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Jhelum H, Papatsiros V, Papakonstantinou G, Krabben L, Kaufer B, Denner J. Screening for Viruses in Indigenous Greek Black Pigs. Microorganisms 2024; 12:315. [PMID: 38399719 PMCID: PMC10893322 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12020315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The successful advancement of xenotransplantation has led to the development of highly sensitive detection systems for the screening of potentially zoonotic viruses in donor pigs and preventing their transmission to the recipient. To validate these methods, genetically modified pigs generated for xenotransplantation, numerous minipigs and other pig breeds have been tested, thereby increasing our knowledge concerning the pig virome and the distribution of pig viruses. Of particular importance are the porcine cytomegalovirus, a porcine roseolovirus (PCMV/PRV) and the hepatitis E virus genotype 3 (HEV3). PCMV/PRV has been shown to reduce the survival time of pig transplants in non-human primates and was also transmitted in the first pig heart transplantation to a human patient. The main aim of this study was to determine the sensitivities of our methods to detect PCMV/PRV, HEV3, porcine lymphotropic herpesvirus-1 (PLHV-1), PLHV-2, PLHV-3, porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2), PCV3, PCV4 and porcine parvovirus 1 (PPV1) and to apply the methods to screen indigenous Greek black pigs. The high number of viruses found in these animals allowed for the evaluation of numerous detection methods. Since porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) type A and B are integrated in the genome of all pigs, but PERV-C is not, the animals were screened for PERV-C and PERV-A/C. Our detection methods were sensitive and detected PCMV/PRV, PLHV-1, PLHV-1, PLHV-3, PVC3 and PERV-C in most animals. PPV1, HEV3, PCV4 and PERV-A/C were not detected. These data are of great interest since the animals are healthy and resistant to diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hina Jhelum
- Institute of Virology, Free University Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany; (H.J.); (L.K.); (B.K.)
| | - Vasileios Papatsiros
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Clinic of Medicine (Farm Animal Medicine), University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece; (V.P.); (G.P.)
| | - Georgios Papakonstantinou
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Clinic of Medicine (Farm Animal Medicine), University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece; (V.P.); (G.P.)
| | - Ludwig Krabben
- Institute of Virology, Free University Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany; (H.J.); (L.K.); (B.K.)
| | - Benedikt Kaufer
- Institute of Virology, Free University Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany; (H.J.); (L.K.); (B.K.)
| | - Joachim Denner
- Institute of Virology, Free University Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany; (H.J.); (L.K.); (B.K.)
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Barrero Guevara LA, Goult E, Rodriguez D, Hernandez LJ, Kaufer B, Kurth T, Domenech de Cellès M. Delineating the Seasonality of Varicella and Its Association With Climate in the Tropical Country of Colombia. J Infect Dis 2023; 228:674-683. [PMID: 37384795 PMCID: PMC10503957 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiad244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Varicella causes a major health burden in many low- to middle-income countries located in tropical regions. Because of the lack of surveillance data, however, the epidemiology of varicella in these regions remains uncharacterized. In this study, based on an extensive dataset of weekly varicella incidence in children ≤10 during 2011-2014 in 25 municipalities, we aimed to delineate the seasonality of varicella across the diverse tropical climates of Colombia. METHODS We used generalized additive models to estimate varicella seasonality, and we used clustering and matrix correlation methods to assess its correlation with climate. Furthermore, we developed a mathematical model to examine whether including the effect of climate on varicella transmission could reproduce the observed spatiotemporal patterns. RESULTS Varicella seasonality was markedly bimodal, with latitudinal changes in the peaks' timing and amplitude. This spatial gradient strongly correlated with specific humidity (Mantel statistic = 0.412, P = .001) but not temperature (Mantel statistic = 0.077, P = .225). The mathematical model reproduced the observed patterns not only in Colombia but also México, and it predicted a latitudinal gradient in Central America. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate large variability in varicella seasonality across Colombia and suggest that spatiotemporal humidity fluctuations can explain the calendar of varicella epidemics in Colombia, México, and potentially in Central America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Andrea Barrero Guevara
- Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Public Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Elizabeth Goult
- Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Benedikt Kaufer
- Institute of Virology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tobias Kurth
- Institute of Public Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Jhelum H, Bender M, Reichart B, Mokelke M, Radan J, Neumann E, Krabben L, Abicht JM, Kaufer B, Längin M, Denner J. Evidence for Microchimerism in Baboon Recipients of Pig Hearts. Viruses 2023; 15:1618. [PMID: 37515304 PMCID: PMC10385208 DOI: 10.3390/v15071618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Xenotransplantation, like allotransplantation, is usually associated with microchimerism, i.e., the presence of cells from the donor in the recipient. Microchimerism was reported in first xenotransplantation trials in humans, as well as in most preclinical trials in nonhuman primates (for review, see Denner, Viruses 2023, 15, 190). When using pigs as xenotransplantation donors, their cells contain porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) in their genome. This makes it difficult to discriminate between microchimerism and PERV infection of the recipient. Here, we demonstrate the appropriate virological methods to be used for the identification of microchimerism, first by screening for porcine cellular genes, and then how to detect infection of the host. Using porcine short interspersed nuclear sequences (SINEs), which have hundreds of thousands of copies in the pig genome, significantly increased the sensitivity of the screening for pig cells. Second, absence of PERV RNA demonstrated an absence of viral genomic RNA or expression as mRNA. Lastly, absence of antibodies against PERV proteins conclusively demonstrated an absence of a PERV infection. When applying these methods for analyzing baboons after pig heart transplantation, microchimerism could be demonstrated and infection excluded in all animals. These methods can be used in future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hina Jhelum
- Institut of Virology, Free University Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Bender
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Bruno Reichart
- Transregional Collaborative Research Center 127, Walter Brendel Centre of Experimental Medicine, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Maren Mokelke
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Julia Radan
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Neumann
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Ludwig Krabben
- Institut of Virology, Free University Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jan-Michael Abicht
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Benedikt Kaufer
- Institut of Virology, Free University Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthias Längin
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Joachim Denner
- Institut of Virology, Free University Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany
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Jhelum H, Grand N, Jacobsen KR, Halecker S, Salerno M, Prate R, Krüger L, Kristiansen Y, Krabben L, Möller L, Laue M, Kaufer B, Kaaber K, Denner J. First virological and pathological study of Göttingen Minipigs with Dippity Pig Syndrome (DPS). PLoS One 2023; 18:e0281521. [PMID: 37319233 PMCID: PMC10270609 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Dippity Pig Syndrome (DPS) is a well-known but rare complex of clinical signs affecting minipigs, which has not been thoroughly investigated yet. Clinically affected animals show acute appearance of red, exudating lesions across the spine. The lesions are painful, evidenced by arching of the back (dipping), and the onset of clinical signs is generally sudden. In order to understand the pathogenesis, histological and virological investigations were performed in affected and unaffected Göttingen Minipigs (GöMPs). The following DNA viruses were screened for using PCR-based methods: Porcine cytomegalovirus (PCMV), which is a porcine roseolovirus (PCMV/PRV), porcine lymphotropic herpesviruses (PLHV-1, PLHV-2, PLHV-3), porcine circoviruses (PCV1, PCV2, PCV3, PCV4), porcine parvovirus 1 (PPV1), and Torque Teno sus viruses (TTSuV1, TTSuV2). Screening was also performed for integrated porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERV-A, PERV-B, PERV-C) and recombinant PERV-A/C and their expression as well as for the RNA viruses hepatitis E virus (HEV) and SARS-CoV-2. Eight clinically affected and one unaffected GöMPs were analyzed. Additional unaffected minipigs had been analyzed in the past. The analyzed GöMPs contained PERV-A and PERV-B integrated in the genome, which are present in all pigs and PERV-C, which is present in most, but not all pigs. In one affected GöMPs recombinant PERV-A/C was detected in blood. In this animal a very high expression of PERV mRNA was observed. PCMV/PRV was found in three affected animals, PCV1 was found in three animals with DPS and in the unaffected minipig, and PCV3 was detected in two animals with DPS and in the unaffected minipig. Most importantly, in one animal only PLHV-3 was detected. It was found in the affected and unaffected skin, and in other organs. Unfortunately, PLHV-3 could not be studied in all other affected minipigs. None of the other viruses were detected and using electron microscopy, no virus particles were found in the affected skin. No porcine virus RNA with exception of PERV and astrovirus RNA were detected in the affected skin by next generation sequencing. This data identified some virus infections in GöMPs with DPS and assign a special role to PLHV-3. Since PCMV/PRV, PCV1, PCV3 and PLHV-3 were also found in unaffected animals, a multifactorial cause of DPS is suggested. However, elimination of the viruses from GöMPs may prevent DPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hina Jhelum
- Institute of Virology, Free University, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Michelle Salerno
- Marshall BioResources, North Rose, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Robert Prate
- Institute of Virology, Free University, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Lars Möller
- Robert Koch Institute, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens ZBS 4: Advanced Light and Electron Microscopy, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Laue
- Robert Koch Institute, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens ZBS 4: Advanced Light and Electron Microscopy, Berlin, Germany
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Page TM, Nie C, Neander L, Povolotsky TL, Sahoo AK, Nickl P, Adler JM, Bawadkji O, Radnik J, Achazi K, Ludwig K, Lauster D, Netz RR, Trimpert J, Kaufer B, Haag R, Donskyi IS. Functionalized Fullerene for Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 Variants. Small 2023; 19:e2206154. [PMID: 36651127 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202206154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
As virus outbreaks continue to pose a challenge, a nonspecific viral inhibitor can provide significant benefits, especially against respiratory viruses. Polyglycerol sulfates recently emerge as promising agents that mediate interactions between cells and viruses through electrostatics, leading to virus inhibition. Similarly, hydrophobic C60 fullerene can prevent virus infection via interactions with hydrophobic cavities of surface proteins. Here, two strategies are combined to inhibit infection of SARS-CoV-2 variants in vitro. Effective inhibitory concentrations in the millimolar range highlight the significance of bare fullerene's hydrophobic moiety and electrostatic interactions of polysulfates with surface proteins of SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, microscale thermophoresis measurements support that fullerene linear polyglycerol sulfates interact with the SARS-CoV-2 virus via its spike protein, and highlight importance of electrostatic interactions within it. All-atom molecular dynamics simulations reveal that the fullerene binding site is situated close to the receptor binding domain, within 4 nm of polyglycerol sulfate binding sites, feasibly allowing both portions of the material to interact simultaneously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor M Page
- Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 3, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Chuanxiong Nie
- Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 3, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lenard Neander
- Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 3, 14195, Berlin, Germany
- Physics Department, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 14, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tatyana L Povolotsky
- Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 3, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anil Kumar Sahoo
- Physics Department, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 14, 14195, Berlin, Germany
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Philip Nickl
- Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 3, 14195, Berlin, Germany
- BAM - Federal Institute for Material Science and Testing, Division of Surface Analysis and Interfacial Chemistry, Unter den Eichen 44-46, 12205, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julia M Adler
- Institut für Virologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Straße 7, 14163, Berlin, Germany
- Tiermedizinischen Zentrum für Resistenzforschung (TZR), Freie Universität Berlin, 14163, Berlin, Germany
| | - Obida Bawadkji
- Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 3, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jörg Radnik
- BAM - Federal Institute for Material Science and Testing, Division of Surface Analysis and Interfacial Chemistry, Unter den Eichen 44-46, 12205, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katharina Achazi
- Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 3, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kai Ludwig
- Forschungszentrum für Elektronenmikroskopie and Core Facility BioSupraMol, Freie Universität Berlin, Fabeckstraße 36A, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Lauster
- Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 3, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Roland R Netz
- Physics Department, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 14, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jakob Trimpert
- Institut für Virologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Straße 7, 14163, Berlin, Germany
- Tiermedizinischen Zentrum für Resistenzforschung (TZR), Freie Universität Berlin, 14163, Berlin, Germany
| | - Benedikt Kaufer
- Institut für Virologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Straße 7, 14163, Berlin, Germany
- Tiermedizinischen Zentrum für Resistenzforschung (TZR), Freie Universität Berlin, 14163, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rainer Haag
- Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 3, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ievgen S Donskyi
- Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 3, 14195, Berlin, Germany
- BAM - Federal Institute for Material Science and Testing, Division of Surface Analysis and Interfacial Chemistry, Unter den Eichen 44-46, 12205, Berlin, Germany
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Hansen S, Fischer K, Krabben L, Rinke Carrapeiro A, Klinger B, Schnieke A, Kaufer B, Denner J. Detection of porcine cytomegalovirus, a roseolovirus, in pig ovaries and follicular fluid: implications for somatic cells nuclear transfer, cloning and xenotransplantation. Virol J 2023; 20:15. [PMID: 36707837 PMCID: PMC9881377 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-023-01975-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Porcine cytomegalovirus (PCMV) is a porcine roseolovirus (PCMV/PRV) which is widely distributed in pigs. Transmission of PCMV/PRV in preclinical xenotransplantations was shown to significantly reduce the survival time of the pig transplants in non-human primates. PCMV/PRV was also transmitted in the first transplantation of a pig heart into a human patient. To analyze how PCMV/PRV could be introduced into pig breeds, especially considering cloned transgenic pigs, and subsequently spread in breeding facilities, we screened ovaries and derived materials which are used to perform somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). METHODS DNA was isolated from ovarian tissues, follicular fluids, oocytes with cumulus cells, denuded oocytes and parthenotes. A real-time PCR with PCMV/PRV-specific primers and a probe was performed to detect PCMV/PRV. Furthermore, a Western blot assay using a recombinant fragment of the gB protein of PCMV/PRV was performed to screen for virus-specific antibodies in the follicular fluids. RESULTS PCMV/PRV was found by real-time PCR in ovarian tissues, in the follicular fluid and in oocytes. In parthenotes the virus could not be detected, most-likely due to the low amount of DNA used. By Western blot assay specific antibodies against PCMV/PRV were found in 19 of 20 analyzed follicular fluids. CONCLUSION PCMV/PRV was found in ovarian tissues, in the follicular fluids and also in denuded oocytes, indicating that the virus is present in the animals of which the oocytes were taken from. Despite several washing steps of the denuded oocytes, which are subsequently used for microinjection or SCNT, the virus could still be detected. Therefore, the virus could infect oocytes during genetic modifications or stay attached to the surface of the oocytes, potentially infecting SCNT recipient animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Hansen
- grid.14095.390000 0000 9116 4836Institute of Virology, Free University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Konrad Fischer
- grid.6936.a0000000123222966Chair of Animal Biotechnology, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Ludwig Krabben
- grid.14095.390000 0000 9116 4836Institute of Virology, Free University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexander Rinke Carrapeiro
- grid.6936.a0000000123222966Chair of Animal Biotechnology, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Bernhard Klinger
- grid.6936.a0000000123222966Chair of Animal Biotechnology, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Angelika Schnieke
- grid.6936.a0000000123222966Chair of Animal Biotechnology, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Benedikt Kaufer
- grid.14095.390000 0000 9116 4836Institute of Virology, Free University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Joachim Denner
- Institute of Virology, Free University Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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Hansen S, Menandro ML, Franzo G, Krabben L, Marino SF, Kaufer B, Denner J. Presence of porcine cytomegalovirus, a porcine roseolovirus, in wild boars in Italy and Germany. Arch Virol 2023; 168:55. [PMID: 36609605 PMCID: PMC9825524 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-022-05690-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Porcine cytomegalovirus (PCMV), a porcine roseolovirus (PRV) that is closely related to human herpesviruses 6 and 7, is commonly found in commercial pigs. PCMV/PRV is important in xenotransplantation, because in preclinical trials in which pig organs were transplanted into non-human primates, transmission of PCMV/PRV was shown to be associated with significantly reduced survival of the xenotransplants. PCMV/PRV was also transmitted in the first transplantation of a pig heart into a human patient worldwide and apparently contributed to the death of the patient. The prevalence of PCMV/PRV in wild boars is largely unknown. In this study, we screened wild boars from several areas of northern Italy and Germany to test for the presence of PCMV/PRV using PCR-based and Western blot assays. By Western blot analysis, 54% and 82% of Italian and German wild boars, respectively, were found to be PCMV/PRV positive, while 36% and 60%, respectively, tested positive by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). These data indicate that the virus is common in German and Italian wild boars and that the Western blot assay detected a PCMV/PRV infection more often than did real-time PCR. The data also indicate that pigs raised for xenotransplantation should be protected from contact with materials from wild boars and commercial pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Hansen
- Institute of Virology, Free University Berlin, 14163, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maria Luisa Menandro
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health (MAPS), University of Padua, 35020, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Giovanni Franzo
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health (MAPS), University of Padua, 35020, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Ludwig Krabben
- Institute of Virology, Free University Berlin, 14163, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stephen F Marino
- Parasites in Foodstuffs, Department of Biological Safety, Unit Diagnostics, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Benedikt Kaufer
- Institute of Virology, Free University Berlin, 14163, Berlin, Germany
| | - Joachim Denner
- Institute of Virology, Free University Berlin, 14163, Berlin, Germany.
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Halecker S, Hansen S, Krabben L, Ebner F, Kaufer B, Denner J. How, where and when to screen for porcine cytomegalovirus (PCMV) in donor pigs for xenotransplantation. Sci Rep 2022; 12:21545. [PMID: 36513687 PMCID: PMC9747970 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25624-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Porcine cytomegalovirus (PCMV), that is actually a porcine roseolovirus (PRV), is a common herpesvirus in domestic pigs and wild boars. In xenotransplantation, PCMV/PRV has been shown to significantly reduce the survival time of pig kidneys and hearts in preclinical trials with different non-human primates. Furthermore, PCMV/PRV has been transmitted in the first pig to human heart xenotransplantation and contributed to the death of the patient. Although transmitted to the recipient, there is no evidence that PCMV/PRV can infect primate cells including human cells. PCMV/PRV is closely related to the human herpesviruses 6 and 7, and only distantly related to the human CMV (HCMV). Antiviral drugs used for the treatment of HCMV are less effective against PCMV/PRV. However, there are well described strategies to eliminate the virus from pig facilities. In order to detect the virus and to eliminate it, highly sensitive detection methods and the knowledge of how, where and when to screen the donor pigs is required. Here, a comparative testing of organs from pigs of different ages using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based and immunological methods was performed. Testing young piglets, PCMV/PRV was detected effectively by PCR in blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, tonsils and heart. In adult animals, detection by PCR was not successful in most cases, because the virus load was below the detection limit or the virus was in its latent stage. Therefore, detection of antibodies against selected recombinant proteins corresponding to epitopes detected by nearly all infected animals in a Western blot assay is advantageous. By contrast, immunological testing is not beneficial in young animals as piglets might have PCMV/PRV-specific antibodies obtained from their infected mother via the colostrum. Using a thoughtful combination of PCR-based and immunological methods, detection of PCMV/PRV in donor pigs for xenotransplantation is feasible and a controlled elimination of the virus by early weaning or other methods is possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Halecker
- grid.14095.390000 0000 9116 4836Institute of Virology, Free University, Berlin, Germany
| | - S. Hansen
- grid.14095.390000 0000 9116 4836Institute of Virology, Free University, Berlin, Germany
| | - L. Krabben
- grid.14095.390000 0000 9116 4836Institute of Virology, Free University, Berlin, Germany
| | - F. Ebner
- grid.14095.390000 0000 9116 4836Institute of Immunology, Free University, Berlin, Germany
| | - B. Kaufer
- grid.14095.390000 0000 9116 4836Institute of Virology, Free University, Berlin, Germany
| | - J. Denner
- grid.14095.390000 0000 9116 4836Institute of Virology, Free University, Berlin, Germany
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Halecker S, Krabben L, Kristiansen Y, Krüger L, Möller L, Becher D, Laue M, Kaufer B, Reimer C, Denner J. Rare isolation of human-tropic recombinant porcine endogenous retroviruses PERV-A/C from Göttingen minipigs. Virol J 2022; 19:30. [PMID: 35189916 PMCID: PMC8862210 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-022-01742-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) can infect human cells and pose a risk for xenotransplantation when pig cells, tissues or organs are transplanted to human recipients. Xenotransplantation holds great promise to overcome the shortage of human donor organs after solving the problems of rejection, functionality and virus safety. We recently described the transmission of a human-tropic recombinant PERV-A/C, designated PERV-F, from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of a Göttingen Minipig (GöMP) to human 293 cells (Krüger et al., in Viruses 12(1):38, 2019). The goal of this study was to characterize PERV-F in more detail and to analyze the probability of virus isolation from other animals. Methods The recombination site in the envelope (env) gene, the long terminal repeats (LTR), the proteins and the morphology of the recombinant PERV-F were characterized by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), sequencing, Western blot analysis, immunofluorescence, and transmissible electron microscopy. Mitogen-stimulated PBMCs from 47 additional pigs, including 17 new GöMP, were co-cultured with highly susceptible human 293 T cells, and the PERV-A/C prevalence and PERV transmission was analyzed by PCR. Results PERV-F, isolated from a GöMP, is an infectious human-tropic PERV-A/C virus with a novel type of recombination in the env gene. The length of the LTR of PERV-F increased after passaging on human cells. In a few minipigs, but not in German landrace pigs, PERV-A/C were found. There was no transmission of human-tropic PERV-A/C from additional 47 pigs, including 17 GöMP, to human cells. Conclusion These data show that human-tropic recombinant PERV-A/C proviruses can only be found in a very small number of minipigs, but not in other pigs, and that their isolation as infectious virus able to replicate on human cells is an extremely rare event, even when using highly susceptible 293 cells. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12985-022-01742-0.
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Halecker S, Metzger J, Strube C, Krabben L, Kaufer B, Denner J. Virological and Parasitological Characterization of Mini-LEWE Minipigs Using Improved Screening Methods and an Overview of Data on Various Minipig Breeds. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9122617. [PMID: 34946218 PMCID: PMC8706741 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9122617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Minipigs play an important role in biomedical research and have also been used as donor animals in xenotransplantation. To serve as a donor in xenotransplantation, the animals must be free of potential zoonotic viruses, bacteria and parasites. Porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) are integrated in the genome of all pigs and cannot be eliminated as most of the other pig viruses can. PERV-A and PERV-B infect human cells in cell culture and are integrated in all pigs, whereas PERV-C infects only pig cells and it is found in many, but not all pigs. Minipigs are known for a high prevalence of recombinant PERV-A/C viruses able to infect human cells (Denner and Schuurman, Viruses, 2021;13:1869). Here, Mini-LEWE minipigs are screened for the first time for pig viruses including PERV. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 10 animals were screened using PCR-based methods (PCR, RT-PCR, and real-time PCR). In comparison with our previous screening assays, numerous improvements were introduced, e.g., the usage of gene blocks as a PCR standard and foreign RNA to control reverse transcription in RT-PCR. Using these improved detection methods, Mini-LEWE pigs were found to be negative for porcine cytomegalovirus (PCMV), porcine lymphotropic herpesviruses (PLHV-1, -2 and -3), porcine circoviruses (PCV1, 2, 3 and 4), porcine parvovirus (PPV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV). All animals carried PERV-A, PERV-B and PERV-C in their genome. PERV-A/C was not found. In contrast to all other minipig breeds (Göttingen minipigs, Aachen minipigs, Yucatan micropig, Massachusetts General Hospital miniature pigs), Mini-LEWE minipigs have less viruses and no PERV-A/C. Parasitological screening showed that none of the Mini-LEWE minipigs harbored ecto- and gastrointestinal parasites, but at least one animal tested positive for anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Halecker
- Institute of Virology, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany; (S.H.); (L.K.); (B.K.)
| | - Julia Metzger
- Research Group Veterinary Functional Genomics, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany;
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany;
| | - Ludwig Krabben
- Institute of Virology, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany; (S.H.); (L.K.); (B.K.)
| | - Benedikt Kaufer
- Institute of Virology, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany; (S.H.); (L.K.); (B.K.)
| | - Joachim Denner
- Institute of Virology, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany; (S.H.); (L.K.); (B.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-30-8386-3059
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Tolksdorf B, Nie C, Niemeyer D, Röhrs V, Berg J, Lauster D, Adler JM, Haag R, Trimpert J, Kaufer B, Drosten C, Kurreck J. Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 Replication by a Small Interfering RNA Targeting the Leader Sequence. Viruses 2021; 13:v13102030. [PMID: 34696460 PMCID: PMC8539227 DOI: 10.3390/v13102030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected almost 200 million people worldwide and led to approximately 4 million deaths as of August 2021. Despite successful vaccine development, treatment options are limited. A promising strategy to specifically target viral infections is to suppress viral replication through RNA interference (RNAi). Hence, we designed eight small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting the highly conserved 5′-untranslated region (5′-UTR) of SARS-CoV-2. The most promising candidate identified in initial reporter assays, termed siCoV6, targets the leader sequence of the virus, which is present in the genomic as well as in all subgenomic RNAs. In assays with infectious SARS-CoV-2, it reduced replication by two orders of magnitude and prevented the development of a cytopathic effect. Moreover, it retained its activity against the SARS-CoV-2 alpha variant and has perfect homology against all sequences of the delta variant that were analyzed by bioinformatic means. Interestingly, the siRNA was even highly active in virus replication assays with the SARS-CoV-1 family member. This work thus identified a very potent siRNA with a broad activity against various SARS-CoV viruses that represents a promising candidate for the development of new treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Tolksdorf
- Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany; (B.T.); (V.R.); (J.B.)
| | - Chuanxiong Nie
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany; (C.N.); (D.L.); (R.H.)
| | - Daniela Niemeyer
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (D.N.); (C.D.)
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Viola Röhrs
- Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany; (B.T.); (V.R.); (J.B.)
| | - Johanna Berg
- Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany; (B.T.); (V.R.); (J.B.)
| | - Daniel Lauster
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany; (C.N.); (D.L.); (R.H.)
| | - Julia M. Adler
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Virology, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany; (J.M.A.); (J.T.); (B.K.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Rainer Haag
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany; (C.N.); (D.L.); (R.H.)
| | - Jakob Trimpert
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Virology, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany; (J.M.A.); (J.T.); (B.K.)
| | - Benedikt Kaufer
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Virology, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany; (J.M.A.); (J.T.); (B.K.)
| | - Christian Drosten
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (D.N.); (C.D.)
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jens Kurreck
- Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany; (B.T.); (V.R.); (J.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.:+ 49-30-314-27581
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Mariani M, Zimmerman C, Rodriguez P, Hasenohr E, Aimola G, Gerrard DL, Richman A, Dest A, Flamand L, Kaufer B, Frietze S. Higher-Order Chromatin Structures of Chromosomally Integrated HHV-6A Predict Integration Sites. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:612656. [PMID: 33718266 PMCID: PMC7953476 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.612656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Human herpesvirus -6A and 6B (HHV-6A/B) can integrate their genomes into the telomeres of human chromosomes. Viral integration can occur in several cell types, including germinal cells, resulting in individuals that harbor the viral genome in every cell of their body. The integrated genome is efficiently silenced but can sporadically reactivate resulting in various clinical symptoms. To date, the integration mechanism and the subsequent silencing of HHV-6A/B genes remains poorly understood. Here we investigate the genome-wide chromatin contacts of the integrated HHV-6A in latently-infected cells. We show that HHV-6A becomes transcriptionally silent upon infection of these cells over the course of seven days. In addition, we established an HHV-6-specific 4C-seq approach, revealing that the HHV-6A 3D interactome is associated with quiescent chromatin states in cells harboring integrated virus. Furthermore, we observed that the majority of virus chromatin interactions occur toward the distal ends of specific human chromosomes. Exploiting this finding, we established a 4C-seq method that accurately detects the chromosomal integration sites. We further implement long-read minION sequencing in the 4C-seq assay and developed a method to identify HHV-6A/B integration sites in clinical samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Mariani
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Cosima Zimmerman
- Institute of Virology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Princess Rodriguez
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Ellie Hasenohr
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Giulia Aimola
- Institute of Virology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Diana Lea Gerrard
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Alyssa Richman
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Andrea Dest
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Louis Flamand
- Division of Infectious Disease and Immunity, CHU de Québec Research Center-Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Benedikt Kaufer
- Institute of Virology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Seth Frietze
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States.,University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, VT, United States
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Tischer BK, von Einem J, Kaufer B, Osterrieder N. Two-step red-mediated recombination for versatile high-efficiency markerless DNA manipulation in Escherichia coli. Biotechniques 2006; 40:191-7. [PMID: 16526409 DOI: 10.2144/000112096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 631] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Red recombination using PCR-amplified selectable markers is a well-established technique for mutagenesis of large DNA molecules in Escherichia coli. The system has limited efficacy and versatility, however, for markerless modifications including point mutations, deletions, and particularly insertions of longer sequences. Here we describe a procedure that combines Red recombination and cleavage with the homing endonuclease I-SceI to allow highly efficient, PCR-based DNA engineering without retention of unwanted foreign sequences. We applied the method to modification of bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) constructs harboring an infectious herpesvirus clone to demonstrate the potential of the mutagenesis technique, which was used for the insertion of long sequences such as coding regions or promoters, introduction of point mutations, scarless deletions, and insertion of short sequences such as an epitope tag. The system proved to be highly reliable and efficient and can be adapted for a variety of different modifications of BAC clones, which are fundamental tools for applications as diverse as the generation of transgenic animals and the construction of gene therapy or vaccine vectors.
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MESH Headings
- Chromosomes, Artificial, Bacterial
- Cloning, Molecular
- DNA Primers
- DNA, Bacterial
- DNA, Viral/chemistry
- Escherichia coli/genetics
- Escherichia coli/growth & development
- Gene Deletion
- Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
- Genes, Bacterial
- Genetic Engineering
- Mutagenesis, Insertional
- Plasmids
- Point Mutation
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Recombination, Genetic
- Selection, Genetic
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Miller A, Kaufer B, Carlsson L. Activities on component reliability under the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency. Nuclear Engineering and Design 2000. [DOI: 10.1016/s0029-5493(99)00318-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Kaufer B. OECD activities in fire protection / OECD Aktivitäten im Bereich Brandschutz. KERNTECHNIK 2000. [DOI: 10.1515/kern-2000-652-308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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