Contamination of cell cultures with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV).

The incidence of contamination of cell strains used in biological and virological studies and of fetal calf sera (FCS) manufactured by Russian and foreign companies used for cell culturing with noncytocidal bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV; Pestivirus, Flaviviridae) was analyzed. The virus was detected by reverse transcription PCR and indirect immunofluorescence with monoclonal antibodies to BVDV virion envelope glycoprotein in 25% of 117 cell strains and 45% of 35 tested FCS lots. The virus multiplied and persisted in a wide spectrum of human cell strains and in monkey, swine, sheep, rabbit, dog, cat, and other animal cells. The levels of BVDV genome RNA in contaminated cell cultures reached 10(2)-10(3) g-eq/cell and in serum samples 10(3)-10(7) g-eq/ml. These facts necessitate testing of cells and FCS for BVDV reproduced in cells without signs of infection detectable by light microscopy. The molecular mechanisms of long-term virus persistence in cells without manifestation of cell destruction are unknown.

[Analysis of the cell tissue culture contamination with the bovine viral diarrhea virus and mycoplasmas].

Different cell tissue cultures and commercial fetal calf sera (FTS) used in biological and virological research were screened for the bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV, Pestivirus genus, Flaviviridae family) and mycoplasma contamination. BVDV was detected using RT-PCR and Indirect immunofluorescence (with monoclonal antibodies) methods in 33% cases of the studied cell lines and in > 60% cases of FCS. BVDV was shown to present and reproduce in high spectra of human cell lines, as well as in monkey, pig, rabbit, goat, dog, and cat cells at high levels (up to 100-1000 genome-equivalent copies per cell) and reached up to 10(3)-10(7) genome-equivalent copies per serum ml. The molecular mechanisms of the long virus persistence without definite signs of destruction should be studied.

Enhanced expression of trim14 gene suppressed Sindbis virus reproduction and modulated the transcription of a large number of genes of innate immunity.

In the present research, we have studied an influence of enhanced expression TRIM14 on alphavirus Sindbis (SINV, Togaviridae family) infection. In the HEK293 cells transfected with human trim14 gene (HEK-trim14), SINV yield after infection was decreased 1000-10,000 times (3-4 lg of TCD50/ml) at 24 h p.i. and considerably less (1-2 lg of TCD50/ml) at 48 h p.i. Analysis of the expression of 43 genes directly or indirectly involved in innate immune machine in HEK-trim14 non-infected cells comparing with the control (non-transfected) HEK293 cells revealed that stable trim14 transfection in HEK293 cells caused increased transcription of 18 genes (ifna, il6 (ifnß2), isg15, raf-1, NF-kB (nf-kb1, rela, nf-kb2, relb), grb2, grb3-3, traf3ip2, junB, c-myb, pu.1, akt1, tyk2, erk2, mek2) and lowered transcription of 3 genes (ifnγ, gata1, il-17a). The similar patterns of genes expression observe in SINV-infected non-transfected HEK293 cells. However, SINV infection of HEK-trim14 cells caused inhibition of the most interferon cascade genes as well as subunits of transcription factor NF-κB. Thus, stable enhanced expression of trim14 gene in cells activates the transcription of many immunity genes and suppresses the SINV reproduction, but SINV infection of HEK-trim14 cells promotes inhibition of some genes involved in innate immune system.

[Use of probes containing cloned genes of the Karelian fever virus in detecting viral genetic material in infected cells by a molecular hybridization method]. / Ispol'zovanie zondov, soderzhashchikh klonirovannyye geny virusa karel'skov likhoradki, dlia vyiavleniia geneticheskogo materiala virusa v zarazhennykh kletkakh metodom molekuliarnoi gibridizatsii.

Two plasmid DNA-probes containing DNA-replicas of KFV genes (clone 1-protein E1 gene, clone 9--proteins E1 and P1 genes of KFV) were used for detection of the genetic material of Karelian fever virus (KFV) in the infected cells and study of the time course of accumulation of virus-specific RNAs in the process of infection. The detection was performed by the method of RNA:DNA dot-hybridization. Both probes were hybridized with KFV and Sindbis virus RNA in equal amounts--5 X 10(2) infected cells at the peak of virus infection (12 hours). None of the probes used could be bound with RNA of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus. The results obtained by the dot-hybridization method agree with previously published data on the antigenic relationship between Sindbis virus and KFV.

[Methods of isolating and selecting recombinant vaccinia viruses expressing heterogenetic viral antigens]. / Metody polucheniia i selektsii rekombinantov virusov ospovaktsiny, ékspressiruiushchikh chuzherodnye virusnye antigeny.

The paper describes a method using plasmid construction pSC11 for generation of recombinant vaccinia viruses supporting coexpression of heterologous genes and beta-galactosidase. The Ca2+-phosphate method of cell transfection by recombinant DNAs generated on the basis of pSC11, and selection of recombinant viruses from blue plaques of virus-infected cells in the presence of X-gala are reported at length.

[The isolation and identification of the Sindbis virus from migratory birds in Estonia]. / Vydelenie i identifikatsiia virusa Sindbis ot pereletnykh ptits v Estonii.

The data on isolation from birds and identification of two strains of alphaviruses in Estonia in the territory of Vilsandy natural reserve are presented. Electron microscopy of purified virions allowed the isolates to be classified into the family of togaviruses, and serological identification (neutralization test, CFT) using polyvalent sera and monoclonal antibody showed them to belong to Sindbis virus.

[Sindbis viruses of various geographic origin and differentiation of them from Western equine encephalomyelitis viruses using the polymerase chain reaction]. / Virusy sindbis raznogo geograficheskogo proiskhozhdeniia i differentsirovanie ikh ot virusov zapadnogo éntsefalomielita loshadei metodom polimeraznoi tsepnoi reaktsii.

Comparison of Sindbis virus strains isolated in different regions of the world (in Africa, Australia, and Europe, including Russia and its nearest neighbors) in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) by the primary gene structure of proteins NSP1 and E1 and in the neutralization test showed the greatest similarity between geographically close strains isolated in Northern Europe (KFL, Karelia, 1381 and 1388, Estonia). Sindbis strains AR339 and Babanki isolated in Africa were similar to each other and to strains from Northern Europe by the examined gene sites but different from the Northern variants in the neutralization test. Geographically remote strains F-720 (Armenia and Southern Europe) and Whataroa (New Zealand) were close to Sindbis virus from Africa and Northern Europe by only one of the genes examined (F-720 by NSP1 and Whataroa by E1). PCR was carried out using oligonucleotide primers containing nucleotide sequences identical to genes NSP1 and E1 sites of Sindbis strains HRSP, Okelbo, and KFL, but different from gene sites of other known representatives of alphaviruses by at least 5 positions. PCR analysis showed that the appurtenance of the geographic variants to Sindbis group can be ascertained only after investigating the homology of at least two genes coding for the replicative and structural proteins. Such a procedure of PCR permits the detection of Sindbis viruses of different geographic origin with changes in their primary structure and allows the differentiation between Sindbis viruses and Western equine encephalomyelitis viruses within the serological complex.

[Similarities and differences between western equine encephalomyelitis viruses with respect to genes for nonstructural protein NSP2 and structural proteins C and E2]. / Skhodstvo i razlichie virusov zapadnogo éntsefalomielita loshadei po genam nestrukturnogo belka NSP2 i strukturnykh belkov C i E2.

Genetic relationships of geographical isolates of the members of WEE virus serocomplex (McMillan, Fort Morgan, Highlands J, and Y62-33) were assessed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction analysis of the PCR products. Oligonucleotide primers (21 nucleotides in length) were chosen for NSP2, nucleocapsid C, and E2-E1 protein genes based on the known primary structure of the McMillan 16310-5614 genome (L. Uryvayev et al., 1994, 1995). These primers were shown to differentiate well the WEE and SV-like strains of the serocomplex. Y62-33 virus (Udmurtia, Russia) was identical to McMillan strain in three studied regions of NSP2, C, and E2-E1 genes. NSP2 gene could be detected in all the studied geographical isolates and was characterized by the same restriction patterns as endonucleases; it appeared to be the most conservative. The structural genes were less conservative. Fort Morgan virus (Colorado, USA) genome reliably differed from McMillan virus (California, USA) and was negative in PCR with primers to C and E2 gene regions. Highlands J genome (Florida, USA) was positive in PCR with the primers to E2-E1 gene regions but differed from McMillan strain by the nucleocapsid gene. An additional comparative PCR analysis of the C-E2 region in the McMillan and Highlands J genomes showed some, but not complete identity. The origin of these two viruses might be due to the selection of different forms of recombinant viruses. A good correlation of structural genes in PCR and the infectivity neutralization test was noted with the primers and polyclonal antibodies to the closely related strains. High specificity of PCR permits a more accurate detection of the virus origin and relationships.

[A comparative analysis of the polypeptides of the the Sindbis and Karelian fever viruses]. / Sravnitel'nyi analiz polipeptidov virusov Sindbis i karel'skoi likhoradki.

In pulse-chase experiments with Karelian fever virus-infected cells, proteins were found with molecular weights of 130, 98, 78, and 62 kD of which the first, second and fourth were classified as polypeptide precursors of the structural proteins of virion. The molecular weights of proteins E1, E2 and C of 52, 47 and 34 kD, respectively, as well as isoelectric points of isolated glycoproteins (pI E1 = 6.3, pI E2 = 8.4) were similar in KFV (strain Leiv-9298) and Sindbis virus (strain AR339). The antigenic similarity of the strains under study in neutralization test with hyperimmune sera, the identity of physicochemical characteristics of the structural proteins of KFV and prototype Sindbis virus strain suggest a close relationship of the Leiv-9298 strain to the Afro-European variants of Sindbis virus.

[Demonstration of the influenza virus A RNA by nucleic acid molecular hybridization using biotin-treated probes]. / Vyiavlenie RNK virusa grippa A metodom molekuliarnoi gibridizatsii nukleinovykh kislot s ispol'zovaniem biotinirovannykh zondov.

A probe containing full-size DNA copy of influenza A/USSR/90/70 virus protein gene M labeled with biotin on 32P was used for influenza A virus RNA detection by dot hybridization method. For labeling with biotin, a new method of its administration by chemical modification of nucleic acid was employed. In homologous DNA:DNA hybridization the sensitivity of determinations was less than 1 pg in the biotin-treatment of the probe and 1.25 pg in its radioactive labeling. Hybridization of DNA probe with cytoplasmic RNA isolated from influenza A virus-infected (strains A/USSR/90/77 and A/Texas/77) MDCK cells revealed RNA in the dot corresponding to 4.5-5.5 1g ID50 of virus present in 2 x 10(4) cells. The probe did not bind with negative controls in any dot in all the tests. The results of the study indicate that DNA probes labeled with biotin and 32P and used in dot hybridization for influenza A virus RNA detection in infected cells show the similar sensitivity and specificity.

[Monoclonal antibodies to the Karelian fever virus. The characteristics of their biological properties]. / Monoklonal'nye antitela k virusu karel'skoi likhoradki. Kharakteristika biologicheskikh svoistv.

Biological properties of 6 variants of monoclonal antibodies (MAb) to Karelian fever virus, a member of the alpha-virus serocomplex Sindbis-WEE, produced by the available hybridomas. The productivity of hybridomas of the "Karel" series in tissue culture and in cultivation as ascitic fluid was evaluated. Among the antibodies analysed, all were specific to envelope proteins, of them 2 were against protein E2 and four against protein E1. Comparison of MCA biologic activity (neutralizing, antihemagglutinating activities, participation in immunofluorescence, EIA, and immune blotting) allows one to distinguish four different hybridomas among them producing specific antibodies differing in their properties.

[Analysis of the primary structure of segments of the Karelian fever virus genome]. / Analiz pervichnoi struktury uchastkov genoma virusa karel'skoi likhoradki.

Primary structure of two parts of Karelian fever virus (KFV) genome (29-57 nt and 10507-11591 nt) cloned in recombinant plasmids has been studied and compared with that of Sindbis (HRSP strain) and Ockelbo viruses. Fifty-four nucleotide substitutes were revealed in the sequenced parts of KFV genome including partially 5' and 3'-nontranslated sites ( a total of 1613 nucleotides, or approximately 13.8% of the genome length), in comparison with the Sindbis virus prototype HRSP strain, this being in good correlation with strain variability. Eighteen nucleotide substitutes (96.4% homology) were detected in the NSP1 gene site (60-557 nt) of KFV in comparison with Sindbis virus and only 5 substitutes (98.8% homology) vs. Ockelbo virus. These data on primary structure of KFV genome reliably and unambiguously indicate the appurtenance of this virus to Sindbis-like viruses.