The grouper is a high-value fish in Taiwan. However, nervous necrosis virus, which contains two single strand RNAs and doesn¡¦t have an envelope, causes groupers die in early stages of development. It economically impacts on the aquaculture of this marine fish. Vaccination is one of the best methods to prevent viral diseases. Virus-like particles (VLPs) were used for studying the ability and efficiency of producing antibodies against dragon grouper nervous necrosis virus. Different injection dosages and injection frequency of VLPs were performed on Epinephelus lanceolatus. The anti-sera of vaccinated fish were acquired by microvoluminal phlebotomization method and analyzed by antigen-capture dot blotting with ECL detections, which are the best choices for qualitative and quantitative assays. The signal of antibodies in the vaccinated fish was detected every week after primary immunization. The antibody signal reached 8.4x106 U in one month when the dragon groupers were injected with 10 µg of VLPs, but giving additional injection of VLPs didn¡¦t increase production of antibodies after one month. Moreover, dragon groupers that were injected with 50 µg and 100 µg of VLPs generated antibody signals up to 7.2x106 U and 6.7x106 U, respectively. The antibody signal can remain at a higher level in the presence of high dosage injection for at least three weeks. Furthermore, a polyvalent vaccine that included killed bacteria was applied in field to test dragon grouper immune response. The results not only support the data that dragon grouper boots antibody production within a short period after immunization, but also demostrates that the production of antibody by dragon grouper against virus and bacteria can be monitored by the microvoluminal phlebotomization method.

Many fish undergo betanodavirus infection. To study the infection process of dragon grouper nervous necrosis virus (DGNNV), native virus and E. coli-produced virus-like particles (VLPs) were used to analyze the binding and internalization in SSN-1 cells. The binding of DGNNV and VLPs to SSN-1 cells was demonstrated using Western blotting and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). As estimated by ELISA, the DGNNV particles bound SSN-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner up to 8 ¡Ñ 104 particles per cell. The binding of VLPs was sensitive to neuraminidase and tunicamycin, suggesting that cell-surface sialic acid is involved in binding. The recombinant VLPs block attachment of native virus to the surface of cultured fish nerve cells, blocking infection by the native virus. It is suggesting that the outer shell of DGNNV VLPs is structurally indistinguishable from native virus. The penetration of DGNNV into cells, which was monitored by electron microscopy, appeared mainly to occur via the spherical pit and membrane ruffling pathways. Occasionally, a spherical pit was engulfed by membrane ruffling so as to form a large figure 8-shaped vesicle with an open connection. Our observations suggest that DGNNV utilizes both micro- and macro-pinocytosis pathways to enter SSN-1 cells. Both of nucleotide and amino acid sequences of MGNNV protein A were comparison with all of Nodaviridae members, revealed that MGNNV were most closely related to RGNNV. No correlation of sequences of betanodavirus with geographical habitat was detected. All thirteen nodavirus protein A amino acid sequences contained canonical RNA polymerase motifs in their C-terminal halves and conserved elements of predicted secondary structure throughout. By Phyre web server identification, the BVDV RdRp as the best template for fold recognition of the RdRp domain of MGNNV and allowed the construction of a congruent 3D model.

and key words Mouse polyomavirus-derived virus-like particles composed from major capsid protein VP1 (MPyV VP1-VLPs) are interesting structures for use as a delivery system of various cargos into cells. VP1 protein self-assembles into icosahedral particles of 45 nm in diameter that are hollow highly regular nanoparticles. In this work, model small molecule cargo, Cyclodextrin-Based Bimodal Fluorescence/MRI Contrast Agent, was encapsidated into MPyV VP1-VLPs. The cargo was stably associated with VLPs and was delivered into mammalian cells using these VLPs. To prevent VLPs entrapment in endolysosomal compartments and increase the potential of VLPs applications, MPyV VP1 protein was modified by insertion of histidine-tag (6 histidine long sequence surrounded by glycine and serine) sequences into VP1 surface loop DE, because histidine modification of synthetic systems had enhancing effect on endosome escape and cargo delivery. With the use of in Bac-to-Bac® baculovirus expression system His-VP1 protein was expressed in insect cells and a variety of VP1-assemblies was obtained: long tubules and small 20nm VLPs formed from VP1 with 4 histidine-tags in DE loop, and novel VP1 nanostructure, which we named nano-jumpers, formed from VP1 with 2 histidine-tags. Nonetheless the endosome escape properties of...

No description available.

Influenza A virus (IAV) infection is a serious respiratory disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Annual vaccination is the most effective way to prevent infection and its potentially severe complications; however, the vaccines currently offered have several drawbacks that limit its availability and protective efficacy. Influenza virus-like particles (VLPs), which lack viral genetic material and are non-infectious, represent a promising vaccine candidate. Previous reports have shown VLPs are more immunogenic than subunit or recombinant proteins, and confer protection upon lethal challenge. A critical component of this protection is mediated by influenza HA-specific neutralizing Abs produced by memory B cells and plasma cells, the cellular products of the germinal center (GC) reaction. While preliminary studies have examined the humoral immune response to VLP vaccination, the current study is the first to characterize the GC response in secondary and tertiary lymphoid tissues. Mice were vaccinated with influenza VLPs using three immunization routes: subcutaneous (s.c.), intramuscular (i.m.), and intranasal (i.n.) and the GC response was assessed over time. Robust GC reactions were induced in the dLNs regardless of vaccination route, though the largest response was generated with VLPs s.c. The pattern of isotype expression was remarkably similar between routes, with IgM+ and IgG2+ B cells representing the majority of the GC B cell population. Mucosal immune responses in the upper (nasal) and lower (lung) airway were measured in mice vaccinated i.n. Marked GC reactions were induced in the nasal-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT), while the pulmonary response was relatively modest and short-lived compared to infection with IAV. Within the GC B cell population, IgM+ and IgG2+ B cells made up the majority, similar to the dLN response. Importantly, the pattern of isotype expression induced by VLPs mimicked the response induced by natural IAV infection, and suggests that VLPs contain the necessary innate immune agonists to induce a TH1 biased response.

Submitted by Luiz Felipe Barbosa (luiz.fbabreu2@ufpe.br) on 2015-03-13T15:15:04Z No. of bitstreams: 2 DISSERTAÇÃO_FINAL.pdf: 4132669 bytes, checksum: 2de35f385a67c750328123bf94990fd8 (MD5) license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-13T15:15:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 DISSERTAÇÃO_FINAL.pdf: 4132669 bytes, checksum: 2de35f385a67c750328123bf94990fd8 (MD5) license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-29 / CAPES / A infecção persistente por tipos oncogênicos de Papilomavírus Humano (HPV) é necessária para o desenvolvimento do câncer cervical e para uma grande porcentagem de outros tumores anogenitais e orofaríngeos. Desde que essas doenças têm como agente etiológico um vírus, a vacinação profilática representa uma intervenção barata, efetiva e logisticamente simples. A proteína L1 do capsídeo viral é capaz de arranjar-se em partículas morfologicamente e antigenicamente semelhantes ao vírus denominadas Virus-like particles (VLPs), abordagem esta utilizada pelas vacinas anti-HPV atualmente licenciadas. Apesar da eficácia comprovada, a implementação dessas vacinas é um desafio devido à desconhecida duração da proteção por elas conferida, o elevado custo atrelado e a possibilidade de outros tipos virais carcinogênicos emergirem. O sistema de expressão baseado em Pichia pastoris tem sido explorado para produção de VLPs de HPV, mas os níveis de expressão relatados têm sucesso variado e todos os trabalhos empregam vetores comerciais baseados no promotor induzível do gene AOX1 (PAOX1). No presente trabalho, avaliamos a produção extracelular da proteína L1 de HPV-16 em P. pastoris, mediante utilização dos sistemas baseados no promotor PAOX1 e no promotor constitutivo do gene PGK1 (PPGK1). Linhagens de P. pastoris recombinantes foram geradas mediante eletroporação com os cassetes de expressão pPICZAα-L1H16 e pPGK 3-L1H16. Clones contendo múltiplas cópias de cada cassete foram selecionados por ensaios de resistência à ZeocinaTM e triados quantos aos níveis de expressão mediante Colony blotting e Dot blotting, utilizando anticorpo anti-L1 (CamVir®). Embora tenha se observado aparente degradação e glicosilação da proteína L1, os resultados obtidos por Western blotting a partir das induções em frasco revelaram que o sistema baseado no promotor PPGK1 apresentou maiores níveis de expressão do que àquele baseado no promotor PAOX1. A tentativa de purificação da proteína L1 com resina de afinidade se mostrou insatisfatória, possivelmente devido à problemas conformacionais na cauda de poli-histidina. Esses resultados representam análises preliminares passíveis de otimização. Os eventos de glicosilação precisam ser confirmados por análises mais detalhadas. Metodologias alternativas para purificação das VLPs estão sendo avaliadas, bem como estratégias de cultivo para minimizar a proteólise de L1. O presente trabalho demonstra que o sistema não comercial baseado no promotor constitutivo do gene PGK1 de P. pastoris representa uma atrativa plataforma para produção de VLPs de HPV com fins vacinais.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-12T18:04:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 arquivo6206_1.pdf: 2700428 bytes, checksum: 581fcbaef95d2557078dfd0fe0d933dc (MD5) license.txt: 1748 bytes, checksum: 8a4605be74aa9ea9d79846c1fba20a33 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007 / Os papilomavírus humanos infectam o tecido epitelial mucoso ou cutâneo provocando o aparecimento de verrugas ou papilomas benignos que podem regredir ou evoluir para lesões malignas. A infecção por HPV é a doença sexualmente transmissível mais freqüente do mundo e está relacionada com a etiologia de certos tipos de cânceres, principalmente os anogenitais. O câncer cervical é o segundo mais freqüente entre as mulheres do mundo e o HPV-16 é o tipo mais encontrado, presente em 60% dos casos. Estudos para o combate da infecção mostram que as vacinas baseadas em Virus-Like Particles (VLPs), formadas a partir das proteínas capsidiais L1/L2 ou L1, induzem à produção de anticorpos neutralizantes que conferem proteção contra o mesmo tipo viral. A imunidade humoral é direcionada contra os epítopos conformacionais da proteína L1 que compõe 90% da estrutura capsidial. As VLPs são obtidas através da expressão dos genes capsidiais em sistema de expressão heterólogo e processos de purificação. A levedura Pichia pastoris é um sistema de expressão, eficiente e de baixo custo para a produção de altos níveis de proteínas, além de apresentar vantagens em relação a outros sistemas. Neste trabalho foi proposta a expressão do gene L1 de HPV-16 em células da levedura P. pastoris, como base de uma estratégia vacinal para o controle do câncer de colo de útero. O gene L1 de HPV-16 foi clonado em vetor de expressão pPICZA e a construção pPICZL1H16 foi integrada no genoma de Pichia. A transcrição do gene L1 foi confirmada por meio de RT-PCR e a expressão da proteína, por imunodetecção em Dot Blot. A obtenção dos clones de P.pastoris que expressam a proteína L1 de HPV-16, permitirá o desenvolvimento de mais uma estratégia vacinal baseada em VLPs

Papilomavírus humanos (HPVs) são vírus de DNA que infectam células epiteliais, podendo ser responsáveis pelo aparecimento de lesões benignas e malignas. Dentre os mais de 120 tipos identificados, o HPV -16 constitui o principal agente etiológico do câncer cervical, que é uma das maiores causas de morte por câncer em mulheres no mundo. Sendo assim, infecções associadas ao HPV devem ser prevenidas por vacinas indutoras de resposta imune vírus-específicas. A proteína L1 do capsídio viral é capaz de arranjar-se em partículas morfologicamente e antigenicamente semelhantes ao vírus, denominadas \"virus-like particles\" (VLPs), que induzem altos títulos de anticorpos neutralizantes. Neste trabalho, foram clonados os genes L1 selvagem e otimizado de HPV -16 em vetores de expressão de leveduras metilotróficas como Hansenula polymorpha e Pichia pastoris. Foi observada uma expressão consistente da proteína recombinante apenas em P. pastoris, com o gene L1 otimizado. Foram realizadas diversas tentativas de purificação da proteína heteróloga, empregando técnicas de cromatografia e ultracentrifugação em gradiente descontínuo de sacarose. A correta montagem das VLPs foi confirmada por microscopia eletrônica. Problemas de agregação, heterogeneidade e adsorção a superfícies apresentados pela proteína L1 foram resolvidos após utilização de surfactante não-iônico e de um procedimento de desmontagem e remontagem das partículas, gerando preparações mais homogêneas. Ensaios de hemaglutinação e inibição da hemaglutinação comprovaram a apresentação de epítopos conformacionais na superfície das VLPs. Este trabalho demonstrou pela primeira vez a expressão da proteína L1 de HPV -16 em P. pastoris, visando ao desenvolvimento de uma vacina profilática de baixo custo para o sistema público de saúde. / Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are DNA viruses that infect epithelial cells and can cause both benign and malignant lesions. From over 120 types catalogued so far, HPV-16 is the main etiologic agent of cervical cancer, which is the one of the most common causes of cancer deaths among women worldwide. Thus, HPV -associated infections might be prevented by vaccine inducing virus-specific immune responses. The L1 major capsid protein can self assemble into virus-like particles (VLPs), which are morphologically and antigenically indistinguishable from native viruses and induce high titers of neutralizing antibodies. In this work, we have cloned wild-type and codon-optimized L1 genes from HPV-16 in expression vectors of the methylotrophic yeasts Hansenula polymorpha and Pichia pastoris. Consistent L1 expression was only observed in P. pastoris transformed with the construction containing the codon-optimized gene. Many attempts to purify the heterologous protein were made, including chromatography and ultracentrifugation in sucrose density gradients. The correct assembly of VLPs was confirmed by electron microscopy. Some problems presented by recombinant L1 like aggregation, surface adsorption and heterogeneity were solved by using non-ionic surfactants and a procedure of disassembly and reassembly of the particles. Hemagglutination and hemagglutination inhibition assays corroborated the display of surface conformational epitopes by VLPs. This work showed for the first time the expression of the HPV-16 L1 protein in P. pastoris, aiming the development of a prophylactic vaccine free of charge for the public health system in Brazil.

Recentemente, vários arbovírus têm acometido a população de países emergentes ocasionando sérios problemas de saúde pública, como as doenças causadas pelos vírus da dengue, Chikungunya, Zika e febre amarela. Um vírus emergente e já circulante no Brasil, chamado Mayaro (MAYV), do mesmo gênero do Chikungunya (Alphavirus), possui potencial prejudicial semelhante a esses já estabelecidos. Seu vetor de transmissão é o mosquito do gênero Haemagogus, característico de regiões isoladas, principalmente florestas. Entretanto, estudos demonstraram que o Aedes aegypti é um competente vetor desse agente, o que possibilita sua disseminação em regiões urbanas. O presente trabalho avaliou a expressão das proteínas estruturais do vírus Mayaro (E1, E2, E3, C e 6K), utilizando dois sistemas de expressão distintos, um baseado na levedura Pichia pastoris, e outro derivado de Baculovírus (BEVS). Essa estratégia foi estabelecida para que a expressão dessas proteínas promova a formação de partículas semelhantes ao vírus (virus like particles), estruturas multiprotéicas que mimetizam a conformação de uma partícula viral podendo ser utilizada como um candidato vacinal. O trabalho evidenciou a correta obtenção de organismos recombinantes em ambos os sistemas, com a avaliação da expressão sendo feita com técnicas de dot blot, western blot e imunofluorescência indireta (IFI). Com o sistema baculovírus, foram avaliadas as linhagens Sf-9 e Hi-5, sendo evidenciada a expressão de proteínas do MAYV em ambas, utilizando MOI 10 e tempos pós-infecção de 96 e 72 h, respectivamente. A correta expressão das proteínas de MAYV também foi evidenciada com a levedura Pichia pastoris, com cultivo a 30 °C e tempo de análise 48 h após indução. A geração de VLPs foi avaliada em amostras de sobrenadantes de ambos os sistemasapós a concentração por ultracentrifugação em gradiente de iodixanol, e análise por microscopia eletrônica de transmissão, sendo observadas nos dois sistemas com tamanhos variando entre 30-60 nm. Os resultados desse projeto podem gerar ferramentas importantes no desenvolvimento de kits diagnósticos e métodos vacinais contra o MAYV. / Recently, several arboviruses have affected emerging countries causing serious public health problems, such as diseases caused by dengue viruses, Chikungunya, Zika and yellow fever. An emerging and already circulating virus in Brazil, called Mayaro (MAYV), of the same genus of Chikungunya (Alphavirus), has harmful potential similar to those already established. Its transmission vector is the mosquito of the genus Haemagogus, characteristic of isolated regions, mainly forests. However, studies have demonstrated that Aedes aegypti is a competent vector of this agent, which would allow its dissemination in urban areas. The present work evaluated the expression of the structural proteins of the Mayaro virus (E1, E2, E3, C and 6K) using two distinct expression systems, one based on the yeast Pichia pastoris and another derived from Baculovirus (BEVS). The strategy of expressing structural proteins has been established so that the expression of these proteins promotes the formation of viruslike particles or VLPs, multiprotein structures that mimic the conformation of a viral particle and can be used as a vaccine candidate. The work evidenced the correct obtaining of recombinant organisms in both systems, with the evaluation of the expression being done with dot blot, western blot and indirect immunofluorescence (IFI) techniques. With the baculovirus system, the Sf-9 and Hi-5 strains were evaluated, and the expression of the MAYV proteins was evidenced in both, using MOI 10 and the time of post-infection analysis of 96 and 72 h, respectively. Correct expression of MAYV proteins was also evidenced with yeast Pichia pastoris, with culture at 30 ° C and analysis time 48 h after induction. The generation of VLPs was evaluated in both supernatants after concentration by iodixanol gradient ultracentrifugation and transmission electron microscopy analysis, being observed in both systems with sizes ranging from 30-60 nm. The results of this project can generate important tools in the development of diagnostic kits and vaccine methods against the MAYV.

La mucoviscidose est une maladie héréditaire monogénique grave en rapport avec une mutation du gène codant pour la protéine CFTR et dont la morbidité est due principalement aux atteintes pulmonaires. La greffe pulmonaire développée depuis quelques années semble être la seule thérapie curative efficace. Toutefois, la rareté des greffons disponibles, justifie de développer d’autres thérapies comme la thérapie génique. Les pseudovirions de papillomavirus sont capables de transférer des gènes dans de nombreuses lignées cellulaires. Cependant, le tropisme naturel des papillomavirus est l’épithélium malpighien et ces pseudovirions sont peu efficaces pour les cellules de l’épithélium pulmonaire. Afin de modifier le tropisme de nos pseudocapsides de papillomavirus, la première étape de mon travail a été d’identifier de nouveaux motifs de ciblage pulmonaire. La technique de phage display a permis l’identification des motifs PHPNRAQ et VDRLQQK par sélection sur les cellules épithéliales bronchique IB3-1 et S9. / Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. Lung transplantation developed in recent years is the only effective curative treatment. However, due to the limitation in organ donors, it is necessary to develop other therapies such as gene therapy. Papillomavirus pseudovirions have the potential to deliver genes into different cells. However, the natural tropism of HPV is directed to the cervical epithelial cells and these pseudovirions have low transduction efficacy in pulmonary epithelial cells. The purpose of this thesis was to retarget and optimize the HPV-16 pseudovirions tropism to airway cells by insertion of short amino acid sequences within the major capsid protein L1.