The novel ORFV protein ORFV113 activates LPA-p38 signaling

ORF virus causes tumor-promoting inflammation in sheep and goats

ORF virus (ORFV) causes contagious ecthyma ("ORF"), a disease of sheep and goats characterized by lesions ranging from vesicles and pustules to atypical papilloma-like and angiomatous lesions in the skin and mucosae. The authors investigated the molecular factors leading to the ORF-associated atypical tumor-like changes. Fifteen lambs, 15 kids, and an adult ram clinically affected by natural ORFV infection were enrolled in the study and examined by several methods. ORFV was detected by viral culture or real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in the lesioned tissues and in the blood of the clinically affected sheep and goats. Surprisingly, ORFV was also detected in the blood of healthy goats from an affected herd. Microscopically, they found a pseudo-papillomatous proliferation of the epithelium, while the dermis and lamina propria were expanded by a proliferating neovascular component that highly expressed the viral vascular endothelial growth factor (vVEGF) and its host receptor vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2). Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and in situ hybridization for mRNA showed that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was expressed in the fibrovascular component, in the infiltrating CD163+ macrophages, and in the basal stratum of the epidermis. Confocal immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrated that CD163+ macrophages were associated with VEGF and VEGFR2. Finally, they found by quantitative RT-PCR the overexpression of the interleukin-6 and VEGFR2 genes in the lesioned tissues. These findings suggest that ORFV activates an inflammatory reaction characterized by CD163+ macrophages expressing EGFR and VEGFR2, which might play an oncogenic role through synergistic action with vVEGF signaling.

Parapoxvirus species revisited by whole genome sequencing: A retrospective analysis of bovine virus isolates

Parapoxviruses (PPV) of animals are spread worldwide. While the Orf virus (ORFV) species is a molecularly well-characterized prototype pathogen of small ruminants, the genomes of virus species affecting large ruminants, namely Bovine papular stomatitis virus (BPSV) and Pseudocowpox virus (PCPV), are less well known. Using Nanopore sequencing we retrospectively show the whole genome sequences (WGS) of six BPSV, three PCPV isolates and an attenuated ORFV strain, originating from different geographic locations. A phylogenetic tree shows that the de novo assembled genomes belong to PPV species including WGS of reference PPV. Remarkably, Nanopore sequencing allowed the molecular resolution of inverted terminal repeats (ITR) and the hairpin loop within the de novo assembled WGS. Additionally, peculiarities regarding map location of two genes and the heterogeneity of a genomic region were noted. Details for the molecular variability of an interferon response modulatory gene (ORF116) and the PCPV specificity of gene 073.5 are reported. In summary, WGS gained by Nanopore sequencing allowed analysis of complete PPV genomes and confident virus species attribution within a phylogenetic tree avoiding uncertainty of limited gene-based diagnostics. Nanopore-based WGS provides robust comparison of PPV genomes and reliable identity determination of new Poxviruses.

Network analysis-guided drug repurposing strategies targeting LPAR receptor in the interplay of COVID, Alzheimer's, and diabetes

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has greatly affected global health. Emerging evidence suggests a complex interplay between Alzheimer's disease (AD), diabetes (DM), and COVID-19. Given COVID-19's involvement in the increased risk of other diseases, there is an urgent need to identify novel targets and drugs to combat these interconnected health challenges. Lysophosphatidic acid receptors (LPARs), belonging to the G protein-coupled receptor family, have been implicated in various pathological conditions, including inflammation. In this regard, the study aimed to investigate the involvement of LPARs (specifically LPAR1, 3, 6) in the tri-directional relationship between AD, DM, and COVID-19 through network analysis, as well as explore the therapeutic potential of selected anti-AD, anti-DM drugs as LPAR, SPIKE antagonists. We used the Coremine Medical database to identify genes related to DM, AD, and COVID-19. Furthermore, STRING analysis was used to identify the interacting partners of LPAR1, LPAR3, and LPAR6. Additionally, a literature search revealed 78 drugs on the market or in clinical studies that were used for treating either AD or DM. We carried out docking analysis of these drugs against the LPAR1, LPAR3, and LPAR6. Furthermore, we modeled the LPAR1, LPAR3, and LPAR6 in a complex with the COVID-19 spike protein and performed a docking study of selected drugs with the LPAR-Spike complex. The analysis revealed 177 common genes implicated in AD, DM, and COVID-19. Protein-protein docking analysis demonstrated that LPAR (1,3 & 6) efficiently binds with the viral SPIKE protein, suggesting them as targets for viral infection. Furthermore, docking analysis of the anti-AD and anti-DM drugs against LPARs, SPIKE protein, and the LPARs-SPIKE complex revealed promising candidates, including lupron, neflamapimod, and nilotinib, stating the importance of drug repurposing in the drug discovery process. These drugs exhibited the ability to bind and inhibit the LPAR receptor activity and the SPIKE protein and interfere with LPAR-SPIKE protein interaction. Through a combined network and targeted-based therapeutic intervention approach, this study has identified several drugs that could be repurposed for treating COVID-19 due to their expected interference with LPAR(1, 3, and 6) and spike protein complexes. In addition, it can also be hypothesized that the co-administration of these identified drugs during COVID-19 infection may not only help mitigate the impact of the virus but also potentially contribute to the prevention or management of post-COVID complications related to AD and DM.

Bovine papular stomatitis virus as a vaccine vector for cattle

Virus vectored vaccines are not available commercially for cattle even though compelling potential applications exist. Bovine papular stomatitis virus (BPSV), a highly prevalent parapoxvirus, causes self-limited oral lesions in cattle. Ability of virus to accommodate large amounts of foreign DNA, induce low level of antiviral immunity, and circulate and likely persist in cattle populations, make BPSV an attractive candidate viral vector. Here, recombinant BPSV were constructed expressing either Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) glycoprotein gD (BPSVgD), or gD and gB (BPSVgD/gB). Immunization of BPSV serologically-positive calves with BPSVgD or BPSVgD/gB induced BoHV-1 neutralization antibodies and provided protection for three of four animals following a high dose BoHV-1 challenge at day 70 pi. Results indicate BPSV suitability as a candidate virus vector for cattle vaccines.

Recent advances in diagnostic approaches for orf virus

Orf virus (ORFV), the prototype species of the Parapoxvirus genus, is an important zoonotic virus, causing great economic losses in livestock production. At present, there are no effective drugs for orf treatment. Therefore, it is crucial to develop accurate and rapid diagnostic approaches for ORFV. Over decades, various diagnostic methods have been established, including conventional methods such as virus isolation and electron microscopy; serological methods such as virus neutralization test (VNT), immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay, immunofluorescence assay (IFA), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); and molecular methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), real-time PCR, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA), and recombinase-aided amplification (RAA) assay. This review provides an overview of currently available diagnostic approaches for ORFV and discusses their advantages and limitations and future perspectives, which would be significantly helpful for ORFV early diagnosis and surveillance to prevent outbreak of orf. KEY POINTS: • Orf virus emerged and reemerged in past years • Rapid and efficient diagnostic approaches are needed and critical for ORFV detection • Novel and sensitive diagnostic methods are required for ORFV detection.