Muscle Transcriptome Sequencing Revealed Thermal Stress-Responsive Regulatory Genes in Farmed Rohu, Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822).

Rohu, Labeo rohita, is one of the most important aquaculture species in the Indian subcontinent. Understanding the molecular-level physiological responses to thermal stress or climate change is essential. In the present work, transcriptome sequencing was carried out in the muscle tissue of the rohu in response to heat stress (35 °C) in comparison with the control (28 °C). A total of 125 Gb of sequence data was generated, and the raw-reads were filtered and trimmed, which resulted in 484 million quality reads. Reference-based assembly of reads was performed using L. rohita genome, and a total of 90.17% of reads were successfully mapped. A total of 37,462 contigs were assembled with an N50 value of 1854. The differential expression analysis revealed a total of 107 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (15 up-, 37 down-, and 55 neutrally regulated) as compared to the control group (Log2FC > 2, P < 0.05). Gene enrichment analysis of DEGs indicates that transcripts were associated with molecular, biological, and cellular activities. The randomly selected differentially expressed transcripts were validated by RT-qPCR and found consistent expression patterns in line with the RNA-seq data. Several transcripts such as SERPINE1(HSP47), HSP70, HSP90alpha, Rano class II histocompatibility A beta, PGC-1 and ERR-induced regulator, proto-oncogene c-Fos, myozenin2, alpha-crystallin B chain-like protein, angiopoietin-like protein 8, and acetyl-CoA carboxylases have been identified in muscle tissue of rohu that are associated with stress/immunity. This study identified the key biomarker SERPINE1 (HSP47), which showed significant upregulation (~ 2- to threefold) in muscle tissue of rohu exposed to high temperature. This study can pave a path for the identification of stress-responsive biomarkers linked with thermal adaptations in the farmed carps.

Genetic group and swim-up processing affect SYBR Green real-time PCR-based porcine semen sex ratio in Landrace and its crossbred boars.

Determination of factors affecting sex ratio is important while considering application of sex ratio enrichment approach. Present study aimed to design a SYBR Green qPCR-based method for measurement of primary sex ratio and to evaluate different factors (genetic group, sire, spermiogenic cycle and processing layer) affecting boar sperm sex ratio. The qPCR was based on relative copy number analysis of sex chromosome-specific single copy gene fragments with an autosomal gene as reference and was evaluated using DNA dilution series from pigs with numerically normal karyotype. The sex ratio was estimated from genomic DNA samples isolated from boar semen collected from different genetic groups at different time points and different processing layers. The X chromosome frequencies of semen samples revealed significant effect of genetic group. However, significant variation was observed neither within same genetic group nor between ejaculates of different spermatogenic cycles. Among the processing techniques studied, swim-up technique produced a significant X sperm enrichment in comparison to control whereas, Percoll density gradient failed to show any significant difference among layers. The lower layer in swim-up technique was found to contain higher proportion of X sperms. The designed qPCR is found to be an easy, less time-consuming method and does not require high end laboratory facilities or the specialized expertise. The lower layer of swim-up processing has a scope for X sperm enrichment in boar semen with proper validation.

Differential expression of ten candidate genes regulating prostaglandin action in reproductive tissues of buffalo during estrous cycle and pregnancy.

Prostaglandins (PGs) are the key mediators of several female reproductive functions, including luteolysis, ovulation, fertilization, implantation, pregnancy, and parturition. The present study was conducted in buffalo endometrial and luteal tissues between nonpregnant and two stages of pregnancy (29-38 days of pregnancy, 48-56 days of pregnancy) tissue samples. The genes involved from synthesis upto receptor level effect of PGs (PGF2α and PGE2) were studied for their relative mRNA expression. We have collected the endometrial and luteal tissues from slaughtered animals and confirmed the stages by external examination and crown vertebral rump length measurement of the foetus. The mRNA expression of COX-2 and PGFS genes revealed high significant rise in the transcript at pregnancy stage I as compared to the late luteal phase of nonpregnant. However, EP2 and EP3 genes were highly upregulated in pregnancy stage II. The expression of PLA2G4A and PGT genes showed difference in their transcripts in pregnancy, however, the difference was nonsignificant as compared to the nonpregnant stage. The findings emerged from this study also suggested the strict regulation at COX-2 mRNA level than at synthase enzyme's level. Among the four subtypes of EP gene, we have observed highly significant expression difference in EP2 followed by EP3 after implantation.

Rapid detection of bovine herpesvirus 1 in bovine semen by loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay.

Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) is the most common viral pathogen found in bovine semen, causing numerous reproductive disorders leading to economic losses to the cattle industry. For rapid detection of BoHV-1 in bovine semen, in this study, we applied a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay. The assay could be completed within 90 min, including total DNA isolation, target amplification, and visual interpretation of positive or negative results with the naked eye. The assay detected as little as 10 fg of BoHV-1 DNA per reaction. The analytical sensitivity of the assay was 0.2 TCID50 BoHV-1 per reaction, which was 100 times more sensitive than conventional PCR and comparable to TaqMan real-time PCR. The applicability of the assay was assessed by analysing 118 semen samples collected from breeding bulls. On comparison with TaqMan real-time PCR, the LAMP assay had a diagnostic sensitivity of 97 %, specificity of 100 %, and accuracy of 99.2 % for detection of BoHV-1 in bovine semen. The LAMP assay developed in this study is a rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective alternative for detection of BoHV-1 in bovine semen.

Protection of mice against lethal rabies virus challenge using short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) delivered through lentiviral vector.

The antiviral potential of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting rabies virus (RV) polymerase (L) and nucleoprotein (N) genes delivered through lentiviral vector was investigated. For in vitro evaluation, siRNAs expressing BHK-21 cell lines (BHK-L and BHK-N) were developed using transduction with Lenti-L and Lenti-N lentiviruses encoding siRNAs against RV-L and N genes, respectively. When these cell lines were challenged in vitro with RV Pasteur virus-11 (PV-11) strain, there was reduction in number of RV-specific foci and target gene transcripts indicating inhibitory effect on RV multiplication. For in vivo evaluation, mice were treated intracerebrally with lentiviruses and challenged with 20 LD50 of RV challenge virus standard-11 (CVS-11) strain by intramuscular route in masseter muscle. Five out of eight mice treated with Lenti-N survived indicating 62.5 % protection. The control and Lenti-L-treated mice died within 7-10 days indicating lethal nature of challenge virus and no protection. These results demonstrated that siRNA targeting RV-N could not only inhibit RV multiplication, but also conferred protection in mice against lethal RV challenge. These findings have implication on therapeutic use of siRNA targeting RV-N against RV infection.

Evaluation of single and dual siRNAs targeting rabies virus glycoprotein and nucleoprotein genes for inhibition of virus multiplication in vitro.

Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting rabies virus (RV) glycoprotein (G) and nucleoprotein (N) genes were evaluated as antiviral agents against rabies virus in vitro in BHK-21 cells. To select effective siRNAs targeting RV-G, a plasmid-based transient co-transfection approach was used. In this, siRNAs were expressed as short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs), and their ability to inhibit RV-G gene expression was evaluated in cells transfected with a plasmid expressing RV-G. The nine different siRNAs designed to target RV-G exhibited varying degrees of knockdown of RV-G gene expression. One siRNA (si-G7) with considerable effect in knockdown of RV-G expression also demonstrated significant inhibition of RV multiplication in BHK-21 cells after in vitro challenge with the RV Pasteur virus-11 (PV-11) strain. A decrease in the number of fluorescent foci in siRNA-treated cells and a reduction (86.8 %) in the release of RV into infected cell culture supernatant indicated the anti-rabies potential of siRNA. Similarly, treatment with one siRNA targeting RV-N resulted in a decrease in the number of fluorescent foci and a reduction (85.9 %) in the release of RV. As a dual gene silencing approach where siRNAs targeting RV-G and RV-N genes were expressed from single construct, the anti-rabies-virus effect was observed as an 87.4 % reduction in the release of RV. These results demonstrate that siRNAs targeting RV-G and N, both in single and dual form, have potential as antiviral agent against rabies.

Intracerebral delivery of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) using adenoviral vector protects mice against lethal peripheral rabies challenge.

To investigate the potential of RNA interference (RNAi) as antiviral agent against rabies, two small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting rabies virus (RABV) nucleoprotein (N) and polymerase (L) genes were designed and evaluated. Both siRNAs knockdown or silenced the target RABV genes as evaluated in a plasmid based transient expression model. For efficient delivery, adenoviruses expressing the siRNAs were constructed and antiviral potential of the delivered siRNAs was investigated in BHK-21 cells. When cells treated with adenoviruses expressing siRNAs were challenged with RABV, there was 88.35±2.4% and 41.52±9.3% reduction in RABV multiplication in infected cells with siRNAs targeting RABV-N and L genes, respectively. Relative quantification of RABV transcripts using real-time PCR revealed knockdown of both RABV-N and L gene transcripts, however, significant reduction was observed only with adenovirus expressing siRNA against RABV-N. When mice treated intracerebrally with adenoviruses expressing siRNAs were challenged peripherally with lethal RABV by the intramuscular route in masseter muscle, there was 66.6% and 33.3% protection with adenoviruses expressing siRNAs against RABV-N and L genes, respectively. These results demonstrated that adenovirus expressing siRNA against RABV-N efficiently inhibited the RABV multiplication both, in vitro and in vivo and conferred significant protection against lethal RABV challenge. This supported the hypothesis that RNAi, based on siRNA targeting RABV-N gene can prevent RABV infection and holds the potential of RNAi as an approach to prevent rabies infection.

Inhibition of rabies virus multiplication by siRNA delivered through adenoviral vector in vitro in BHK-21 cells and in vivo in mice.

To evaluate antiviral potential of adenoviral vector-delivered small interfering RNA (siRNA) against rabies, recombinant, replication-defective adenoviral vectors (rAdV) encoding siRNAs targeting rabies virus (RV) polymerase (L) and nucleoprotein (N) genes were developed. The siRNAs were delivered as small hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) through these vectors. Treatment of BHK-21 cells with rAdV expressing siRNA targeting L gene (rAdV-L) and N gene (rAdV-N) (100 MOI) and their subsequent infection with RV (0.001 MOI, RV PV-11), reduced RV fluorescent foci by 48.2% (mean±SEM; 48.17±0.6540, N=6) and 41.8% (mean±SEM; 41.83±0.3073, N=6), respectively, with respect to that of BHK-21 cells treated with rAdV expressing negative control siRNA (rAdV-Neg) indicating inhibition of multiplication of RV in BHK-21 cells in response to adenoviral vector mediated siRNA delivery. Also, the similar treatment of BHK-21 cells with rAdV-L and rAdV-N and similar subsequent infection of them with RV resulted in reduction in RV mRNA transcript levels for their respective targets (RV L gene for rAdV-L and N gene for rAdV-N). mRNA transcript level for RV L gene was reduced by 17.88-fold (mean±SEM; 17.88±0.06638, N=6) in cells treated with rAdV-L and that for RV N gene was reduced by 5.7-fold (mean±SEM; 5.7±0.04472, N=6), in cells treated with rAdV-N, in comparison with that in cells treated with rAdV-Neg, as analyzed by using real-time PCR. These in vitro studies showed that between these two, adenoviral vector mediated delivery of siRNA targeting RV L gene was comparatively more effective in inhibiting RV multiplication in BHK-21 cells than that of siRNA targeting RV N gene (p<0.0001). Localized treatment (intramuscular injection in masseter muscle) of mice with 10(7) plaque forming units of either rAdV-L or rAdV-N and subsequent lethal RV infection (15-20LD(50) of CVS-11) at the same site, through the same route, although resulted in 50% protection (3 out of 6 mice survived) against lethal rabies, the survival patterns for groups of mice treated with either rAdV-L or rAdV-N and that treated with rAdV-Neg did not differ significantly (p=0.5234). These results indicated that adenoviral vector mediated siRNA delivery, in vitro in BHK-21 cells inhibited RV multiplication in vitro in BHK-21 cells; siRNA targeting RV L gene used in this study was comparatively more efficient in doing this than that targeting RV N gene used in this study; in vivo in mice inhibited RV multiplication in mice and imparted partial protection against lethal rabies and so it may have a potential to be used as an alternative antiviral approach against rabies, although further study is required to establish its efficacy for this purpose.

Molecular characterization of lapinized classical Swine Fever vaccine strain by full-length genome sequencing and analysis.

The complete genome of a lapinized classical swine fever virus (CSFV) vaccine strain was amplified into nine overlapping fragments by RT-PCR, and nucleotide sequences were determined. Complete genome sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis indicated 92.6-98.6% identities at the nucleotide level with other reported CSFV strains and could be grouped into subgroup 1.1 along with other attenuated strains of CSFV. The 5'-UTR demonstrated >97.0% nucleotide similarity with most of vaccine CSFV strains from China. Further, its 3'-UTR sequence indicated a length similar to all the CSFV strains from China with >98.0% nucleotide similarity, although high length heterogeneity of 3'-UTR was reported among different CSFV strains. There was 12 nt (TTTTCTTTTTTT) insertion in 3'-UTR similar to other reported attenuated vaccine strains. However, secondary structure of 3'-UTR indicated that Indian CSFV strain requires further passage to obtain a 3'-UTR structure similar to most of the attenuated strains.

Induction of immune responses and protection in mice against rabies using a self-replicating RNA vaccine encoding rabies virus glycoprotein.

A self-replicating RNA vaccine encoding rabies virus glycoprotein gene was developed utilizing sindbis virus RNA replicon. The in vitro transcribed RNA (Sin-Rab-G RNA) was transfected in mammalian cells and analysed for self-replication and expression of rabies glycoprotein. To generate immune responses against rabies, mice were immunized with 10microg of Sin-Rab-G RNA and immune responses developed were compared with mice immunized with rabies DNA vaccine and commercial cell culture vaccine (Rabipur). The self-replicating rabies RNA vaccine generated cellular and humoral IgG responses similar to rabies DNA vaccine. On challenge with rabies virus CVS strain, rabies RNA vaccine conferred protection similar to rabies DNA vaccine. These results demonstrated that replicon-based self-replicating rabies RNA vaccine with 10microg dose was effective in inducing immune responses and protection similar to rabies DNA vaccine.

A sindbis virus replicon-based DNA vaccine encoding the rabies virus glycoprotein elicits immune responses and complete protection in mice from lethal challenge.

A sindbis virus replicon-based DNA vaccine encoding rabies virus glycoprotein (G) was developed by subcloning rabies G gene into a sindbis virus replicon-based vaccine vector (pAlpha). The self-amplification of RNA transcripts and translation efficiency of rabies G was analyzed in pAlpha-Rab-G-transfected mammalian cells using RT-PCR, SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis. The transfected cells also showed induction of apoptosis which is an important event in the enhancement of immune responses. Further, immune responses induced with replicon-based rabies DNA vaccine (pAlpha-Rab-G) was compared with conventional rabies DNA vaccine and commercial cell culture vaccine (Rabipur) in intramuscularly injected mice. The mice immunized with replicon-based rabies DNA vaccine induced humoral and cell mediated immune responses better than conventional rabies DNA vaccine however, comparable to Rabipur vaccine. On challenge with rabies virus CVS strain, replicon-based rabies DNA vaccine conferred complete protection similar to Rabipur. These results demonstrate that replicon-based rabies DNA vaccine is effective in inducing both humoral and cellular immune responses and can be considered as effective vaccine against rabies.