Evaluation of vaccine delivery systems for inducing long-lived antibody responses to Dermanyssus gallinae antigen in laying hens.

Dermanyssus gallinae, the poultry red mite, is a global threat to the commercial egg-laying industry. Control of D. gallinae is difficult, with only a limited number of effective pesticides and non-chemical treatments available. Here, we characterize the candidate vaccine antigen D. gallinae cathepsin D-1 (Dg-CatD-1) and demonstrate that purified refolded recombinant Dg-Cat-D1 (rDg-CatD-1) is an active aspartyl proteinase which digests haemoglobin with a pH optimum of pH 4. Soluble protein extracts from D. gallinae also have haemoglobinase activity, with a pH optimum comparable to the recombinant protein, and both proteinase activities were inhibited by the aspartyl proteinase inhibitor Pepstatin A. Enzyme activity and the ubiquitous localization of Dg-CatD-1 protein in sections of adult female mites is consistent with Dg-CatD-1 being a lysosomal proteinase. Using Dg-CatD-1 as a model vaccine antigen, we compared vaccine delivery methods in laying hens via vaccination with: (i) purified rDg-CatD-1 with Montanide™ ISA 71 VG adjuvant; (ii) recombinant DNA vaccines for expression of rDg-CatD-1 and (iii) transgenic coccidial parasite Eimeria tenella expressing rDg-CatD-1. In two independent trials, only birds vaccinated with rDg-CatD-1 with Montanide™ ISA 71 VG produced a strong and long-lasting serum anti-rDg-Cat-D1 IgY response, which was significantly higher than that in control birds vaccinated with adjuvant only. Furthermore, we showed that egg-laying rates of D. gallinae mites fed on birds vaccinated with rDg-CatD-1 in Montanide™ ISA 71 VG was reduced significantly compared with mites fed on unvaccinated birds. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS Dermanyssus gallinae cathepsin D-1 (Dg-CatD-1) digests haemoglobin Vaccination of hens with rDg-CatD-1 in Montanide™ ISA 71 VG results in long-lasting IgY levels Serum anti-rDg-CatD-1 antibodies reduce egg laying in D. gallinae after a single blood meal.

Piscine orthoreovirus can infect and shed through the intestine in experimentally challenged Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.).

Piscine orthoreovirus (PRV) is a ubiquitous virus in Norwegian salmon farms associated with the disease heart and skeletal muscle inflammation (HSMI). Experimental challenge has shown that the virus replicates in circulating red blood cells of Atlantic salmon prior to infecting heart myocytes. The infection route from water to blood is however still unknown. The related mammalian orthoreovirus primarily infects the lungs and gastrointestinal (GI) tract and is proposed to spread mainly through the faecal-oral route. To investigate the role of the salmonid GI tract in PRV-infection, oral and anal administration of virus was compared to intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection. When administered anally, PRV was transferred to blood 4 days post challenge (dpc) and levels peaked at 42 dpc, similar to i.p. injected fish. PRV was detected in heart and faeces with corresponding kinetics, and inflammatory heart lesions consistent with HSMI were observed from 49 dpc. The orally intubated group showed slower virus kinetics in both blood and heart, and no signs of HSMI. Compared to the oral and i.p. administration routes, leakage of virus inoculate by anal intubation was minor and challenge was restricted to the mid- and distal intestine. These findings show that anal intubation is an efficacious method for PRV delivery to the GI tract and demonstrates that PRV can establish infection through the intestine with the potential for transmission via faeces.

Infection experiments with novel Piscine orthoreovirus from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in salmonids.

A new disease in farmed rainbow trout (Onchorhyncus mykiss) was described in Norway in 2013. The disease mainly affected the heart and resembled heart and skeletal muscle inflammation (HSMI) in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.). HSMI is associated with Piscine orthoreovirus (PRV), and a search for a similar virus in the diseased rainbow trout led to detection of a sequence with 85% similarity to PRV. This finding called for a targeted effort to assess the risk the new PRV-variant pose on farmed rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon by studying infection and disease pathogenesis, aiming to provide more diagnostic knowledge. Based on the genetic relationship to PRV, the novel virus is referred to as PRV-Oncorhynchus mykiss (PRV-Om) in contrast to PRV-Salmo salar (PRV-Ss). In experimental trials, intraperitoneally injected PRV-Om was shown to replicate in blood in both salmonid species, but more effectively in rainbow trout. In rainbow trout, the virus levels peaked in blood and heart of cohabitants 6 weeks post challenge, along with increased expression of antiviral genes (Mx and viperin) in the spleen, with 80-100% of the cohabitants infected. Heart inflammation was diagnosed in all cohabitants examined 8 weeks post challenge. In contrast, less than 50% of the Atlantic salmon cohabitants were infected between 8 and 16 weeks post challenge and the antiviral response in these fish was very low. From 12 weeks post challenge and onwards, mild focal myocarditis was demonstrated in a few virus-positive salmon. In conclusion, PRV-Om infects both salmonid species, but faster transmission, more notable antiviral response and more prominent heart pathology were observed in rainbow trout.

Identification of a novel centrosome/microtubule-associated coiled-coil protein involved in cell-cycle progression and spindle organization.

Here we describe the identification of a novel vertebrate-specific centrosome/spindle pole-associated protein (CSPP) involved in cell-cycle regulation. The protein is predicted to have a tripartite domain structure, where the N- and C-terminal domains are linked through a coiled-coil mid-domain. Experimental analysis of the identified domains revealed that spindle association is dependent on the N-terminal and the coiled-coil mid domain. The expression of CSPP at the mRNA level was detected in all tested cell lines and in testis tissue. Ectopic expression of CSPP in HEK293T cells blocked cell-cycle progression in early G1 phase and in mitosis in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, mitosis-arrested cells contained aberrant spindles and showed impairment of chromosome congression. Inhibition of CSPP gene expression by small interfering RNAs induced cell-cycle arrest/delay in S phase. This phenotype was characterized by elevated levels of cyclin A, decreased levels of cyclin E and hyperphosphorylation of the S-phase checkpoint kinase Chk1. The activation of Chk1 may indicate a replication stress response due to an inappropriate G1/S-phase transition. Taken together, we demonstrate that CSPP is associated with centrosomes and microtubules and may play a role in the regulation of G(1)/S-phase progression and spindle assembly.

Chemokine receptors in Atlantic salmon.

Teleost sequence data have revealed that many immune genes have evolved differently when compared to other vertebrates. Thus, each gene family needs functional studies to define the biological role of individual members within major species groups. Chemokine receptors, being excellent markers for various leukocyte subpopulations, are one such example where studies are needed to decipher individual gene function. The unique salmonid whole genome duplication that occurred approximately 95 million years ago has provided salmonids with many additional duplicates further adding to the complexity and diversity. Here we have performed a systematic study of these receptors in Atlantic salmon with particular focus on potential inflammatory receptors. Using the preliminary salmon genome data we identified 48 chemokine or chemokine-like receptors including orthologues to the ten receptors previously published in trout. We found expressed support for 40 of the bona fide salmon receptors. Eighteen of the chemokine receptors are duplicated, and when tested against a diploid sister group the majority were shown to be remnants of the 4R whole genome duplication with subsequent high sequence identity. The salmon chemokine receptor repertoire of 40 expressed bona fide genes is comparably larger than that found in humans with 23 receptors. Diversification has been a major driving force for these duplicate genes with the main variability residing in ligand binding and signalling domains.

Evidence for the involvement of FAM110C protein in cell spreading and migration.

A number of factors, including protein kinases, Rho GTPases and actin and microtubule cytoskeletons play a crucial role in cell migration and spreading. We have recently shown that ectopic expression of FAM110C can alter cellular morphology by mechanisms yet to be determined. In this study, a FAM110C antiserum has been developed and used to study endogenously expressed FAM110C. Our data show that FAM110C is expressed by different cell lines and it can be detected throughout the cell. Interestingly, depletion of FAM110C by short interfering RNA reduced integrin-mediated filopodia formation, hepatocyte growth factor-induced migration, and phosphorylation of the Akt1 kinase in the epithelial cell line HepG2. Furthermore, co-immunoprecipitation and co-localization studies show that both ectopically and endogenously expressed FAM110C interact, or is part of a protein complex, with the Akt1 kinase. This interaction is transient and follows the activation of Akt1. In addition, we show that alpha-tubulin co-precipitates with FAM110C which further supports an interaction with the microtubule cytoskeleton. Collectively, these findings suggest a new function for FAM110C in the regulation of cell spreading, migration and filopodia induction.

Characterization of the FAM110 gene family.

We have previously characterized the centrosome/spindle pole-associated protein (CSPP) involved in cell cycle progression. The open reading frame C20orf55 was identified in a yeast two-hybrid screen in a search for CSPP-interacting proteins. A homology search revealed that C20orf55 belongs to a gene family consisting of three members that have not yet been described. The HUGO Nomenclature Committee has assigned these genes the names FAM110A-FAM110C. Studies of transfectants showed that the FAM110 proteins localized to centrosomes and accumulated at the microtubule organization center in interphase and at spindle poles in mitosis. In addition, overexpression of FAM110C induced microtubule aberrancies. Our data also indicated a cell cycle-regulated expression of FAM110A. Moreover, ectopic expression of FAM110B and FAM110C proteins impaired cell cycle progression in G1 phase. To summarize, we have characterized a novel family of genes encoding proteins with distinct conserved motifs, of which all members localize to centrosomes and spindle poles.

Characterization of a novel immunoglobulin-like domain containing receptor.

A not yet described gene was identified in a lymphoma specific subtraction strategy. Three splice variants of this gene denoted immunoglobulin-like domain containing receptor 1 (ILDR1) were identified and characterized. Cellular localization studies showed membrane-association for two of the variants, while the third was cytoplasmic and appeared to translocate to the membrane upon co-expression with any of the other two isoforms. ILDR1 shows approximately 30% homology to a recently described protein from rat, lipolysis stimulated receptor, that has been shown to bind low-density lipoprotein. The gene encoding ILDR1 is localized to chromosome 3q21.1 and it is expressed in prostate, testis, pancreas, kidney, liver, and heart. Interestingly, the shortest transcript corresponding to the cytoplasmic variant could only be detected in lymphoma samples and not in normal tissues or cell lines tested. The expression of this variant may therefore be related to the development and/or progression of cancer.