Publications
159 results found
Bartsch LJ, Fernandez Crespo R, Wang Y, et al., 2024, PluMu—A Mu-like Bacteriophage Infecting Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Applied Microbiology, Vol: 4, Pages: 520-535
<jats:p>Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae is the causative agent of pleuropneumonia, an economically important lung disease in pigs. In draft genomes of two Cypriot clinical A. pleuropneumoniae isolates (MIDG3457 and MIDG3459), we previously identified single genomic regions with homology to Mu-like bacteriophage and presented preliminary evidence of active phage. Here, updated Phastest genomic analysis identified two loci in both MIDG3457 and MIDG3459 that were predicted to encode proteins with high homology to, and whose organisation was characteristic of, Mu-like phages. Phylogenetically, the closest matches were with Mannheimia Vb and Glaesserella SuMu phages. Phastest scored the loci as “complete”, indicating they produced active phage. PCR amplification of the Mu-like phage c and tail genes from DNase-treated polyethylene glycol 8000 (PEG)-precipitated supernatants of MIDG3457 and MIDG3459 (grown in either Brain Heart Infusion-NAD or Grace’s Insect Medium-NAD broth) indicated the presence of intact virions. The phages from MIDG3457 and MIDG3459 were named PluMu 3457-1, 3457-2, and PluMu 3459-1 and PluMu 3459-2, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of the PEG-precipitated supernatants of broth-grown MIDG3459 identified virions with icosahedral heads and tails, consistent with other Mu-like phages. We conclude that MIDG3459 produces an active Mu-like phage.</jats:p>
Eldaghayes I, Rothwell L, Skinner M, et al., 2023, Efficacy of Fowlpox Virus Vector Vaccine Expressing VP2 and Chicken Interleukin-18 in the Protection against Infectious Bursal Disease Virus., Vaccines (Basel), Vol: 11, ISSN: 2076-393X
In mammals, the role of interleukin-18 (IL-18) in the immune response is to drive inflammatory and, normally therefore, anti-viral responses. IL-18 also shows promise as a vaccine adjuvant in mammals. Chicken IL-18 (chIL-18) has been cloned. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of chIL-18 to act as a vaccine adjuvant in the context of a live recombinant Fowlpox virus vaccine (fpIBD1) against Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). fpIBD1 protects against mortality, but not against damage to the bursa of Fabricius caused by IBDV infection. The Fowlpox virus genome itself contains several candidate immunomodulatory genes, including potential IL-18 binding proteins (IL-18bp). We knocked out (Δ) the potential IL-18bp genes in fpIBD1 and inserted (::) the cDNA encoding chIL-18 into fpIBD1 in the non-essential ORF030, generating five new viral constructs -fpIBD1::chIL-18, fpIBD1ΔORF073, fpIBD1ΔORF073::chIL-18, fpIBD1ΔORF214, and fpIBD1ΔORF214::chIL-18. The subsequent protection from challenge with virulent IBDV, as measured by viral load and bursal damage, given by these altered fpIBD1 strains, was compared to that given by the original fpIBD1. Complete protection was provided following challenge with IBDV in chicken groups vaccinated with either fpIBDIΔ073::IL-18 or fpIBD1Δ214::IL-18, as no bursal damage nor IBDV was detected in the bursae of the birds. The results show that chIL-18 can act as an effective vaccine adjuvant by improving the fpIBD1 vaccine and providing complete protection against IBDV challenge.
Idoko-Akoh A, Goldhill DH, Sheppard CM, et al., 2023, Creating resistance to avian influenza infection through genome editing of the ANP32 gene family., Nat Commun, Vol: 14
Chickens genetically resistant to avian influenza could prevent future outbreaks. In chickens, influenza A virus (IAV) relies on host protein ANP32A. Here we use CRISPR/Cas9 to generate homozygous gene edited (GE) chickens containing two ANP32A amino acid substitutions that prevent viral polymerase interaction. After IAV challenge, 9/10 edited chickens remain uninfected. Challenge with a higher dose, however, led to breakthrough infections. Breakthrough IAV virus contained IAV polymerase gene mutations that conferred adaptation to the edited chicken ANP32A. Unexpectedly, this virus also replicated in chicken embryos edited to remove the entire ANP32A gene and instead co-opted alternative ANP32 protein family members, chicken ANP32B and ANP32E. Additional genome editing for removal of ANP32B and ANP32E eliminated all viral growth in chicken cells. Our data illustrate a first proof of concept step to generate IAV-resistant chickens and show that multiple genetic modifications will be required to curtail viral escape.
Schat KA, Skinner MA, 2021, Avian immunosuppressive diseases and immune evasion, Avian Immunology, Pages: 387-417, ISBN: 9780128187081
Subclinical immunosuppression in chickens is an important but often underestimated factor in the subsequent development of clinical disease. Immunosuppression can be caused by pathogens such as chicken infectious anemia virus, infectious bursal disease virus, reovirus, and some retroviruses (e.g., reticuloendotheliosis virus). Mycotoxins and stress, often caused by poor management practices, can also cause immunosuppression. The effects on the innate and acquired immune responses and the mechanisms by which mycotoxins, stress, and infectious agents cause immunosuppression are discussed. Immunoevasion is a common ploy by which viruses neutralize or evade immune responses. DNA viruses such as herpesvirus and poxvirus have multiple genes, some of them host-derived, which interfere with effective innate or acquired immune responses. RNA viruses may escape acquired humoral and cellular immune responses by mutations in protective antigenic epitopes (e.g., avian influenza viruses), while accessory nonstructural proteins or multifunctional structural proteins interfere with the interferon system (e.g., Newcastle disease virus).
Oliveira M, Rodrigues DR, Guillory V, et al., 2021, Chicken cGAS is a key DNA sensor for antiviral immunity and regulation of macrophage effector functions, Publisher: WILEY, Pages: 322-322, ISSN: 0014-2980
Asfor AS, Nazki S, Reddy VRAP, et al., 2021, Transcriptomic analysis of inbred chicken lines reveals infectious bursal disease severity is associated with greater bursal inflammation in vivo and more rapid induction of pro-inflammatory responses in primary bursal cells stimulated ex vivo, Viruses-Basel, Vol: 13, Pages: 1-19, ISSN: 1999-4915
In order to better understand differences in the outcome of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) infection, we inoculated a very virulent (vv) strain into White Leghorn chickens of inbred line W that was previously reported to experience over 24% flock mortality, and three inbred lines (15I, C.B4 and 0) that were previously reported to display no mortality. Within each experimental group, some individuals experienced more severe disease than others but line 15I birds experienced milder disease based on average clinical scores, percentage of birds with gross pathology, average bursal lesion scores and average peak bursal virus titre. RNA-Seq analysis revealed that more severe disease in line W was associated with significant up-regulation of pathways involved in inflammation, cytoskeletal regulation by Rho GTPases, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor signaling, and Wnt signaling in the bursa compared to line 15I. Primary bursal cell populations isolated from uninfected line W birds contained a significantly greater percentage of KUL01+ macrophages than cells isolated from line 15I birds (p < 0.01) and, when stimulated ex vivo with LPS, showed more rapid up-regulation of pro-inflammatory gene expression than those from line 15I birds. We hypothesize that a more rapid induction of pro-inflammatory cytokine responses in bursal cells following IBDV infection leads to more severe disease in line W birds than in line 15I.
Giotis ES, Skinner M, 2021, Fowlpox Virus and Other Avipoxviruses (Poxviridae), Encyclopedia of Virology, Publisher: Academic Press, ISBN: 9780128145166
Encyclopedia of Virology, Fourth Edition, builds on the solid foundation laid by the previous editions, expanding its reach with new and timely topics.
Oliveira M, Rodrigues DR, Guillory V, et al., 2021, Chicken cGAS senses fowlpox virus infection and regulates macrophage effector functions, Frontiers in Immunology, Vol: 11, ISSN: 1664-3224
The anti-viral immune response is dependent on the ability of infected cells to sense foreign nucleic acids. In multiple species, the pattern recognition receptor (PRR) cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) senses viral DNA as an essential component of the innate response. cGAS initiates a range of signaling outputs that are dependent on generation of the second messenger cGAMP that binds to the adaptor protein stimulator of interferon genes (STING). Here we show that in chicken macrophages, the cGAS/STING pathway is essential not only for the production of type-I interferons in response to intracellular DNA stimulation, but also for regulation of macrophage effector functions including the expression of MHC-II and co-stimulatory molecules. In the context of fowlpox, an avian DNA virus infection, the cGAS/STING pathway was found to be responsible for type-I interferon production and MHC-II transcription. The sensing of fowlpox virus DNA is therefore essential for mounting an anti-viral response in chicken cells and for regulation of a specific set of macrophage effector functions.
Herrera C, Gallagher A, Ferguson D, et al., 2021, Mucosal responses to HIV-1 co-infection with an emerging pathogen, Zika virus, Publisher: JOHN WILEY & SONS LTD
Giotis E, Laidlaw S, Bidgood S, et al., 2020, Modulation of early host innate immune response by an avipox vaccine virus’ lateral body protein, Biomedicines, Vol: 8, Pages: 1-21, ISSN: 2227-9059
The avian pathogen fowlpox virus (FWPV) has been successfully used as a vaccine vector in poultry and humans, but relatively little is known about its ability to modulate host antiviral immune responses in these hosts, which are replication-permissive and nonpermissive, respectively. FWPV is highly resistant to avian type I interferon (IFN) and able to completely block the host IFN-response. Microarray screening of host IFN-regulated gene expression in cells infected with 59 different, nonessential FWPV gene knockout mutants revealed that FPV184 confers immunomodulatory capacity. We report that the FPV184-knockout virus (FWPVΔ184) induces the cellular IFN response as early as 2 h postinfection. The wild-type, uninduced phenotype can be rescued by transient expression of FPV184 in FWPVΔ184-infected cells. Ectopic expression of FPV184 inhibited polyI:C activation of the chicken IFN-β promoter and IFN-α activation of the chicken Mx1 promoter. Confocal and correlative super-resolution light and electron microscopy demonstrated that FPV184 has a functional nuclear localisation signal domain and is packaged in the lateral bodies of the virions. Taken together, these results provide a paradigm for a late poxvirus structural protein packaged in the lateral bodies, capable of suppressing IFN induction early during the next round of infection.
Giotis E, Laidlaw S, Bidgood S, et al., 2020, Modulation of early host innate immune response by a Fowlpox virus (FWPV) lateral body protein, Publisher: bioRxiv
Abstract The avian pathogen, fowlpox virus (FWPV) has been successfully used as vaccine vector in poultry and humans but relatively little is known about its ability to modulate host antiviral immune responses in these hosts, which are replication permissive and non-permissive, respectively. FWPV is highly resistant to avian type I interferon (IFN) and able to completely block the host IFN-response. Microarray screening of host IFN-regulated gene expression in cells infected with 59 different, non-essential FWPV gene knock-out mutants revealed that FPV184 confers immunomodulatory capacity. We report that FPV184 -knockout virus (FWPVΔ184) induces the cellular IFN response as early as 2 hours post-infection. The wild-type, uninduced phenotype can be rescued by transient expression of FPV184 in FWPVΔ184-infected cells. Ectopic expression of FPV184 inhibited polyI:C activation of the chicken IFN-β promoter and IFN-α activation of the chicken Mx promoter. Confocal and correlative super-resolution light and electron microscopy demonstrated that FPV184 has a functional nuclear localisation signal domain and is packaged in the lateral bodies of the virions. Taken together, these results provide a paradigm for a late poxvirus structural protein packaged in the lateral bodies and capable of supressing IFN induction early during the next round of infection.
Dulwich KL, Asfor A, Gray A, et al., 2020, The stronger downregulation of in vitro and in vivo innate antiviral responses by a very virulent strain of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV), compared to a classical strain, is mediated, in part, by the VP4 protein, Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, Vol: 10, ISSN: 2235-2988
IBDV is economically important to the poultry industry. Very virulent (vv) strains cause higher mortality rates than other strains for reasons that remain poorly understood. In order to provide more information on IBDV disease outcome, groups of chickens (n = 18) were inoculated with the vv strain, UK661, or the classical strain, F52/70. Birds infected with UK661 had a lower survival rate (50%) compared to F52/70 (80%). There was no difference in peak viral replication in the bursa of Fabricius (BF), but the expression of chicken IFNα, IFNβ, MX1, and IL-8 was significantly lower in the BF of birds infected with UK661 compared to F52/70 (p < 0.05) as quantified by RTqPCR, and this trend was also observed in DT40 cells infected with UK661 or F52/70 (p < 0.05). The induction of expression of type I IFN in DF-1 cells stimulated with polyI:C (measured by an IFN-β luciferase reporter assay) was significantly reduced in cells expressing ectopic VP4 from UK661 (p < 0.05), but was higher in cells expressing ectopic VP4 from F52/70. Cells infected with a chimeric recombinant IBDV carrying the UK661-VP4 gene in the background of PBG98, an attenuated vaccine strain that induces high levels of innate responses (PBG98-VP4UK661) also showed a reduced level of IFNα and IL-8 compared to cells infected with a chimeric virus carrying the F52/70-VP4 gene (PBG98-VP4F52/70) (p < 0.01), and birds infected with PBG98-VP4UK661 also had a reduced expression of IFNα in the BF compared to birds infected with PBG98-VP4F52/70 (p < 0.05). Taken together, these data demonstrate that UK661 induced the expression of lower levels of anti-viral type I IFN and proinflammatory genes than the classical strain in vitro and in vivo and this was, in part, due to strain-dependent differences in the VP4 protein.
Campbell EA, Reddy VRAP, Gray AG, et al., 2020, Discrete virus factories form in the cytoplasm of cells co-infected with two replication competent tagged reporter birnaviruses, that subsequently coalesce over time., Journal of Virology, Vol: 94, Pages: 1-16, ISSN: 0022-538X
The Birnaviridae family, responsible for major economic losses to poultry and aquaculture, are non-enveloped viruses with a segmented double-stranded (ds)RNA genome that replicate in discrete cytoplasmic virus factories (VFs). Reassortment is common, however, the underlying mechanism remains unknown given that VFs may act as a barrier to genome mixing. In order to provide new information on VF trafficking during dsRNA virus co-infection, we rescued two recombinant infectious bursal disease viruses (IBDVs) of strain PBG98 containing either a split GFP11- or Tetracysteine (TC)- tag fused to the VP1 polymerase (PBG98-VP1-GFP11 and PBG98-VP1-TC). DF-1 cells transfected with GFP1-10 prior to PBG98-VP1-GFP11 infection, or stained with ReAsH following PBG98-VP1-TC infection, had green or red foci in the cytoplasm respectively that co-localised with VP3 and dsRNA, consistent with VFs. The average number of VFs decreased from a mean of 60 to 5 per cell between 10 and 24 hours post infection (hpi) (p<0.0001), while the average area increased from 1.24 μm2 to 45.01μm2 (p<0.0001), and live cell imaging revealed that the VFs were highly dynamic structures that coalesced in the cytoplasm. Small VFs moved faster than large (average 0.57μm/s at 16 hpi compared to 0.22 μm/s at 22 hpi), and VF coalescence was dependent on an intact microtubule network and actin cytoskeleton. During co-infection with PBG98-VP1-GFP11 and PBG98-VP1-TC viruses, discrete VFs initially formed from each input virus that subsequently coalesced 10-16 hpi, and we speculate that Birnaviridae reassortment requires VF coalescence.IMPORTANCE Reassortment is common in viruses with segmented double stranded (ds)RNA genomes. However, these viruses typically replicate within discrete cytoplasmic virus factories (VFs) that may represent a barrier to genome mixing. We generated the first replication competent tagged reporter birnaviruses, infectious bursal disease viruses (IBDVs) containing a split GFP
Giotis ES, Carnell G, Young EF, et al., 2019, Entry of the bat influenza H17N10 virus into mammalian cells is enabled by the MHC class II HLA-DR receptor., Nature Microbiology, Vol: 4, Pages: 2035-2038, ISSN: 2058-5276
Haemagglutinin and neuraminidase surface glycoproteins of the bat influenza H17N10 virus neither bind to nor cleave sialic acid receptors, indicating that this virus employs cell entry mechanisms distinct from those of classical influenza A viruses. We observed that certain human haematopoietic cancer cell lines and canine MDCK II cells are susceptible to H17-pseudotyped viruses. We identified the human HLA-DR receptor as an entry mediator for H17 pseudotypes, suggesting that H17N10 possesses zoonotic potential.
Long JS, Idoko-Akoh A, Mistry B, et al., 2019, Species specific differences in use of ANP32 proteins by influenza A virus, eLife, Vol: 8, Pages: 1-22, ISSN: 2050-084X
Influenza A viruses (IAV) are subject to species barriers that prevent frequent zoonotic transmission and pandemics. One of these barriers is the poor activity of avian IAV polymerases in human cells. Differences between avian and mammalian ANP32 proteins underlie this host range barrier. Human ANP32A and ANP32B homologues both support function of human-adapted influenza polymerase but do not support efficient activity of avian IAV polymerase which requires avian ANP32A. We show here that the gene currently designated as avian ANP32B is evolutionarily distinct from mammalian ANP32B, and that chicken ANP32B does not support IAV polymerase activity even of human-adapted viruses. Consequently, IAV relies solely on chicken ANP32A to support its replication in chicken cells. Amino acids 129I and 130N, accounted for the inactivity of chicken ANP32B. Transfer of these residues to chicken ANP32A abolished support of IAV polymerase. Understanding ANP32 function will help develop antiviral strategies and aid the design of influenza virus resilient genome edited chickens.
Giotis E, Montillet G, Pain B, et al., 2019, Chicken embryonic-stem cells are permissive to poxvirus recombinant vaccine vectors, Genes, Vol: 10, ISSN: 2073-4425
The discovery of mammalian pluripotent embryonic stem cells (ESC) has revolutionised cell research and regenerative medicine. More recently discovered chicken ESC (cESC), though less intensively studied, are increasingly popular as vaccine substrates due to a dearth of avian cell lines. Information on the comparative performance of cESC with common vaccine viruses is limited. Using RNA-sequencing, we compared cESC transcriptional programmes elicited by stimulation with chicken type I interferon or infection with vaccine viruses routinely propagated in primary chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF). We used poxviruses (fowlpox virus (FWPV) FP9, canarypox virus (CNPV), and modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA)) and a birnavirus (infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) PBG98). Interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) were induced in cESC to levels comparable to those in CEF and immortalised chicken fibroblast DF-1 cells. cESC are permissive (with distinct host transcriptional responses) to MVA, FP9, and CNPV but, surprisingly, not to PBG98. MVA, CNPV, and FP9 suppressed innate immune responses, while PBG98 induced a subset of ISGs. Dysregulation of signalling pathways (i.e., NFκB, TRAF) was observed, which might affect immune responses and viral replication. In conclusion, we show that cESC are an attractive alternative substrate to study and propagate poxvirus recombinant vaccine vectors.
Giotis ES, Skinner M, 2019, Spotlight on avian pathology: fowlpox virus, Avian Pathology, Vol: 48, Pages: 87-90, ISSN: 0307-9457
Fowlpox virus is the type species of an extensive and poorly-defined group of viruses isolated from more than 200 species of birds, together comprising the avipoxvirus genus of the poxvirus family. Long known as a significant poultry pathogen, vaccines developed in the early and middle years of the 20th century led to its effective eradication as a problem to commercial production in temperate climes in developed western countries (such that vaccination there is now far less common). Transmitted mechanically by biting insects, it remains problematic, causing significant losses to all forms of production (from back-yard, through extensive to intensive commercial flocks), in tropical climes where control of biting insects is difficult. In these regions, vaccination (via intra-dermal or subcutaneous, and increasingly in ovo, routes) remains necessary. Although there is no evidence that more than a single serotype exists, there are poorly-described reports of outbreaks in vaccinated flocks. Whether this is due to inadequate vaccination or penetrance of novel variants remains unclear. Some such outbreaks have been associated with strains carrying endogenous, infectious proviral copies of the retrovirus, reticulo-endotheliosis virus (REV), which might represent a pathotypic (if not newly emerging) variant in the field. Until more is known about the phylogenetic structure of the avipoxvirus genus (by more widespread genome sequencing of isolates from different species of birds) it remains difficult to ascertain the risk of novel avipoxviruses emerging from wild birds (and/or by recombination/mutation) to infect farmed poultry.
Giotis ES, Ross CS, Robey RC, et al., 2017, Constitutively elevated levels of SOCS1 suppress innate responses in DF-1 immortalised chicken fibroblast cells, Scientific Reports, Vol: 7, ISSN: 2045-2322
The spontaneously immortalised DF-1 cell line is rapidly replacing its progenitor primary chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEFs) for studies on avian viruses such as avian influenza but no comprehensive study has as yet been reported comparing their innate immunity phenotypes. We conducted microarray analyses of DF-1 and CEFs, under both normal and stimulated conditions using chicken interferon-α (chIFNα) and the attenuated infectious bursal disease virus vaccine strain PBG98. We found that DF-1 have an attenuated innate response compared to CEFs. Basal expression levels of Suppressor of Cytokine Signalling 1 (chSOCS1), a negative regulator of cytokine signalling in mammals, are 16-fold higher in DF-1 than in CEFs. The chSOCS1 “SOCS box” domain (which, in mammals, interacts with an E3 ubiquitin ligase complex) is not essential for the inhibition of cytokine-induced JAK/STAT signalling activation in DF-1. Overexpression of SOCS1 in chIFNα-stimulated DF-1 led to a relative decrease in expression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs; MX1 and IFIT5) and increased viral yield in response to PBG98 infection. Conversely, knockdown of SOCS1 enhanced induction of ISGs and reduced viral yield in chIFNα-stimulated DF-1. Consequently, SOCS1 reduces induction of the IFN signalling pathway in chicken cells and can potentiate virus replication.
Dulwich KL, Giotis ES, Gray A, et al., 2017, Differential gene expression in chicken primary B cells infected ex vivo with attenuated and very virulent strains of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV)., Journal of General Virology, Vol: 98, Pages: 2918-2930, ISSN: 1465-2099
Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) belongs to the family Birnaviridae and is economically important to the poultry industry worldwide. IBDV infects B cells in the bursa of Fabricius (BF), causing immunosuppression and morbidity in young chickens. In addition to strains that cause classical Gumboro disease, the so-called 'very virulent' (vv) strain, also in circulation, causes more severe disease and increased mortality. IBDV has traditionally been controlled through the use of live attenuated vaccines, with attenuation resulting from serial passage in non-lymphoid cells. However, the factors that contribute to the vv or attenuated phenotypes are poorly understood. In order to address this, we aimed to investigate host cell-IBDV interactions using a recently described chicken primary B-cell model, where chicken B cells are harvested from the BF and cultured ex vivo in the presence of chicken CD40L. We demonstrated that these cells could support the replication of IBDV when infected ex vivo in the laboratory. Furthermore, we evaluated the gene expression profiles of B cells infected with an attenuated strain (D78) and a very virulent strain (UK661) by microarray. We found that key genes involved in B-cell activation and signalling (TNFSF13B, CD72 and GRAP) were down-regulated following infection relative to mock, which we speculate could contribute to IBDV-mediated immunosuppression. Moreover, cells responded to infection by expressing antiviral type I IFNs and IFN-stimulated genes, but the induction was far less pronounced upon infection with UK661, which we speculate could contribute to its virulence.
Anasir MI, Caria S, Skinner MA, et al., 2017, Structural basis of apoptosis inhibition by the Fowlpox virus protein FPV039, Journal of Biological Chemistry, Vol: 292, Pages: 9010-9021, ISSN: 1083-351X
Programmed cell death or apoptosis of infected host cells is an important defense mechanism in response to viral infections. This process is regulated by pro-apoptotic and pro-survival members of the B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) protein family. To counter premature death of a virus-infected cell, poxviruses use a range of different molecular strategies, including the mimicry of pro-survival Bcl-2 proteins. One such viral pro-survival protein is the fowlpox virus protein FPV039, which is a potent apoptosis inhibitor, but the precise molecular mechanism by which FPV039 inhibits apoptosis is unknown. To understand how fowlpox virus inhibits apoptosis we examined FPV039 using isothermal titration calorimetry, small-angle X-ray scattering and X-ray crystallography. Here, we report that the fowlpox virus pro-survival protein FPV039 promiscuously binds to cellular pro-apoptotic Bcl-2, and engages all major pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins. Unlike other identified viral Bcl-2 proteins to date, FPV039 engaged with cellular pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 with affinities comparable to those of Bcl-2's endogenous cellular counterparts. Structural studies revealed that FPV039 adopts the conserved Bcl-2 fold observed in cellular pro-survival Bcl-2 proteins, and closely mimics the structure of the pro-survival Bcl-2 family protein Mcl-1. Our findings suggest that FPV039 is a pan Bcl-2 protein inhibitor that can engage all host BH3-only proteins as well as Bcl-2 associated X, apoptosis regulator (Bax) and Bcl-2 antagonist/killer (Bak) proteins to inhibit premature apoptosis of an infected host cell. This work therefore provides a mechanistic platform to better understand FPV039-mediated apoptosis inhibition.
Giotis ES, Robey RC, Skinner NG, et al., 2016, Chicken interferome: avian interferon-stimulated genes identified by microarray and RNA-seq of primary chick embryo fibroblasts treated with a chicken type I interferon (IFN-α), Veterinary Research, Vol: 47, ISSN: 1297-9716
Viruses that infect birds pose major threats—to the global supply of chicken, the major, universally-acceptable meat, and as zoonotic agents (e.g. avian influenza viruses H5N1 and H7N9). Controlling these viruses in birds as well as understanding their emergence into, and transmission amongst, humans will require considerable ingenuity and understanding of how different species defend themselves. The type I interferon-coordinated response constitutes the major antiviral innate defence. Although interferon was discovered in chicken cells, details of the response, particularly the identity of hundreds of stimulated genes, are far better described in mammals. Viruses induce interferon-stimulated genes but they also regulate the expression of many hundreds of cellular metabolic and structural genes to facilitate their replication. This study focusses on the potentially anti-viral genes by identifying those induced just by interferon in primary chick embryo fibroblasts. Three transcriptomic technologies were exploited: RNA-seq, a classical 3′-biased chicken microarray and a high density, “sense target”, whole transcriptome chicken microarray, with each recognising 120–150 regulated genes (curated for duplication and incorrect assignment of some microarray probesets). Overall, the results are considered robust because 128 of the compiled, curated list of 193 regulated genes were detected by two, or more, of the technologies.
Long J, Efstathios SG, Moncorge O, et al., 2016, Species difference in ANP32A underlies influenza A virus polymerase host restriction, Nature, Vol: 529, Pages: 101-104, ISSN: 1476-4687
Influenza pandemics occur unpredictably when zoonotic influenza viruses with novel antigenicity acquire the ability to transmit amongst humans1. Host range breaches are limited by incompatibilities between avian virus components and the human host. Barriers include receptor preference, virion stability and poor activity of the avian virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase in human cells2. Mutants of the heterotrimeric viral polymerase components, particularly PB2 protein, are selected during mammalian adaptation, but their mode of action is unknown3, 4, 5, 6. We show that a species-specific difference in host protein ANP32A accounts for the suboptimal function of avian virus polymerase in mammalian cells. Avian ANP32A possesses an additional 33 amino acids between the leucine-rich repeats and carboxy-terminal low-complexity acidic region domains. In mammalian cells, avian ANP32A rescued the suboptimal function of avian virus polymerase to levels similar to mammalian-adapted polymerase. Deletion of the avian-specific sequence from chicken ANP32A abrogated this activity, whereas its insertion into human ANP32A, or closely related ANP32B, supported avian virus polymerase function. Substitutions, such as PB2(E627K), were rapidly selected upon infection of humans with avian H5N1 or H7N9 influenza viruses, adapting the viral polymerase for the shorter mammalian ANP32A. Thus ANP32A represents an essential host partner co-opted to support influenza virus replication and is a candidate host target for novel antivirals.
Giotis ES, Robey RR, Ross C, et al., 2015, Transcriptomic analysis of the chicken interferome, 3rd Annual Meeting of the International-Cytokine-and-Interferon-Society (ICIS), Publisher: Elsevier, Pages: 104-104, ISSN: 1043-4666
Giotis ES, Robey RR, Ross C, et al., 2015, Immunodulation and proviral action of chicken Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 1 (SOCS1), 3rd Annual Meeting of the International-Cytokine-and-Interferon-Society (ICIS), Publisher: Elsevier, Pages: 90-90, ISSN: 1043-4666
Crudgington B, Everett H, Skinner M, et al., 2015, Investigation of Porcine Interferons as a metaphylactic intervention strategy against Classical Swine Fever Virus (CSFV), 3rd Annual Meeting of the International-Cytokine-and-Interferon-Society (ICIS), Publisher: Elsevier, Pages: 107-108, ISSN: 1043-4666
Buttigieg KR, Skinner MA, 2015, Construction of FWPV Chimaeric MVA., Bio Protoc, Vol: 5, ISSN: 2331-8325
Construction of chimaeric MVA is a useful tool with which to study gene function of related viruses. The protocol given here describes MVA chimaeras containing genes from Fowlpox virus (FWPV), although this can be applied to DNA derived from other organisms. There are a number of steps required to make the chimaeric MVA: 1) Purification of viral particles; 2) Extraction of DNA from purified viral particles; 3) Assembly of linear recombination templates; 4) Transfection of linear recombination templates; 5) Selection of chimaeric MVA. Note: This procedure uses live virus, and should be conducted using Good Microbiological Practice, in accordance with international and national biocontainment requirements. This procedure also involves Genetic Modification of microorganisms, and appropriate safety approval should be obtained before commencing.
Maldonado R, Goodwin T, Harabagiu SM, et al., 2015, The Role of Semantic and Discourse Information in Learning the Structure of Surgical Procedures, International Conference on Healthcare Informatics (ICHI), Publisher: IEEE, Pages: 223-232
Schmid M, Smith J, Burt DW, et al., 2015, Third Report on Chicken Genes and Chromosomes 2015, CYTOGENETIC AND GENOME RESEARCH, Vol: 145, Pages: 78-179, ISSN: 1424-8581
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Ascough S, Sadeyen J-R, Giotis E, et al., 2014, Potentiating the immunogenicity of poxvirus vectors to improve the efficacy of live recombinant viral vaccines in poultry, IMMUNOLOGY, Vol: 143, Pages: 66-66, ISSN: 0019-2805
Laidlaw SM, Skinner MA, 2014, Construction of Deletion-knockout Mutant Fowlpox Virus (FWPV)., Bio Protoc, Vol: 4, ISSN: 2331-8325
The construction of deletion-knockout poxviruses is a useful approach to determining the function of specific virus genes. This protocol is an adaptation of the transient dominant knockout selection protocol published by Falkner and Moss (1990) for use with vaccinia virus. The protocol makes use of the dominant selectable marker Escherichia coli guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (gpt) gene (Mulligan and Berg, 1981), under the control of an early/late poxvirus promoter. The deletion viruses that are produced no longer contain a selectable marker, which may be preferable for the production of vaccines.
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