Transcriptional Immune Signatures of Alveolar Macrophages and the Impact of the NLRP3 Inflammasome on Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) Replication

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) is a contagious viral (PRRSV) disease in pigs characterized by poor reproductive health, increased mortality, and reductions in growth rates. PRRSV is known to implement immuno-antagonistic mechanisms to evade detection and mute host responses to infection. To better understand the cellular immunosignature of PRRSV we have undertaken transcriptome and immunomodulatory studies in PRRSV-infected porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs). We first used genome-wide transcriptome profiling (RNA-seq) to elucidate PRRSV-induced changes in the PAM transcriptome in response to infection. We found a number of cellular networks were altered by PRRSV infection, including many associated with innate immunity, such as, the NLRP3 inflammasome. To further explore the role(s) of innate immune networks in PRRSV-infected PAMs, we used an NLRP3-specific inhibitor, MCC950, to identify the potential functionality of the inflammasome during PRRSV replication. We found that PRRSV does quickly induce expression of inflammasome-associated genes in PAMs. Treatment of PAMs with MCC950 suggests NLRP3 inflammasome activation negatively impacts viral replication. Treatment of PAMs with cell culture supernatants from macrophages subjected to NLRP3 inflammasome activation (via polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) transfection), prior to PRRSV infection resulted in significantly reduced viral RNA levels compared to PAMs treated with cell culture supernatants from macrophages subjected to NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition (MCC950 treatment/poly I:C transfection). This further supports a role for NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the innate macrophagic anti-PRRSV immune response and suggests that PRRSV is sensitive to the effects of NLRP3 inflammasome activity. Taken together, these transcriptome and immunoregulatory data highlight the complex changes PRRSV infection induces in the molecular immune networks of its cellular host.

Development and validation of a scoring system to assess the relative vulnerability of swine breeding herds to the introduction of PRRS virus

Biosecurity is defined as the set of practices carried out to prevent the introduction and spread of infectious agents in a herd. These practices are essential in swine production, especially for highly infectious agents such as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSv). Even with years of research and experience over the last three decades, PRRSv is still causing productivity losses and is the major health problem affecting the global swine industry. Despite knowledge of the various ways in which the virus can be transmitted from one herd to another (e.g. animals, semen, truck, air, and people), determining the most frequent ways in which the virus is transmitted in the field is difficult. A systematic approach to assess vulnerabilities at a herd level related to PRRSv transmission could help producers prioritize biosecurity practices to reduce or avoid the occurrence of outbreaks. The aim of this study was to develop a biosecurity vulnerability score that represents the relative vulnerability of swine breeding herds to the introduction of PRRSv. To create the biosecurity vulnerability score (outcome), a multi-criteria decision analysis methodology was used to rank and quantify biosecurity practices based on expert opinion. To validate the biosecurity vulnerability score, a survey of biosecurity practices and PRRS outbreak histories in 125 breed-to-wean herds in the U.S. swine industry was used. Data on the frequency of PRRS outbreaks was used to test the hypothesis that biosecurity vulnerability scores were different between farms that have a low incidence of PRRS outbreaks, compared to farms that have a high incidence. In the two databases used, the scores consistently showed that farms with higher scores have a higher frequency of PRRS outbreaks. In the first validation, farms that had never had an outbreak investigation before had a significant (p < 0.02) lower score (0.29; 0.21-0.37) when compared to farms that had 2 or more outbreaks (0.43; 0.39-0.46). In the second, the farms of the control group also had significant (p < 0.004) lower scores (0.30; 0.27-0.33) compared to the case group (0.35; 0.33-0.38). Also, the results suggest that events related to swine movements, transmission by air and water, and people movements should be prioritized. The biosecurity vulnerability scores may be useful to assess vulnerabilities on biosecurity protocols in order to reduce the frequency of PRRS outbreaks and may help producers and veterinarians prioritize investments in improving biosecurity practices over time.

Direct inoculation of RNA transcripts from an infectious cDNA clone of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) into the lymph nodes and tonsils of pigs initiates PRRSV infection in vivo

The recent construction of PRRSV infectious cDNA clones affords the opportunity for structural and functional studies of PRRSV genes. However, the inherent instability of the PRRSV genome, the requirement of cell culture propagation, and poor virus recovery have limited the usefulness of the PRRSV reverse genetics system for in vivo studies. Here, we report a unique strategy of infecting pigs by bypassing the traditional in vitro cell culture step required for in vivo studies. We demonstrate that inoculation of RNA transcripts of a PRRSV infectious cDNA clone directly into the lymph nodes and tonsils of pigs produces active PRRSV infection. The information from this study will have significant implications for the study of the molecular mechanism of PRRSV pathogenesis using the reverse genetics system.

PMWS: an emerging disease identified in archived porcine tissues

Postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) is a disease caused by porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2). The disease was present as early as 1986 in Spain, 1989 in Japan and 1993 in Thailand. In view of this, we considered it possible that the disease may also have been present in Switzerland prior to its first description in 2001. A retrospective investigation was performed on paraffin-embedded lymphoid organs and ileum from 496 pigs aged 5-13 weeks collected between 1976 and mid-2001. The sections were investigated immunohistochemically using a monoclonal antibody specific for PCV-2 capsid antigen encoded by ORF2. Virus antigen was detected in tissue samples of 39 pigs from 28 farms. The earliest positive sample originated from 1986. After 1989, positive pigs were found almost every year among the 20-40 cases investigated annually. These results indicate that PCV-2 has been present in Switzerland for some time, and at least since 1986.

A survey of agents associated with neonatal diarrhea in Iowa swine including Clostridium difficile and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus

This survey was undertaken to determine the relative frequency of agents that are currently associated with neonatal diarrhea in swine, including Clostridium difficile and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). The subjects for this study were the first 100 live 1-7-day-old piglets submitted to the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory with a clinical signalment of diarrhea, beginning on January 1, 2000. The evaluation of each pig included bacterial culture of a section of ileum, 2 sections of jejunum, and a single section of colon; a fluorescent antibody test (FAT) or immunohistochemistry (IHC) for transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV); ELISA's for rotavirus and C. difficile toxins; IHC for PRRSV; and microscopic examination of ileum, midjejunum, spiral colon, liver, spleen, and lung. Survey results demonstrate a decline in the relative number of diagnoses of TGEV, Escherichia coli, and Clostridium perfringens type C compared with retrospective data. The combined case frequency rate for these 3 pathogens dropped from 70% in 1988 to 21% in 2000. This survey also demonstrated the emergence of C. difficile as an important pathogen of neonatal swine. Clostridium difficle toxin was detected in the colon contents of 29% of the piglets, and at least 1 toxin-positive animal was identified in 55% of the cases. All 29 C. difficile toxin-positive piglets had mesocolonic edema, and colitis was observed in 21 of 29 toxin-positive animals. PRRSV-positive macrophages were detected in the lamina propria of intestinal villi by IHC in 10 piglets with diarrhea. In 6 of these cases, PRRSV was the only pathogen detected. Gross and microscopic lung lesions were not a reliable indicator of PRRSV infection in these neonatal pigs with diarrhea. The addition of tests for C. difficile and PRRSV to a routine neonatal diarrhea diagnostic protocol resulted in a significant increase in thediagnostic success rate on both individual animal and case bases.

Risk factors for infection of sow herds with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus

In 1992, the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) of European type (PRRSV-EU) was introduced in Denmark. By 1996, the virus had spread to approximately 25% of the Danish herds. In January 1996, a modified-live vaccine based on the American type of the virus (PRRSV-US) was used in replacement boars for Danish artificial insemination (AI) centres and from July 1996, the vaccine was used in PRRSV-EU infected herds for prevention of disease. Soon after vaccine introduction, PRRSV non-infected herds experienced outbreaks of disease due to infection with PRRSV-US. In this study, we investigated the risk factors (biosecurity level, animals, exposure from PRRSV-US-infected neighbour herds, semen, herd size, pig density and herd density) for infection with PRRSV-US in a cohort of 1071 sow herds; we used a nested case-control study. The retrospective observation period lasted from June 1996 (when they all were non-infected) to October 1997. Seventy-three non-vaccinated, closed sow herds became infected with the vaccine strain during this period. Each case herd was matched with two control herds from the cohort (controls had not been infected at the time of infection in the case herds). The data were analysed using a Cox-regression model. The hazard of infection increased significantly with exposure from PRRSV-US-infected neighbouring herds, purchase of animals from herds incubating PRRSV-US infection, increasing herd size and purchase of semen from boars at PRRSV-US-infected AI centres. The results are consistent with the modified-live vaccine strain spread to other herds by trade with animals and semen and by neighbour (area) transmission. We suggest that virus spread by aerosols was a frequent mode of transmission.

Experimental inoculation of late term pregnant sows with a field isolate of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome vaccine-derived virus

The use of a live attenuated porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) vaccine in piglets has been associated with reproductive disorders in non-vaccinated sows. Vaccine-derived virus (VDV) has been isolated from foetuses, stillborn pigs, and dead piglets, indicating that the live vaccine spread from vaccinated piglets to non-vaccinated sows, and that the virus might be implicated in the severe reproductive problems observed. In the present study, one such VDV isolate was used to experimentally infect pregnant sows in the last trimester. The chosen isolate, which had more than 99.6% identity to the attenuated vaccine virus, originated from the lungs of a stillborn pig from a swine herd with a sudden high level of stillborn pigs and increased piglet mortality in the nursing period. Intranasal inoculation of sows with the virus isolate resulted in congenital infection, foetal death, and preweaning pig mortality. As such, the present study showed that vaccine-derived PRRSV can cause disease in swine consistent with PRRS.

Entry of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus into porcine alveolar macrophages via receptor-mediated endocytosis

Porcine alveolar macrophages (AMphi) are the dominant cell type that supports the replication of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in vivo and in vitro. In order to determine the characteristics of the virus-receptor interaction, the attachment of PRRSV to cells was examined by using biotinylated virus in a series of flow cytometric assays. PRRSV bound specifically to AMphi in a dose-dependent manner. Binding of PRRSV to AMphi increased gradually and reached a maximum within 60 min at 4 degrees C. By confocal microscopy, it was shown that different degrees of PRRSV binding exist and that entry is by endocytosis. Virus uptake in vesicles is a clathrin-dependent process, as it was blocked by the addition of cytochalasin D and co-localization of PRRSV and clathrin was found. Furthermore, by the use of two weak bases, NH4Cl and chloroquine, it was demonstrated that PRRSV uses a low pH-dependent entry pathway. In the presence of these reagents, input virions accumulated in large vacuoles, indicating that uncoating was prevented. These results indicate that PRRSV entry into AMphi involves attachment to a specific virus receptor(s) followed by a process of endocytosis, by which virions are taken into the cell within vesicles by a clathrin-dependent pathway. A subsequent drop in pH is required for proper virus replication.

Isolation of a cytopathogenic virus from a case of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) and its characterization as parainfluenza virus type 2

From a lung of a fetus of a breeding sow showing PRRS-like symptoms a viral agent could be isolated. It was characterized as an enveloped, hemagglutinating RNA virus. Ultrastructural examination of purified virus revealed paramyxovirus-like pleomorphic virions of approx. 200 nm in diameter. The helical nucleocapsids were about 18 nm in diameter. The virus was found to be antigenically related to simian virus 5 (SV5) a prototype strain of parainfluenza virus type 2, but not to bovine respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus type 1, parainfluenza virus type 3, and Newcastle disease virus as determined by western blot analysis.

[Boar semen--a possible risk factor in infection occurrence of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome]

Based on an experimental study using two and six PRRS-negative young boars and gilts, respectively, it was proven wether boar semen could be a risk factor in the transmission of the disease. The two boars were inoculated intranasally with the PRRS-virus strain I10 (Intervet) containing 107 TCID50/ml. Using ovulation synchronization six gilts were prepared as bioindicators to be inseminated, two of them with semen of the two boars at day 4, 8 and 12 after infection. Following inoculation of the boars, PRRS virus was shown to be present in blood from the 2nd until the 35th and 40th day p.i., respectively. PRRS virus could also be isolated from nasal swabs at day 6, 9, 12 and 19 and from preputial swabs at day 4, 12 and 27 after infection. PRRS virus could only be detected at day 19 p.i. in semen of one boar. Drastic changes in quality and volume of the ejaculate were observed about day 25 p.i. in both animals. Insemination of the gilts with semen collected at day 4, 8 and 12 p.i., however, did not lead to an infection of the females, because neither clinical signs typical for PRRS nor seroconversion could be observed. Reproductive parameters as well as birth and growing traits of the gilts were in accordance with norm values.

Chronological immunohistochemical detection and localization of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in gnotobiotic pigs

An immunogold-silver immunohistochemical technique was used to determine the chronological distribution and localization of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in experimentally infected gnotobiotic pigs. Thirty-two pigs were randomly allocated to infected (n = 24) or control (n = 8) groups. Pigs in infected groups were inoculated at 3 days of age by nasal instillation of PRRSV isolate ATCC VR-2332 (total dose = 10(2.64) TCID50), and control pigs were exposed in the same manner to uninfected cell culture supernatant. Three infected and one control pigs were euthanatized at 12 hours and at 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 14, and 21 days postexposure (DPE). Bronchiolar epithelial cells, arteriolar endothelial cells, monocytes, and interstitial, alveolar, and intravascular macrophages stained for PRRSV antigen at 12 hours postexposure. Staining for PRRSV antigen in endothelial cells, monocytes, and alveolar, interstitial, and intravascular macrophages was most intense and widespread in lung sections from 14 and 21 DPE. In the heart, macrophages in the interstitial and subendocardial spaces and endothelial cells in a few arterioles stained for PRRSV antigen at 14 and 21 DPE. Tonsillar macrophages and mucosal epithelium stained for PRRSV antigen at 12 hours postexposure and sporadically with less intensity in subsequent sampling periods. In the nasal turbinate, PRRSV antigen was identified in macrophages within the mucosal epithelium at 12 hours postexposure and again at 14 and 21 DPE. There was focal staining for PRRSV antigen in the choroid plexus in one pig at 14 DPE. Based on the results of this experiment, the pathogenesis of PRRSV infection in gnotobiotic pigs can be described as initial virus entry through nasal epithelial, tonsillar, and pulmonary macrophages, with viremia occurring by 12 hours postexposure followed by the development of pneumonia, myocarditis, encephalitis, rhinitis, vasculitis, and lymphoid necrosis. Although PRRSV can infect macrophages in heart, tonsil, turbinate, and choroid plexus, pulmonary macrophages are predominantly and consistently infected and are the predominantly cells for virus replication in gnotobiotic pigs.