Serial Expression of the Truncated Fragments of the Nucleocapsid Protein of CCHFV and Identification of the Epitope Region

The Crimean-congo hemorrhagic fever virus(CCHFV)is a geographically widespread fatal pathogen. Identification of the epitope regions of the virus is important for the diagnosis and epidemiological studies of CCHFV infections.In this study,expression vectors carrying series truncated fragments of the NP(nucleocapsid protein)gene from the S fragment of CCHFV strain YL04057 were constructed.The recombinant proteins were expressed in E.coli and purified for detection.The antigenic of the truncated fragments of NP was detected with a polyclonal serum(rabbit)and 2 monoclonal(mAbs)(14B7 and 43E5)against CCHFV by Western-blot analyses. The results showed that the three expressed constructs,which all contained the region 235AA to 305AA could be detected by mAbs polyclonal serum.The results suggest that region 235-305 aa of NP is a highly antigenic region and is highly conserved in the NP protein.

Production of CCHF Virus-Like Particle by a Baculovirus-Insect Cell Expression System

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV) is a tick-born virus of the Nairovirus genus within the Bunyaviridae family,which is widespread and causes high fatality.The nucleocapsid of CCHFV is comprised of N proteins that are encoded by the S segment.In this research,the N protein of CCHFV was expressed in insect cells using a recombinant baculovirus.Under an electron microscope,Virus-Like Particles (VLPs) with various size and morphology were observed in cytoplasmic vesicles in the infected cells.Sucrose-gradient purification of the cell lysate indicated that the VLPs were mainly located in the upper fraction after ultracentrifugation,which was confirmed by Western blot analysis and immuno-electron microscopy (IEM).

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever from the immunopathogenesis, clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic perspective: A scoping review

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus(CCHFV) is responsible for widespread tick-borne zoonotic viral disease CCHF in African, Middle Eastern, Asian, and European countries. CCHFV can be spread to humans through tick bites or contact with infected animals or humans, and it often progresses from asymptomatic to severe/lethal illness, with fatality rates ranging from 10% to 40% in humans. Today, CCHF is growing into a significant public health concern due to its very high prevalence, severity of the condition, and lack of available vaccines and specific treatments. Recent research has been drawn towards a more accurate study of CCHFV characteristics, including the structure, genetic diversity, mechanisms involved in pathogenesis and immunopathogenesis, and clinical features. In addition, the use of animal models(mouse and non-human primates) and advanced diagnostic tools in recent years has resulted in a significant advance in CCHF related studies. In this context, we summarized the latest findings about CCHF research, its health complications, animal models, current diagnosis, vaccination, and CCHF treatments, and therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, we discussed existing deficiencies and problems in CCHFV analysis, as well as areas that still need to yield conclusive answers.

Epidemiology and Mutational Analysis of Global Strains of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever Virus

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a severe illness with high fatality.Cases are reported in several countries in Africa,Europe,the Middle East,and Asia.Phylogenetic analyses based on the virus S (nucleocapsid),M (glycoprotein),and L (polymerase) genome segments sequences indicate distinct geographic lineages exist but their specific genetic characteristics require elucidation.In this work we collected all full length S segment sequences and generated a phylogenetic tree based on the alignment of these 62 samples.We then analyzed the alignment using entries from AAIndex,the Amino Acid Index database,to identify amino acid mutations that performed significant changes in charge,pka,hydropathy and side chain volume.Finally,we mapped these changes back to the tree and alignment to identify correlated mutations or sites that characterized a specific lineage.Based on this analysis we are able to propose a number of sites that appear to be important for virus function and which would be good candidates for experimental mutational analysis studies.

Molecular and Serological Detection of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus in Sulaimani Province, Iraq

Background: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a member of the Nairovirus genus in the Bunyaviridae family and is transmitted by ticks of the Hyalomma genus. It causes severe disease in humans with mortality rates between 3% and 30%. The first case in Iraq was reported in 1979;immediately thereafter, 10 cases were reported, resulting in seven deaths. Several cases were also reported in 1980 in Halabja city in Iraq’s Sulaimani province. Methods: Blood samples were collected from two study populations, human and cattle, including butchers working at a slaughterhouse. Ticks were also collected for virus detection from three villages in the Sharazoor district of Sulaimani province. Results: Results of the Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) were negative for all human and cattle sera. The tissue prepared from ticks also was negative for CCHFV. An Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique showed that 30 (46.87%) of 64 human sera were positive for the anti-CCHFV IgG antibody. Conclusion: Results show that symptomatic Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an uncommon disease in the Sulaimani province of Iraq and no clinical cases is reported, due to the eradication of ticks implemented by veterinary authorities. However, other preventive approaches and strategies should be implemented and monitored regularly by local authorities.

克里米亚–刚果出血热病毒受体LDLR的发现

克里米亚–刚果出血热病毒(Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus,CCHFV)是一种布尼亚病毒目内罗病毒科正内罗病毒属、蜱虫传播的负链RNA病毒,能引起严重的出血热,病死率约为30%。目前临床上尚无针对CCHFV的疫苗和抗病毒药物,因此,各国普遍将CCHFV列为生物安全风险等级最高的病原之一,世界卫生组织也连续多年将其列入优先研究病原名录。然而,自1956年CCHFV被发现以来,其受体一直未被鉴定。该研究团队根据CCHFV感染细胞的特点进行分析,通过筛选发现低密度脂蛋白受体(low density lipoprotein receptor,LDLR)是CCHFV的一个入侵受体。该受体的发现,对CCHFV感染致病机制的理解和防控策略的研发具有重要的科学意义和应用价值。

Transcriptome profiling highlights regulated biological processes and type III interferon antiviral responses upon Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus infection

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus(CCHFV)is a biosafety level-4(BSL-4)pathogen that causes Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever(CCHF)characterized by hemorrhagic manifestation,multiple organ failure and high mortality rate,posing great threat to public health.Despite the recently increasing research efforts on CCHFV,host cell responses associated with CCHFV infection remain to be further characterized.Here,to better understand the cellular response to CCHFV infection,we performed a transcriptomic analysis in human kidney HEK293 cells by high-throughput RNA sequencing(RNA-seq)technology.In total,496 differentially expressed genes(DEGs),including 361 up-regulated and 135 down-regulated genes,were identified in CCHFV-infected cells.These regulated genes were mainly involved in host processes including defense response to virus,response to stress,regulation of viral process,immune response,metabolism,stimulus,apoptosis and protein catabolic process.Therein,a significant up-regulation of type III interferon(IFN)signaling pathway as well as endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress response was especially remarkable.Subsequently,representative DEGs from these processes were well validated by RT-qPCR,confirming the RNA-seq results and the typical regulation of IFN responses and ER stress by CCHFV.Furthermore,we demonstrate that not only type I but also type III IFNs(even at low dosages)have substantial anti-CCHFV activities.Collectively,the data may provide new and comprehensive insights into the virus-host interactions and particularly highlights the potential role of type III IFNs in restricting CCHFV,which may help inform further mechanistic delineation of the viral infection and development of anti-CCHFV strategies.

A new strain of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus isolated from Xinjiang, China

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus(CCHFV) is a highly pathogenic tick-borne virus with a fatality rate of up to 50% in humans. CCHFV is widely distributed in countries around the world.Outbreaks of CCHFV infection in humans have occurred in prior years in Xinjiang Province, China.Epidemiological surveys have detected CCHFV RNA in ticks and animals; however, few isolates were identified. In this study, we identified and isolated a new CCHFV strain from Hyalomma asiaticum asiaticum ticks collected from north of Tarim Basin in Xinjiang, China. A preliminary investigation of infection and antigens expression of CCHFV was performed in newborn mice. The target tissues for CCHFV replication in newborn mice were identified. The analysis of the phylogenetic relationships with other Chinese strains suggested that diverse genotypes of CCHFV have circulated in Xinjiang for years. These findings provide important insights into our understanding of CCHFV infection and evolution as well as disease prevention and control for local residents.

Prevalence and Phylogenetic Analysis of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus in Ticks from Different Ecosystems in Xinjiang,China

The Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus(CCHFV),a member of the genus Orthonairovirus and family Nairoviridae,is transmitted by ticks and causes severe hemorrhagic disease in humans.To study the epidemiology of CCHFV in different ecosystems in Xinjiang,China,a total of 58,932 ticks were collected from Tarim Basin,Junggar Basin,Tianshan Mountain,and Altai Mountain from 2014 to 2017.Hyalomma asiaticum asiaticum was the dominant tick species in Tarim and Junggar basins,whereas Dermacentor nuttalli and Hyalomma detritum were found in Tianshan Mountain and Altai Mountain,respectively.Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction of the CCHFV small(S)genome segment was used for the molecular detection.The CCHFV-positive percentage was 5.26%,6.85%,1.94%,and 5.56% in Tarim Basin,Junggar Basin,Tianshan Mountain,and Altai Mountain,respectively.Sequences of the S segment were used for phylogenetic analysis and the results showed that the newly identified CCHFV strains belonged to two clades.Our study confirms that H.asiaticum asiaticum is the major vector of CCHFV in desert habitats which is consistent with previous studies,and also suggests that H.detritum and D.nuttalli are emerging vectors for CCHFV in Xinjiang.Moreover,this study reports the presence of CCHFV in the mountain habitat of Xinjiang for the first time,suggesting that future surveillance of CCHFV should also include mountainous areas.

Cryo-EM structure of glycoprotein C from Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus(CCHFV)is a causative agent of serious hemorrhagic diseases in humans with high mortality rates.CCHFV glycoprotein Gc plays critical roles in mediating virus-host membrane fusion and has been studied extensively as an immunogen.However,the molecular mechanisms involved in membrane fusion and Gc-specific antibody-antigen interactions remain unresolved largely because structural information of this glycoprotein is missing.We designed a trimeric protein including most of the ectodomain region of Gc from the prototype CCHFV strain,Ib Ar10200,which enabled the cryo-electron microscopy structure to be solved at a resolution of 2.8Å.The structure confirms that CCHFV Gc is a class Ⅱ fusion protein.Unexpectedly,structural comparisons with other solved Gc trimers in the postfusion conformation revealed that CCHFV Gc adopted hybrid architectural features of the fusion loops from hantaviruses and domain Ⅲ from phenuiviruses,suggesting a complex evolutionary pathway among these bunyaviruses.Antigenic sites on CCHFV Gc that protective neutralizing antibodies target were mapped onto the CCHFV Gc structure,providing valuable information that improved our understanding of potential neutralization mechanisms of various antibodies.

克里米亚-刚果出血热病毒疫苗的研究进展

克里米亚-刚果出血热病毒(CCHFV)是引起克里米亚-刚果出血热的病原体,尚缺乏特异性的治疗药物和预防控制疫苗。本文综述了当前CCHFV疫苗的研究进展,并分析了疫苗存在的问题及研制策略。