Reporter Virus Particles Research Articles

Analysis of Memory Antibody Responses in Individuals with Zika-Associated Guillain–Barré Syndrome

The Zika virus (ZIKV) was responsible for a major outbreak in 2015 in the Americas. Infections were associated with increased cases of microcephaly in infants and Guillain–Barré Syndrome (GBS) in adults. Our group previously demonstrated that Zika-associated GBS correlated with the increased neutralization of ZIKV and DENV2, but the antibody specificity was not analyzed. Here, we generated reporter virus particles (RVPs) of ZIKV with specific-point mutations that allowed us to investigate the specificity of circulating plasma antibodies at two different timepoints from individuals with Zika-associated GBS. We found that neutralizing antibody titers to ZIKV waned between one and two years post-ZIKV infection in GBS-negative but not GBS-positive individuals. Interestingly, plasma neutralization by GBS-negative individuals was more sensitive to a mutation at position N154A than plasma from GBS-positive individuals. To determine if waning was associated with different levels of B-cell activation at the time of infection, pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured, but no differences were observed in people with or without GBS. These data suggest subtle differences between GBS-positive and-negative individuals’ circulating antibodies, where antibodies from GBS-positive individuals may target different epitopes and remain in circulation longer as compared to GBS-negative individuals.

A reporter virus particle seroneutralization assay for tick-borne encephalitis virus overcomes ELISA limitations.

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus is the most prevalent tick-transmitted orthoflavivirus in Europe. Due to the nonspecific nature of its symptoms, TBE is primarily diagnosed by ELISA-based detection of specific antibodies in the patient serum. However, cross-reactivity between orthoflaviviruses complicates the diagnosis. Specificity issues may be mitigated by serum neutralization assays (SNT), although the handling of clinically relevant orthoflaviviruses requires biosafety level (BSL) 3 conditions and they have highly divergent viral kinetics and cell tropisms. In the present study, we established a reporter virus particle (RVP)-based SNT in which the infectivity is measured by luminescence and that can be performed under BSL-2 conditions. The RVP-based SNT for TBEV exhibited a highly significant correlation with the traditional virus-based SNT (R2 = 0.8637, p < 0.0001). The RVP-based assay demonstrated a sensitivity of 92.3% (95% CI: 79.7%-97.4%) and specificity of 100% (95% CI: 81.6%-100%). We also tested the cross-reactivity of serum samples in RVP-based assays against other orthoflaviviruses (yellow fever virus, dengue virus type 2, Zika virus, West Nile virus and Japanese encephalitis virus). Interestingly, all serum samples which had tested TBEV-positive by ELISA but negative by RVP-based SNT were reactive for antibodies against other orthoflaviviruses. Thus, the RVP-based seroneutralization assay provides an added value in clinical diagnostics as well as in epidemiological studies.

Simultaneous quantitation of neutralizing antibodies against all four dengue virus serotypes using optimized reporter virus particles.

As a mediator of protection against dengue disease and a serological indicator of prior infection, the detection and quantification of neutralizing antibodies against DENV is an important "gold standard" tool. However, execution of traditional neutralizing antibody assays is often cumbersome and requires repeated application for each virus or serotype. The optimized RVPNT assay described here is high-throughput, easily multiplexed across multiple serotypes, and targets reporter viral particles that can be robustly produced for all four DENV serotypes. The use of this transformative RVPNT assay will support the expansion of neutralizing antibody datasets to answer research and public health questions often limited by the more cumbersome neutralizing antibody assays and the need for greater quantities of test serum.

Predicting Efficacy of a Purified Inactivated Zika Virus Vaccine in Flavivirus-Naïve Humans Using an Immunological Correlate of Protection in Non-Human Primates.

A traditional phase 3 clinical efficacy study for a Zika vaccine may be unfeasible because of the current low transmission of Zika virus (ZIKV). An alternative clinical development approach to evaluate Zika vaccine efficacy (VE) is therefore required, delineated in the US FDA's Accelerated Approval Program for licensure, which utilizes an anti-Zika neutralizing antibody (Zika NAb) titer correlated with non-human primate (NHP) protection as a surrogate endpoint. In this accelerated approval approach, the estimation of VE would be inferred from the percentage of phase 3 trial participants achieving the established surrogate endpoint. We provide a statistical framework to predict the probability of protection for human participants vaccinated with a purified inactivated ZIKV vaccine (TAK-426), in the absence of VE measurements, using NHP data under a single-correlate model. Based on a logistic regression (LR) with bias-reduction model, a probability of 90% protection in humans is expected with a ZIKV NAb geometric mean titer (GMT) ≥ 3.38 log10 half-maximal effective concentration (EC50). The predicted probability of protection of TAK-426 against ZIKV infection was determined using the two-parameter LR model that fit the calculated VE in rhesus macaques and the flavivirus-naïve phase 1 trial participants' ZIKV NAb GMTs log10 EC50, measured by a ZIKV reporter virus particle assay, at 1 month post dose 2. The TAK-426 10 µg dose predicted a probability of protection from infection of 98% among flavivirus-naïve phase 1 trial participants.

Anti-Arbovirus Antibodies Cross-React With Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is found in regions where dengue (DENV) and chikungunya (CHIKV) viruses are endemic. Any serological cross-reactivity between DENV, CHIKV, and SARS-CoV-2 is significant as it could lead to misdiagnosis, increased severity, or cross-protection. This study examined the potential cross-reactivity of anti-DENV and CHIKV antibodies with SARS-CoV-2 using acute and convalescent-phase samples collected before the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. These included healthy, normal human (NHS, n = 6), CHIKV-positive (n = 14 pairs acute and convalescent), primary DENV-positive (n = 20 pairs), secondary DENV-positive (n = 20 pairs), and other febrile illnesses sera (n = 23 pairs). Samples were tested using an in-house SARS-CoV-2 and a EUROIMMUN IgA and IgG ELISAs. All NHS samples were negative, whereas 3.6% CHIKV, 21.7% primary DENV, 15.7% secondary DENV, and 10.8% febrile diseases sera resulted as anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody positive. The EUROIMMUN ELISA using spike 1 as the antigen detected more positives among the primary DENV infections than the in-house ELISA using spike 1-receptor binding domain (RBD) protein. Among ELISA-positive samples, four had detectable neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 reporter virus particles yet none had detectable neutralizing antibodies against the live Wuhan strain of SARS-CoV-2. These data demonstrated the SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic cross-reactivity, but not neutralizing antibody cross-reactivity, among dengue seropositive cases. IMPORTANCE SARS-CoV-2 continues to cause significant morbidity globally, including in areas where DENV and CHIKV are endemic. Reports using rapid diagnostic and ELISAs have demonstrated that serological cross-reactivity between DENV and SARS-CoV-2 can occur. Furthermore, it has been observed that convalescent DENV patients are at a lower risk of developing COVID-19. This phenomenon can interfere with the accuracy of serological testing and clinical management of both DENV and COVID-19 patients. In this study, the cross-reactivity of primary/secondary anti-DENV, CHIKV, and other febrile illness antibodies with SARS-CoV-2 using two ELISAs has been shown. Among ELISA-positive samples, four had detectable levels of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 reporter virus particles. However, none had detectable neutralizing antibodies against the live Wuhan strain of SARS-CoV-2. These data demonstrated SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic cross-reactivity, but not neutralizing antibody cross-reactivity, among dengue seropositive cases. The data discussed here provide information regarding diagnosis and may help guide appropriate public health interventions.

Abstract 12343: Competing Roles of Angiostatin on SARS-CoV-2 Cellular Infection: Effects of Acidosis

Introduction: Angiostatin - plasmin(ogen) break-down product - is generated by platelets in an urokinase(uPA)-dependent manner. Angiostatin is anti-inflammatory during normoxia, and pro-apoptotic during hypoxia/acidosis. In SARS-CoV-infected mice, the uPA-plasminogen pathway was transcriptionally enriched regulating sublethal vs. lethal infection. Similarly, uPA was transcriptionally upregulated in SARS-CoV-2; however, role of angiostatin has not been investigated. Angiostatin level progressively increases in the blood of severe COVID-19 patients and this increases risk of lethal infection. We aimed to assess role of angiostatin in COVID-19. Methods: VeroE6 cells were infected with wild-type SARS-CoV-2 and treated with angiostatin (140 μg/ml) at pH 7.5 or 6.9. Cell death was quantified by the percentage of detached cells. Immunofluorescent staining against spike protein was used to confirm cellular infection. Additionally, HEK293-ACE2 cells were infected with replication-incompetent SARS-CoV-2 Reporter Virus Particles (RVP; GFP-expressing; Wuhan-Hu-1 D614G) with/without angiostatin and analyzed by flow cytometry. Co-immunoprecipitation of angiostatin and spike protein (Alpha variant) was carried out, followed by SDS-PAGE. Results: At pH 7.5 angiostatin significantly decreased the percentage of detached (24±7 vs 58±6%, p=0.002) VeroE6 following infection, and did not have a significant effect on uninfected cells. Conversely, at pH 6.9 angiostatin alone increased the percentage of detached cells (25% detachment, p=0.014), and failed to reduce the death of infected cells (detachment:53.5±4 vs 50±5%). Angiostatin lowered the percentage of spike protein-positive VeroE6 (59±3 vs 89±3%, p&lt;0.001) and GFP-expressing HEK293-ACE2 (7±0.5 vs 29±3, p=0.001) at both pH 7.4 and 6.9. Spike protein and angiostatin were co-immunoprecipitated. Conclusions: Angiostatin likely has a complex role in COVID-19 pathophysiology. High angiostatin concentrations such as those observed in COVID-19 promote cell death in acidotic microenvironments. Conversely, at physiological pH, angiostatin may have protective effects. Irrespective of pH, angiostatin reduced SARS-CoV-2 cellular entry, possibly by interacting with spike protein.

The Bovine Seminal Plasma Protein PDC-109 Possesses Pan-Antiviral Activity.

Mammalian seminal plasma contains a multitude of bioactive components, including lipids, glucose, mineral elements, metabolites, proteins, cytokines, and growth factors, with various functions during insemination and fertilization. The seminal plasma protein PDC-109 is one of the major soluble components of the bovine ejaculate and is crucially important for sperm motility, capacitation, and acrosome reaction. A hitherto underappreciated function of seminal plasma is its anti-microbial and antiviral activity, which may limit the sexual transmission of infectious diseases during intercourse. We have recently discovered that PDC-109 inhibits the membrane fusion activity of influenza virus particles and significantly impairs viral infections at micromolar concentrations. Here we investigated whether the antiviral activity of PDC-109 is restricted to Influenza or if other mammalian viruses are similarly affected. We focused on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiological agent of the Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19), thoroughly assessing PDC-109 inhibition with SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S)-pseudotyped reporter virus particles, but also live-virus infections. Consistent with our previous publications, we found significant virus inhibition, albeit accompanied by substantial cytotoxicity. However, using time-of-addition experiments we discovered a treatment regimen that enables virus suppression without affecting cell viability. We furthermore demonstrated that PDC-109 is also able to impair infections mediated by the VSV glycoprotein (VSVg), thus indicating a broad pan-antiviral activity against multiple virus species and families.

Specificity and Breadth of the Neutralizing Antibody Response to a Live-Attenuated Tetravalent Dengue Vaccine.

An effective dengue vaccine should ideally induce broadly neutralizing antibody (nAb) responses against all 4 dengue virus (DENV) serotypes. We characterized the specificity and breadth of the nAb response to TAK-003, a live-attenuated tetravalent dengue vaccine, in serum samples from phase 2 and 3 clinical trials. Microneutralization tests using postvaccination serum showed comparable neutralization against diverse DENV-1-4 genotypes. Reporter virus particle neutralization assays after depletion of anti-DENV-2 nAbs demonstrated that the nAb response to DENV-1, -3, and -4 comprises both type-specific (TS) and cross-reactive (CR) nAbs. Therefore, TAK-003 induces broad tetravalent TS and CR nAb responses.

Experimental veterinary SARS-CoV-2 vaccine cross neutralization of the Delta (B.1.617.2) variant virus in cats

SARS-CoV-2 has exhibited varying pathogenesis in a variety of Mammalia family’s including Canidae, Mustelidae, Hominidae, Cervidae, Hyaenidae, and Felidae. Novel SARS-CoV-2 variants characterized by spike protein mutations have recently resulted in clinical and epidemiological concerns, as they potentially have increased infectious rates, increased transmission, or reduced neutralization by antibodies produced via vaccination. Many variants have been identified at this time, but the variant of continuing concern has been the Delta variant (B.1.617.2), due to its increased transmissibility and infectious rate. Felines vaccinated using an experimental SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-based veterinary vaccine mounted a robust immune response to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Using a reporter virus particle system and feline serum, we have verified that vaccinated felines produce antibodies that neutralize the SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan strain and variant B.1.617.2 at comparable levels.

A high throughput reporter virus particle microneutralization assay for quantitation of Zika virus neutralizing antibodies in multiple species.

Zika virus is a Flavivirus, transmitted via Aedes mosquitos, that causes a range of symptoms including Zika congenital syndrome. Zika has posed a challenging situation for health, public and economic sectors of affected countries. To quantitate Zika virus neutralizing antibody titers in serum samples, we developed a high throughput plate based Zika virus reporter virus particle (RVP) assay that uses an infective, non-replicating particle encoding Zika virus surface proteins and capsid (CprME) and a reporter gene (Renilla luciferase). This is the first characterization of a Zika virus RVP assay in 384-well format using a Dengue replicon Renilla reporter construct. Serially diluted test sera were incubated with RVPs, followed by incubation with Vero cells. RVPs that have not been neutralized by antibodies in the test sera entered the cells and expressed Renilla luciferase. Quantitative measurements of neutralizing activity were determined using a plate-based assay and commercially available substrate. The principle of limiting the infection to a single round increases the precision of the assay measurements. RVP log10EC50 titers correlated closely with titers determined using a plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) (R2>95%). The plate-based Zika virus RVP assay also demonstrated high levels of precision, reproducibility and throughput. The assay employs identical reagents for human, rhesus macaque and mouse serum matrices. Spiking studies indicated that the assay performs equally well in different species, producing comparable titers irrespective of the serum species. The assay is conducted in 384-well plates and can be automated to simultaneously achieve high throughput and high reproducibility.

Impact of dengue virus genetic diversity on breadth of neutralization by a tetravalent dengue vaccine

Background: Extraordinary genetic diversity is a hallmark of dengue virus (DENV), with different genotypes within each of the four DENV serotypes capable of causing disease. The virus envelope (E) plays a critical role in the virus life cycle and it is the main target of the neutralizing antibody (NAb) responses. The E protein has accumulated intra-serotype genetic diversity with heterogeneous distribution worldwide, therefore evaluation of cross-genotype immunity is essential to track vaccine coverage in different parts of the globe. Takeda's live attenuated tetravalent dengue vaccine (TAK-003) is comprised of structural proteins from each serotype in an attenuated dengue virus type 2 (DENV-2) genomic backbone. In clinical trials TAK-003 has been found to be safe and well-tolerated, and to elicit long-lasting NAb responses against all vaccine-matched DENV serotypes irrespective of dengue serostatus at baseline. Methods and materials: Our goal was to evaluate the ability of post-vaccination samples to neutralize a broader selection of virus genotypes circulating in dengue endemic areas. A panel of genetically diverse DENV strains representative of historical (1956–2006) genotypes isolated in Asia and Latin America, were tested in a microneutralization assay. Results: Neutralization was observed across all genotypes and serotypes tested, with no significant genotype-specific differences in either dengue-seropositive or -seronegative vaccine recipients. Contemporary DENV strains isolated in Asia were sequenced and the E protein amino acid sequences aligned with the respective E proteins of the TAK-003 vaccine strains for each serotype. Structural modeling was used to predict location of amino acid differences with the largest potential for impact on the neutralization profile of the virus genotypes. A panel of DENV-specific reporter virus particles (RVPs) carrying E genes from contemporary strains were designed and constructed. Neutralization assays using these DENV RVPs and post-vaccination serum samples from Phase III clinical trials of TAK-003 are currently underway. Conclusion: These tests will enable the prediction of the ability of TAK-003 to elicit antibodies capable of neutralizing contemporary DENV strains circulating in areas of high endemicity.

Antigenicity, stability, and reproducibility of Zika reporter virus particlesfor long-term applications.

The development of vaccines against flaviviruses, including Zika virus (ZIKV) and dengue virus (DENV), continues to be a major challenge, hindered by the lack of efficient and reliable methods for screening neutralizing activity of sera or antibodies. To address this need, we previously developed a plasmid-based, replication-incompetent DENV reporter virus particle (RVP) production system as an efficient and safe alternative to the Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT). As part of the response to the 2015–2016 ZIKV outbreak, we developed pseudo-infectious ZIKV RVPs by modifying our DENV RVP system. The use of ZIKV RVPs as critical reagents in human clinical trials requires their further validation using stability and reproducibility metrics for large-scale applications. In the current study, we validated ZIKV RVPs using infectivity, neutralization, and enhancement assays with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and human ZIKV-positive patient serum. ZIKV RVPs are antigenically equivalent to live virus based on binding ELISA and neutralization results and are nonreplicating based on the results of live virus replication assays. We demonstrate reproducible neutralization titer data (NT50 values) across different RVP production lots, volumes, time frames, and laboratories. We also show RVP stability across experimentally relevant time intervals and temperatures. Our results demonstrate that ZIKV RVPs provide a safe, high-throughput, and reproducible reagent for large-scale, long-term studies of neutralizing antibodies and sera, which can facilitate large-scale screening and epidemiological studies to help expedite ZIKV vaccine development.

Pichia pastoris-expressed Zika virus envelope domain III on a virus-like particle platform: design, production and immunological evaluation.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is an arbovirus which shares antigenic similarity and the mosquito vector with dengue viruses (DENVs). ZIKV is a neurotropic virus capable of causing congenital neurodevelopmental birth defects. As ZIKV antibodies (Abs) can potentially enhance infection by DENVs, a preventive ZIKV vaccine must be designed to eliminate antibody dependent enhancement of infection. We developed a Zika Subunit Vaccine (ZSV) consisting of two proteins, ZS and S, in a genetically pre-determined ratio of 1:4, using the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris. ZS is an in-frame fusion of ZIKV envelope domain III with the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen, and S is the un-fused HBV surface antigen. Using specific monoclonal Abs we showed the presence of ZS and S in the co-purified material which were found to co-assemble into virus-like particles (VLPs), based on dynamic light scattering and electron microscopic analyses. These VLPs were immunogenic in BALB/c mice, eliciting Abs capable of neutralizing ZIKV reporter virus particles. Further, the VLP-induced Abs did not enhance a sub-lethal DENV-2 challenge in AG129 mice. This important safety feature, coupled to the well-documented advantage of P. pastoris expression system, warrants further exploration of ZSV VLP as a possible vaccine candidate.

Development of Virus-Like-Particle Vaccine and Reporter Assay for Zika Virus.

Recent worldwide outbreaks of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection and the lack of an approved vaccine raise serious concerns regarding preparedness to combat this emerging virus. We used a virus-like particle (VLP)-based approach to develop a vaccine and a microneutralization assay for ZIKV. A synthetic capsid-premembrane-envelope (C-prM-E) gene construct of ZIKV was used to generate reporter virus particles (RVPs) that package a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter-expressing West Nile virus (WNV) replicon. The assay was adapted to a 96-well format, similar to the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT), and showed high reproducibility with specific detection of ZIKV neutralizing antibodies. Furthermore, C-prM-E and prM-E VLPs were tested as vaccine candidates in mice and compared to DNA vaccination. While the ZIKV prM-E construct alone was sufficient for generating VLPs, efficient VLP production from the C-prM-E construct could be achieved in the presence of the WNV NS2B-3 protease, which cleaves C from prM, allowing virus release. Immunization studies in mice showed that VLPs generated higher neutralizing antibody titers than those with the DNA vaccines, with C-prM-E VLPs giving slightly higher titers than those with prM-E VLPs. The superiority of C-prM-E VLPs suggests that inclusion of capsid may have benefits for ZIKV and other flaviviral VLP vaccines. To facilitate the VLP platform, we generated a stable cell line expressing high levels of ZIKV prM-E proteins that constitutively produce VLPs as well as a cell line expressing ZIKV C-prM-E proteins for RVP production. While several vaccine platforms have been proposed for ZIKV, this study describes a safe, effective, and economical VLP-based vaccine against ZIKV.IMPORTANCE To address the growing Zika virus epidemic, we undertook this study with two objectives: first, to develop a safe, effective, and economical vaccine for ZIKV, and second, to develop a rapid and versatile assay to detect the anti-ZIKV immune response. We generated a cell line stably expressing ZIKV prM-E that produces large amounts of VLPs in the supernatant and a ZIKV C-prM-E cell line that produces reporter virus particles upon transfection with a GFP replicon plasmid. The prM-E VLPs induced a strong neutralizing antibody response in mice that was better when the capsid was included. VLP-based vaccines showed significantly better neutralizing antibody responses than those with their DNA counterparts. The RVP-based microneutralization assay worked similarly to the PRNT assay, with a rapid GFP readout in a 96-well format. Our VLP-based platform provides a source for a ZIKV vaccine and diagnosis that can rapidly be adapted to current outbreaks.

Live Cell Reporter Systems for Positive-Sense Single Strand RNA Viruses.

Cell-based reporter systems have facilitated studies of viral replication and pathogenesis, virus detection, and drug susceptibility testing. There are three types of cell-based reporter systems that express certain reporter protein for positive-sense single strand RNA virus infections. The first type is classical reporter system, which relies on recombinant virus, reporter virus particle, or subgenomic replicon. During infection with the recombinant virus or reporter virus particle, the reporter protein is expressed and can be detected in real time in a dose-dependent manner. Using subgenomic replicon, which are genetically engineered viral RNA molecules that are capable of replication but incapable of producing virions, the translation and replication of the replicon could be tracked by the accumulation of reporter protein. The second type of reporter system involves genetically engineered cells bearing virus-specific protease cleavage sequences, which can sense the incoming viral protease. The third type is based on viral replicase, which can report the specific virus infection via detection of the incoming viral replicase. This review specifically focuses on the major technical breakthroughs in the design of cell-based reporter systems and the application of these systems to the further understanding and control of viruses over the past few decades.

Evolutionarily Successful Asian 1 Dengue Virus 2 Lineages Contain One Substitution in Envelope That Increases Sensitivity to Polyclonal Antibody Neutralization.

The 4 dengue virus serotypes (DENV-1-4) cause the most prevalent mosquito-borne viral disease of humans worldwide. DENV-2 Asian 1 (A1) genotype viruses replaced the Asian-American (AA) genotype in Vietnam and Cambodia, after which A1 viruses containing Q or M at envelope (E) residue 160 became more prevalent than those with residue 160K in both countries (2008-2011). We investigated whether these substitutions conferred a fitness advantage by measuring neutralizing antibody titer against reporter virus particles (RVPs) representing AA, A1-160K, A1-160Q, and A1-160M, using patient sera from Vietnam and a well-characterized Nicaraguan cohort. Surprisingly, we found that A1-160Q and A1-160M RVPs were better neutralized by heterologous antisera than A1-160K. Despite this, Vietnamese patients infected with A1-160Q or A1-160M viruses had higher viremia levels than those infected with A1-160K. We thus found that independent lineages in Vietnam and Cambodia acquired a substitution in E that significantly increased polyclonal neutralization but nonetheless were successful in disseminating and infecting human hosts.

Development of a novel protocol for generating flavivirus reporter particles

Infection with West Nile virus (WNV), a mosquito-borne flavivirus, is a growing public and animal health concern worldwide. Prevention, diagnosis and treatment strategies for the infection are urgently required. Recently, viral reverse genetic systems have been developed and applied to clinical WNV virology. We developed a protocol for generating reporter virus particles (RVPs) of WNV with the aim of overcoming two major problems associated with conventional protocols, the difficulty in generating RVPs due to the specific skills required for handling RNAs, and the potential for environmental contamination by antibiotic-resistant genes encoded within the genome RNA of the RVPs. By using the proposed protocol, cells were established in which the RVP genome RNA is replicated constitutively and does not encode any antibiotic-resistant genes, and used as the cell supply for RVP genome RNA. Generation of the WNV RVPs requires only the simple transfection of the expression vectors for the viral structural proteins into the cells. Therefore, no RNA handling is required in this protocol. The WNV RVP yield obtained using this protocol was similar that obtained using the conventional protocol. According to these results, the newly developed protocol appears to be a good alternative for the generation of WNV RVPs, particularly for clinical applications.

Autophagy inhibits viral genome replication and gene expression stages in West Nile virus infection

Autophagy is a lysosomal degradation pathway that is implicated in many viral infections. However, its role in West Nile virus (WNV) infection remains controversial. In the present study, we examined the relationship between WNV infection and autophagy in infected cells. We demonstrated that LC3-II expression, a molecular marker for autophagosomal membranes, was enhanced in WNV-infected cells 6h post-infection. LC3-II expression was further enhanced in WNV-inoculated cells when treated with a lysosomal protease inhibitor. Meanwhile, WNV replication in cells lacking Atg5, an essential factor for autophagy, was increased compared with replication in wild-type cells. In addition, WNV replication was inhibited in cells lacking Atg5 when they were transfected with an ATG5 expression plasmid. These results suggest an antiviral role for autophagy in WNV-infected cells. We also examined which viral replication stages were affected by autophagy by using a Tat-beclin 1 peptide to induce autophagy and pseudo-infectious WNV reporter virus particles (WNV-RVPs) that monitor viral genome replication and gene expression stages via GFP expression. We found that autophagy induction in HeLa cells by Tat-beclin 1 peptide 3h after WNV inoculation inhibited viral replication, and GFP expression was significantly inhibited in wild-type cells when compared with cells lacking Atg5. Taken together, these results suggest that autophagy is induced by WNV infection, and that this induction inhibits WNV replication at the viral genome replication and gene expression stages.

Dengue reporter virus particles for measuring neutralizing antibodies against each of the four dengue serotypes.

The lack of reliable, high-throughput tools for characterizing anti-dengue virus (DENV) antibodies in large numbers of serum samples has been an obstacle in understanding the impact of neutralizing antibodies on disease progression and vaccine efficacy. A reporter system using pseudoinfectious DENV reporter virus particles (RVPs) was previously developed by others to facilitate the genetic manipulation and biological characterization of DENV virions. In the current study, we demonstrate the diagnostic utility of DENV RVPs for measuring neutralizing antibodies in human serum samples against all four DENV serotypes, with attention to the suitability of DENV RVPs for large-scale, long-term studies. DENV RVPs used against human sera yielded serotype-specific responses and reproducible neutralization titers that were in statistical agreement with Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT) results. DENV RVPs were also used to measure neutralization titers against the four DENV serotypes in a panel of human sera from a clinical study of dengue patients. The high-throughput capability, stability, rapidity, and reproducibility of assays using DENV RVPs offer advantages for detecting immune responses that can be applied to large-scale clinical studies of DENV infection and vaccination.

Complement Protein C1q Reduces the Stoichiometric Threshold for Antibody-Mediated Neutralization of West Nile Virus

Virus neutralization is governed by the number of antibodies that bind a virion during the cellular entry process. Cellular and serum factors that interact with antibodies have the potential to modulate neutralization potency. Although the addition of serum complement can increase the neutralizing activity of antiviral antibodies in vitro, the mechanism and significance of this augmented potency in vivo remain uncertain. Herein, we show that the complement component C1q increases the potency of antibodies against West Nile virus by modulating the stoichiometric requirements for neutralization. The addition of C1q does not result in virolysis but instead reduces the number of antibodies that must bind the virion to neutralize infectivity. For IgG subclasses that bind C1q avidly, this reduced stoichiometric threshold falls below the minimal number of antibodies required for antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of infection of cells expressing Fc-gamma receptors (CD32) and explains how C1q restricts the ADE of flavivirus infection.