Abstract:Veterinary biotechnologies that represent the applications of biotechnologies in veterinary science are advancing rapidly in the last decade in spite of relatively late kickoff. This special issue consists of four sections, reviews, new technologies, new methods and others, presenting the recent progress in diagnostic assays, vaccines and others of emerging and reemerging animal infectious diseases.

Abstract:Vaccination is an important strategy to prevent infectious diseases. However, low antigen yield of vaccine producing strains may lead to high cost of vaccines, low antigen production and vaccine failure. In recent years, many efforts have been made to improve the antigen yield of many vaccines. This mini-review summarizes various methods for increasing the antigen yield for vaccine production, including genetic modification of viruses, improvement of the adaptation of viruses to cells, and optimization of antigen expression systems and manufacturing procedures. Furthermore, we discuss the advantages and the problems of current strategies, as well as indicate the perspectives.

Abstract:This study aims to knock out the goat β-lactoglobulin (BLG) gene using CRISPR-Cas9 system and knock in human lactoferrin (hLF) at the BLG locus, and further study the effect of RAD51 stimulatory compound (RS-1) on homologous recombination efficiency. First, we designed an sgRNA targeting the first exon of goat BLG gene and constructed a co-expression vector pCas9-sgBLG. This sgRNA vector was then transfected into goat ear fibroblasts (GEFs), and the target region was examined by T7EN1 assay and sequencing. Second, we constructed a targeting vector pBHA-hLF-NIE including NEO and EGFP genes based on BLG gene locus. This targeting vector together with pCas9-sgBLG expression vector was co-transfected into GEFs. Transfected cells were then treated with 0, 5, 10 and 20 μmol/L RS-1 for 72 h to analyse the EGFP expression efficiency. Next, we used 800 μg/mL G418 to screen G418-resistent cell clones, and studied hLF site-specific knock-in cell clones by PCR and sequencing. The editing efficiency of sgBLG was between 25% and 31%. The EGFP expression efficiency indicated that the gene knock-in efficiency was improved by RS-1 in a dose-dependent manner, which could reach 3.5-fold compared to the control group. The percentage of positive cells with hLF knock-in was increased to 32.61% when 10 μmol/L RS-1 was used. However, when the concentration of RS-1 increased to 20 μmol/L, the percentage of positive cells decreased to 22.22% and resulted in an increase of senescent cell clone number. These results suggested that hLF knock-in and BLG knock-out in GEFs were achieved by using CRISPR/Cas9 system, and optimum concentration of RS-1 could improve knock-in efficiency, which provides a reference for efficiently obtaining gene knock-in cells using CRISPR/Cas9 in the future.

Abstract:Classical swine fever (CSF), one of OIE-listed diseases, is a highly contagious and economically important disease of pigs. Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) is the causative agent of CSF. The capsid (C) protein and the glycoproteins Erns, E1 and E2, are structural components of the virus. E2 is the most immunogenic protein of the CSFV glycoproteins, inducing neutralizing antibodies that provide protection against lethal CSFV challenge. In a previous study, we developed a murine MAb HQ06 against the E2 protein of CSFV. In this study, the variable region genes from HQ06 and constant regions gene of swine antibody are fused and cloned into the eukaryotic expression vectors to establish a cell line which can stably express a chimeric porcinized MAb (cHQ06) against E2 in CHO cell. The purified cHQ06 antibody protein was determined to be successfully generated, which exhibited high reactivity between cHQ06 and the E2 protein of CSFV by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting. More importantly, we investigated the neutralizing activity of cHQ06 against CSFV. In conclusion, this study generated cHQ06 for efficient and stable production which can be used against to develop novel diagnostic assays, investigate the structure and function of the E2 protein and generate novel preparations of diagnosis and treatment.

Abstract:To confirm the B cell epitope recognized by monoclonal antibody (MAb) 3G11 of bluetongue virus type 8 (BTV-8) VP2 protein prepared in our laboratory, antigen epitopes recognized by 3G11 were screened and identified by phage display technology. KLLAT sequence was found by sequencing of blue spot after four rounds panning and 283LL284 of common short peptide sequence was obtained after comparison to amino acid sequence of BTV-8 VP2 protein. The peptide sequences KLLAA, KALAT, KLAAT and KLLAT were synthesized and identified by indirect ELISA. KLLAA and KLLAT bound strongly with supernatant and as cites of 3G11 cells and reacted specifically with BTV-8 positive standard sera. Further sequence analysis showed that amino acid sequence 283LL284 was conserved among different serotypes of BTV-8 strains, and283LL284 was the key amino acids of antigen epitopes recognized by 3G11. This study laid the foundation to establish type 8 BTV specific immunological detection methods.

Abstract:H9 subtype avian influenza virus causes worldwide epidemic, resulting in enormous economic losses of poultry production. In the present study, an indirect ELISA method was established for more accurate and specific detection. The recombinant protein of the globular head domain of HA of H9 subtype avian influenza virus was used as antigen. Specific blocking buffers and dilution buffers were determined to increase the sensitivity and specificity. The sensitivity of ELISA was higher than that of hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test. The coating antigen is very specific and no cross-reactivity with positive serum against H3N2, H5N2 and H7N9 subtype influenza viruses, Newcastle disease virus, avian infectious bronchitis virus, avian infectious disease virus, and egg drop syndrome virus. Two hundred of clinical sera samples were examined. The results indicate the coincidence rate between ELISA and HI test reached 97%. In addition, there was a positive correlation between OD450 values and the logarithm of HI titer to the base 2 of an individual serum sample (R2=0.981 1).

Abstract:Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) has been recently recognized as an emerging viral pathogen that causes diarrhea in newborn piglets. A total of 254 small intestinal or fecal samples collected from 10 provinces including Henan, Hunan, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Anhui, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Jiangsu, Shandong and Shanghai between 2014 and 2015, were screened by quantitative RT-PCR targeting the viral M gene. Eleven PDCoV positive samples were identified with a total positive rate of 4.33%. An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed based on the recombinant S1 protein of PDCoV. This assay was used to test 609 serum samples of pigs with diarrhea symptoms collected from 10 provinces between 2015 and 2016. The positive rate of PDCoV antibody was 44.17% (269/609). The two methods can be used to monitor the PDCoV epidemiology in the levels of PDCoV specific RNA or antibody, helping better prevent and control PDCoV.

Abstract:To obtain specific antibodies against nsp4 protein of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), nsp4 gene was amplified by RT-PCR and cloned into pET-28a(+) vector, designated pET28a-nsp4. pET28a-nsp4 was transformed into Escherichia coli Trasseta (DE3) cells and expressed after induction of IPTG. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the recombinant protein was expressed in soluble form with the molecular weight of 26 kDa. The soluble fusion protein in the supernatant was purified using Ni+-NTA affinity chromatography. New Zealand rabbits were immunized by the purified nsp4 and anti-sera against nsp4 were obtained. The titer of polyclonal antibodies was about 106 and showed good specificity and sensitivity in the immunofluorescence assay and Western blotting analysis. The polyclonal antibodies also recognized native nsp4 form PRRSV infected Marc-145 cells, providing a useful tool in PRRSV replication mechanism study.

Abstract:To develop a clinical diagnosis technique for bluetongue virus infection, we established serotype-specific methods to detect serotype 4 of bluetongue virus (BTV-4). Two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against VP2 protein of BTV-4, named 4A-1G7 and 4B-1B6, were used as competitive antibodies in the competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (C-ELISA). We detected 50 negative serum samples from sheep, goats and cattle by C-ELISA. The cut-off values of 4A-1G7 and 4B-1B6 mAbs were 49% and 40%, respectively. The results of the sensitivity, specificity and repeatability by detecting standard positive serum, were consistent with the general standard of Office International Des Epizooties. Furthermore, serum samples of BTV-4, BTV-18 and BTV-20 infection could be screened out through the combined C-ELISAs by 4A-1G7 and 4B-1B6 mAbs. Thus, this technique may diagnose BTV-4, BTV-18 and BTV-20 infections.

Abstract:In this study, a multiplex RT-PCR method was developed for detection of seven diarrhea-associated porcine viruses, including porcine teschovirus (PTV), porcine sapovirus (PSV), porcine deltacornavirus (PDCoV), porcine kobuvirus (PKV), porcine sapovirus (PSaV), porcine astrovirus (PAstV) and porcine torovirus (PToV). A total of 419 samples were screened by this method and results showed that PKV had the highest positive rate of 26.98%?45.79% and its mixed infection rate reached 9.52%–18.54%. On account of high positive rate of PKV and its important role in diarrhea disease, complete genomic sequences of three PKV positive samples were further sequenced. Three PKV labeled as PD-PKV, JS-PKV and CM-PKV were classified into porcine kobuvirus genus and had far genetic distance with other kobuviruses. The complete genome homologies among them were 88.1%–89.1%. CM-PKV had the highest identity with the Chinese strain JS-02a-CHN/2013 reported in 2013 while JS-PKV and PD-PKV were most closed to the K-30-HUN/2008/HUN strain reported in Hungary in 2008. This illustrates the significant genetic differences of the different PKV isolates in Shanghai while its relationship with the viral pathogenicity still needs to be explored. This research provides references for further understanding the prevalence of PKV and its role in swine diarrhea.

Abstract:Laminin (LN) proteins are important components of extracellular matrix. These proteins regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and tissue repair. The LN family has 12 genes that encode 5 α, 4 β, and 3 γ proteins. LamininA5 (LAMA5) as an important gene can support pluripotent cell growth and have been widely studied. However, porcine LAMA5 is absent in all tested porcine genomic databases so far. In this study, we confirmed for the first time the existence of porcine LAMA5 through bioinformatics analysis, and verified this result by cDNA cloning and sequencing. To reveal the expression pattern of Laminin gene family, we detected the expression of Laminin genes in porcine tissues, somatic cells, and porcine induced pluripotent stem cells (piPSCs). The results showed that an alternative splicing variant of Laminin B1 (LAMB1-a) was found exclusively in all tested piPSCs. The expression of this alternative splicing variant is positively correlated with the pluripotent state of piPSCs. The above findings provide evidences and foundations for the father use of LN as extracellular matrix to facilitate the derivation and culture of porcine pluripotent stem cells.

Abstract:Although there are 125 predicted DNase Ⅱ-like family genes in the Trichinella spiralis genome, plancitoxin-1-like (Ts-Pt) contains the HKD motif, a typical conserved region of DNase Ⅱ, in N- and C-terminal. It is generally believed that histidine is the active site in DNase Ⅱ. To study the nuclease activity of recombinant Ts-Pt with mutations in the active site from T. spiralis, different fragments of the mutated Ts-Pt genes were cloned using overlap PCR technique and inserted into the expressing vector pET-28a(+), and transformed into Escherichia coli Rosseta (DE3). The fusion proteins were purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography and SDS-PAGE. Nuclease activity of the recombinant proteins was detected by agarose gel electrophoresis and nuclease-zymography. The recombinant plasmids harboring the mutated Ts-Pt genes were constructed and expressed as inclusive body in a prokaryotic expression system. After renaturation in vitro, the recombinant proteins had no nuclease activity according to agarose gel electrophoresis. However, the expressed proteins as inclusive body displayed the ability to degrade DNA after renaturation in gel. And the nuclease activity was not affected after subjected to mutation of active site in N- and C-termini of Ts-Pt. These results provide the basis to study the relationship between DNase Ⅱ-like protein family and infection of T. spiralis.

Abstract:Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) inhibits the host typeⅠinterferon and cellular antiviral response, but its inhibition mechanism is unclear, and the roles of PEDV nonstructural proteins in regulating typeⅠinterferon responses have been seldom studied. To study the effect of nsp1 on typeⅠinterferon response, nsp1 gene was cloned into a eukaryotic expression vector pCAGGS. The expression of nsp1 in transfected cells was determined by Western blot and indirect immunofluorescence assay. The effects of nsp1 on the induction of typeⅠinterferon were evaluated by dual luciferase reporter gene assay, ELISA and VSV bioassay. Western blot and indirect immunofluorescence assay showed that nsp1 was highly expressed in transfected cells and PEDV-infected cells. Dual luciferase reporter gene assay results indicated that nsp1 strongly inhibited the IFN-β promoter activity, and the inhibitory effect was nsp1 dose-dependent. ELISA results showed that nsp1 significantly inhibited the expression of IFN-β in protein level. And VSV replication-inhibition bioassay revealed that nsp1 significantly inhibited typeⅠIFN antiviral activities induced by poly(I:C). Our results implied that nsp1 was a highly conserved protein of PEDV and exhibited antagonistic function on interferon promoter activity. The results have laid a foundation for further understanding the immune evasion mechanism of PEDV and for developing new effective vaccine against PEDV.

Abstract:Flagellin can be expressed in monomeric or polymeric form based on assembly. The difference of these two forms of flagellin is less studied. In this experiment, recombinant plasmid pET-fliC/M2e2 was transferred into Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) and Salmonella SL5928 to express chimeric flagellin, mfliC/M and pfliC/M, respectively, and then their assembly characteristics were analyzed. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis results indicated that the two recombinant bacteria could successfully express chimeric flagellin. The transmission electronic microscope observation showed that no flagella were found on the surface of recombinant E. coli, whereas it was found for recombinant Salmonella. After purification, distinct circular dichroism spectra between them were found and pfliC/M showed the similar structure as wild-type flagellin, but not for mfliC/M. The dynamic light scattering assay also indicated that the polymerization of mfliC/M was much lower than that for pfliC/M. Three hours after transfection into mouse peritoneal macrophages, both could induce interleukin 1β secretion, but mfliC/M is stronger than pfliC/M. These data will be helpful for the selection of expression form of flagellin.