab4ΔORF1/71) is less virulent than its parent Ab4 virus. Here, we describe the Ab4 challenge infection evaluating protection induced by the Ab4ΔORF1/71 vaccine candidate. Susceptible control horses developed respiratory disease, fever, nasal shedding, and viremia. Full protection after challenge infection was observed in 5/5 previously Ab4 infected horses and 3/5 Ab4ΔORF1/71 horses. Two Ab4ΔORF1/71 horses developed short-lasting viremia and/or virus shedding. Protective immunity in the respiratory tract was characterized by pre-existing EHV-1-specific IgG4/7 antibodies, the absence of IFN-α secretion and rapidly increasing IgG4/7 upon challenge infection. Pre-existing systemic EHV-1-specific IgG4/7 highly correlated with protection. T-cell immunity was overall low. In conclusion, protective immunity against EHV-1 infection including prevention of viremia was associated with robust systemic and intranasal IgG4/7 antibodies suggesting immediate virus neutralization at the local site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gillian Perkins
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States.
| | - Susanna Babasyan
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States.
| | - Alison E Stout
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States.
| | - Heather Freer
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States.
| | - Alicia Rollins
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States.
| | - Christine L Wimer
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States.
| | - Bettina Wagner
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States.
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Equine Herpesvirus 1 Bridles T Lymphocytes To Reach Its Target Organs. J Virol 2019; 93:JVI.02098-18. [PMID: 30651370 PMCID: PMC6430527 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02098-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV1) is an ancestral alphaherpesvirus that is related to herpes simplex virus 1 and causes respiratory, reproductive, and neurological disorders in Equidae. EHV1 is indisputably a master at exploiting leukocytes to reach its target organs, accordingly evading the host immunity. However, the role of T lymphocytes in cell-associated viremia remains poorly understood. Here we show that activated T lymphocytes efficiently become infected and support viral replication despite the presence of protective immunity. We demonstrate a restricted expression of viral proteins on the surfaces of infected T cells, which prevents immune recognition. In addition, we indicate a hampered release of progeny, which results in the accumulation of nucleocapsids in the T cell nucleus. Upon engagement with the target endothelium, late viral proteins orchestrate viral synapse formation and viral transfer to the contact cell. Our findings have significant implications for the understanding of EHV1 pathogenesis, which is essential for developing innovative therapies to prevent the devastating clinical symptoms of infection. Equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV1) replicates in the respiratory epithelium and disseminates through the body via a cell-associated viremia in leukocytes, despite the presence of neutralizing antibodies. “Hijacked” leukocytes, previously identified as monocytic cells and T lymphocytes, transmit EHV1 to endothelial cells of the endometrium or central nervous system, causing reproductive (abortigenic variants) or neurological (neurological variants) disorders. In the present study, we questioned the potential route of EHV1 infection of T lymphocytes and how EHV1 misuses T lymphocytes as a vehicle to reach the endothelium of the target organs in the absence or presence of immune surveillance. Viral replication was evaluated in activated and quiescent primary T lymphocytes, and the results demonstrated increased infection of activated versus quiescent, CD4+ versus CD8+, and blood- versus lymph node-derived T cells. Moreover, primarily infected respiratory epithelial cells and circulating monocytic cells efficiently transferred virions to T lymphocytes in the presence of neutralizing antibodies. Albeit T-lymphocytes express all classes of viral proteins early in infection, the expression of viral glycoproteins on their cell surface was restricted. In addition, the release of viral progeny was hampered, resulting in the accumulation of viral nucleocapsids in the T cell nucleus. During contact of infected T lymphocytes with endothelial cells, a late viral protein(s) orchestrates T cell polarization and synapse formation, followed by anterograde dynein-mediated transport and transfer of viral progeny to the engaged cell. This represents a sophisticated but efficient immune evasion strategy to allow transfer of progeny virus from T lymphocytes to adjacent target cells. These results demonstrate that T lymphocytes are susceptible to EHV1 infection and that cell-cell contact transmits infectious virus to and from T lymphocytes. IMPORTANCE Equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV1) is an ancestral alphaherpesvirus that is related to herpes simplex virus 1 and causes respiratory, reproductive, and neurological disorders in Equidae. EHV1 is indisputably a master at exploiting leukocytes to reach its target organs, accordingly evading the host immunity. However, the role of T lymphocytes in cell-associated viremia remains poorly understood. Here we show that activated T lymphocytes efficiently become infected and support viral replication despite the presence of protective immunity. We demonstrate a restricted expression of viral proteins on the surfaces of infected T cells, which prevents immune recognition. In addition, we indicate a hampered release of progeny, which results in the accumulation of nucleocapsids in the T cell nucleus. Upon engagement with the target endothelium, late viral proteins orchestrate viral synapse formation and viral transfer to the contact cell. Our findings have significant implications for the understanding of EHV1 pathogenesis, which is essential for developing innovative therapies to prevent the devastating clinical symptoms of infection.
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Poelaert KCK, Van Cleemput J, Laval K, Favoreel HW, Soboll Hussey G, Maes RK, Nauwynck HJ. Abortigenic but Not Neurotropic Equine Herpes Virus 1 Modulates the Interferon Antiviral Defense. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:312. [PMID: 30258819 PMCID: PMC6144955 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV1) is considered as a major pathogen of Equidae, causing symptoms from mild respiratory disease to late-term abortion and neurological disorders. Different EHV1 strains circulating in the field have been characterized to be of abortigenic or neurovirulent phenotype. Both variants replicate in a plaque-wise manner in the epithelium of the upper respiratory tract (URT), where the abortigenic strains induce more prominent viral plaques, compared to the neurovirulent strains. Considering the differences in replication at the URT, we hypothesized that abortigenic strains may show an increased ability to modulate the type I IFN secretion/signaling pathway, compared to strains that display the neurovirulent phenotype. Here, we analyze IFN levels induced by abortigenic and neurovirulent EHV1 using primary respiratory epithelial cells (EREC) and respiratory mucosa ex vivo explants. Similar levels of IFNα (~70 U/ml) were detected in explants inoculated with both types of EHV1 strains from 48 to 72 hpi. Second, EREC and mucosa explants were treated with recombinant equine IFNα (rEqIFNα) or Ruxolitinib (Rux), an IFN signaling inhibitor, prior to and during inoculation with abortigenic or neurovirulent EHV1. Replication of both EHV1 variants was suppressed by rEqIFNα. Further, addition of Rux increased replication in a concentration-dependent manner, indicating an IFN-susceptibility for both variants. However, in two out of three horses, at a physiological concentration of 100 U/ml of rEqIFNα, an increase in abortigenic EHV1 replication was observed compared to 10 U/ml of rEqIFNα, which was not observed for the neurovirulent strains. Moreover, in the presence of Rux, the plaque size of the abortigenic variants remained unaltered, whereas the typically smaller viral plaques induced by the neurovirulent variants became larger. Overall, our results demonstrate the importance of IFNα in the control of EHV1 replication in the URT for both abortigenic and neurovirulent variants. In addition, our findings support the speculation that abortigenic variants of EHV1 may have developed anti-IFN mechanisms that appear to be absent or less pronounced in neurovirulent EHV1 strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrien C K Poelaert
- Department of Virology, Immunology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Jolien Van Cleemput
- Department of Virology, Immunology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Kathlyn Laval
- Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, United States
| | - Herman W Favoreel
- Department of Virology, Immunology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Gisela Soboll Hussey
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Roger K Maes
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Hans J Nauwynck
- Department of Virology, Immunology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
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