Genetic Variation of Porcine Circovirus Type 2 Isolate 201105ZJ

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the genetic variation of porcine circovirus type 2 （PCV2） in China. [Method] The strain was isolated from infected samples by cel passage and preliminarily identified by PCR and IFA. Ful-length genome of the isolated strain was obtained by specific amplification for homology and phylogenetic analysis. [Result] A PCV2 strain was successful y isolated and named 201105ZJ, which could proliferate in PK15 cel lines. Specific fragments could be amplified by specific PCR assay. According to results of IFA assay, specif-ic immunofluorescence was observed; the TCID50 was low （102.67）; the ful-length genome sequence of the isolated strain was 1 768 bp, sharing 94.1%-96.8% ho-mology with 13 reference strains; to be specific, the isolated strain exhibited the highest homology of 96.8% with AF055392PCV2a; the isolated strain 201105ZJ and reference strain AF055392 belonged to genotype PCV2a, exhibiting a distant genetic relationship with genotype PCV2c. [Conclusion] Characteristics of genetic variation of PCV2 isolate 201105ZJ provided theoretical basis for vaccine development, investi-gation of PCV2 pathogenesis, and prevention and control of porcine circovirus-as-sociated diseases （PCVAD） in East China.

A survey on porcine circovirus type 2 infection and phylogenetic analysis of its ORF2 gene in Hangzhou,Zhejiang Province,China

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is closely related to the postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). In this study, the pig serum and tissue samples collected from different regions of Hangzhou District in Zhejiang Province of China between 2003 and 2005 were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for PCV2 antibody and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for ORF2 gene. The results show that out of 1250 randomly collected serum samples, 500 sera (40%) were seropositive for PCV2. PCR results demonstrate that Hangzhou PCV2 with more than 50% Chinese PCV2 strains and French PCV2 formed Cluster A. Only one PCV2 from Hangzhou belonged to Cluster B with some other Chinese PCV2 and Netherlands’s isolates. Cluster C consisted of PCV2 isolates from China, US, Canada, UK and Germany. The results indicate that the PCV2 infection was widespread in Hangzhou.

Development of a Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay for Porcine Circovirus Type 2

In this study, the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method was used to develop a rapid and simple detection system for porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2). According to the PCV2 sequences published in GenBank, multiple LAMP primers were designed targeting conserved sequences of PCV2. Using the DNA extracted from PCV2 isolates HUN-09 and SD-09 as the template, LAMP reactions in a PCV2 LAMP system was performed, the amplification products were detected by adding SYBR Green I and could be observed directly by the naked eye. The results showed highly-efficient and specific amplification in 30 min at 63°C with a LAMP real-time turbidimeter. Furthermore, PCV2 DNA templates, with a detection limit of 5.5×10-5 ng of nucleic acid, indicated that this assay was highly sensitive. The results obtained with the naked eye after SYBR Green I staining were consistent with those detected by the real-time turbidimeter, showing the potential simplicity of interpretation of the assay results. The LAMP assay appeared to have greater accuracy than PCR and virus isolation for the analysis of 18 clinical samples. In addition it offers higher specificity and sensitivity, shorter reaction times and simpler procedures than the currently available methods of PCV2 detection. It is therefore a promising tool for the effective and efficient detection of PCV2.

Genetic Diversity of Intragenomic Rearrangement of Porcine Circovirus Type 2 in vitro and in vivo

We characterized the genome sequences of defective-interfering(DI) particle DNA of porcine circovirus type 2(PCV2) by sequencing and bioinformatics analyses. DI particles were both generated by serial passage of PCV2 in PK15 cells and obtained from sera of pigs with postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome(PMWS). These subviral isolates ranged from 358 nt to 1 125 nt genomes. Investigating the complexity and diversity of PCV2 DI in vivo and in vitro can help elucidating the evolutionary history of PCV2.

Recent Advances in Epidemiology of Porcine Circovirus Type 2 and Diagnosis of Porcine Circovirus-Associated Diseases

Porcine cimovirus （PCV） is the smallest animal virus so far and has two serotypes. PCV1 is nonpathogenic, but PCV2 is pathogenic and causes post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome （ PMWS）. Factors to induce PMWS include immunity and infection status of sows, infec- tion time, mixed infection, PCV2 variants, physical status of gilts, and feeding management. For final diagnosis, histopathological changes and ex- istence of PCV2 in lymphoid tissues are professional standards, because fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR is not enough specific or sensitive. The commemial PCV2 vaccines can reduce occurrence of PMWS and PCV-related diseases. This paper reviews recent advances in epidemiology of PCV2 as well as diagnosis and control of PMWS.

Phylogenetic Relationship Analysis of the Complete Genomes of Porcine Circovirus Type 2( PCV2) Strains Isolated from Hainan Province

[ Objective] This study aimed to investigate the molecular characteristics of porcine circovirus type 2 （PCV2） strains isolated from Hainan Province. [ Method] The complete genome of PCV2 was amplified from PMWS-suspected samples by PCR for sequence analysis. [ Result] A total of eight PCV2 strains were isolated and identified. All the eight isolates belonged to genotype PCV2b, among which seven isolates belonged to subgenotype PCV2b-1 C, and one isolate be- longed to subgenotype PCV2b-IA/1B. ORF2 gene of PCV2 isolates from Hainan Province was 705 bp in length, encoding 234 amino acids. Antigenic epitopes of Cap protein exhibited certain changes. Nucleotide sequences and deduced amino acid sequences of ORF2 gene shared 95.3% -99.7% and 93.6% - 100% simi- larities among eight PCV2 isolates from Hainan Province, respectively. Moreover, nucleotide sequences and deduced amino acid sequences of ORF2 gene of PCV2 isolates from Hainan Province shared 91.0% -99.9% and 91.0% -99.6% similarities with other PCV2 strain isolated from China （AY682994, AF381175, JX945577, JX682407, AY180397 ）, respectively; nucleotide sequences and deduced amino acid sequences of ORF2 gene of PCV2 isolates from Hainan Province shared 90.0% - 97.0% and 88.0% -97.9% similarities with PCV2 isolates from other countries （ NC_005148, JQ994268, KJ187306, AF201307, AF454546, AY＂/Sd020）, respectively; nucleotide sequences and deduced amino acid sequences of ORF2 gene of PCV2 isolates from Hainan Province shared 98.2% -100% and 94.9% -100% similarities with vaccine strain SH, respectively; nucleotide sequences and deduced amino acid sequences of ORF2 gene of PCV2 isolates from Hainan Province shared 90.6% -91.7% and 89.7% - 91.0% similarities with vaccine strain LG, respectively. [ Conclusion] This study provided theoretical hasis for the prevention and control of PCV2 and selection of vaccine strains in Hainan Province.

An Immunochromatographic Strip Test for Rapid Detection of Antibodies against Porcine Circovirus Type 2

Porcine cimovirus type 2 (PCV2) infection causes huge economic losses, but no serological method is available for batch detection of field samples. The aim of the study was to develop a method for large-batch detection of PCV2 infection. Colloidal gold-labeled staphylococcal protein A (SPA) was sprayed on glass fibers to prepare a conjugate pad. The recombinant ORF2 protein of PCV2 was blotted on the test line of the nitrocellulose (NC) membrane, and pig IgG was streaked on the control line of the NC membrane. Then, the immunochromatographic strip was used for detection of antibodies against PCV2. The results show that the strip test was simple and the results could be determined within 10 min with naked eyes. The test strip was highly specific for pig serum against PCV2 and no cross-reaction with pig serum against other pathogens was observed. The test strip had close similarity with ELISA. Storage at RT for 6 months did not affect the specificity and sensitivity obviously. A total of 324 clinical pig sera were detected by both ELISA and the developed test strip, and the coincidence was 98.77%. Therefore, the developed immunochromatographic strip is specific, sensitive, stable, fast and simple, and it is suitable for on-site detection of antibodies against PCV2.

Establishment and Application of a Real-time Fluorescent Quantitative PCR Method for Detection of Porcine Circovirus Type 2

[ Objective ] To establish a real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction （PCR） method with SYBR Green I for the detection of porcine circovirus type 2 （PCV2）. [Methods] Specific primers were designed to amplify the conserved gene segments of PCV2 with a size of 177 bp by PCR. The ampli- fied gene was cloned into the vector of pMD 18-T and transformed into DHSct to screen positive clones. After being extracted and purified, the recombinant plasraids pMD 18-T-177 were taken as the standard DNA templates to establish the fluorescence quantitative PCR method for the detection of PCV2, and the PCR re- action conditions were optimized. [ Results] Ct value of the established PCR method showed a good linear relationship with the standard DNA templates within a viral load of 3.21 × 100 -4.16 × 108 copies/μL , the correlation coefficient was O. 998 8 and the slope was - 3.286. The method did not show any cress-reactions with the genomes of PRRSV, PCV1, CSFV, PRV, PPV and Escherichia coli. Sensitivity of this method was proved to be 3.21 × 10 copies/μL, which was 1 000 times higher as conventional PCR method. Variation coefficients of the repeated trims among same batch or different batches were both less than 3.00%. Positive rate of clinical samples detected by the established PCR method was 58.94%, which was significantly higher than the detection rate by conventional PCR. [ Conclusions ] A reM-time fluorescent quantitative PCR method with SYBR Green I for the detection of PCV2 was established, which was better for conducting the quan- titative analysis and the early diagnosis of PCV2 infection.

Research on Propagation Characteristics of DifferentIsolates of Porcine Circovirus Type 2 in vivo

[Objective]The aim of this study is to explore the dynamic changes of Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and the propagation differences between different PCV2 strains.[Method]A rapid, sensitive and SYBR Green I-based real-time quantitative PCR assay was developed to detect PCV2 in mice. The Balb/c mice were inoculated with 200 μL of 1×10^6 TCID 50 /mL different strains of PCV2;the serum and tissues of mice were collected at different time. SYBR Green I fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to determine the viral titer in the serum and tissues of mice.[Result]The results indicated that the SYBR Green I PCR could speci fically detect PCV2 with high specificity. All strains were detected in the serum 14 d after infection, and 2007HA strain had the highest level of 1.21×10^8 copies/mL. The titers of all strains decreased 21 d after infection and then increased 28 d after infection. In addition, 2010NJ strain had the highest titer in serum 28 d after infection. The two PCV2b isolates, 2010NJ and 2009ZJ, had the highest titer in lungs and spleens. [Conclusion]All results showed that different PCV2 isolates have different proliferation ef ficiencies in Balb/c mice, even if they belong to the same subtype. In addition, the proliferation rate of 2009ZJ in visceral organs was significantly higher than that in serum. However, this phenomenon is not obvious for other strains. These results laid a foundation for the analysis of proliferation characteristics and pathogenicity of different PCV2 strains in vivo.

Epidemiological Investigation and Genetic Characterization of Type 2 PCV2 （Type 2 Porcine Circovirus） in Mexican Commercial Herds

PCV2 （Porcine circovirus type 2） is considered as the essential infectious agent of PMWS （post weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome） in pigs. Serological studies have shown that the virus is ubiquitous. Currently, there are many reports about the epidemiology and genetic characteristics of this virus around the world, but in Mexico it has not been studied. More than 3,500 samples of serum, rectal swabs, tissues and semen of 34 Mexican porcine farms from 10 important producer regions were analyzed by PCR. Results show that 97% of the farms were positive. Both genotypes, PCV2a and PCV2b were detected. It also found that the most prevalent genotype in Mexico is PCV2b. Regarding to amino acid sequence; three major heterogenic regions were present in the positions 59-91,123-136 and 185-210.

Isolation and Identification of Porcine Circovirus Type 2 in Taizhou

In September 2011, an infectious disease suspected to be postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome （PMWS） broke out in some pig farm in Taizhou. The inguinal lymph node, liver and lung tissues were collected and grinded into tissue suspension. The suspension was subjected to PCR detection, and the positive product was sequenced. The suspension of positive samples was filtered with 0.22 μm filter membrane, and the filtrate was inoculated onto PK15 cells. After five generations of blind passages, the cell viral liquid was collected and extracted for DNA, which was subjected to PCR detection and indirect immunofluorescence. The results showed that the isolate was porcine circovirus type 2 （PCV2） and designated as TAIZ110926. The target sequence was committed to NCBI with a serial number： KF039888.

Inducible Expression on Multi-epitope of Porcine Circovirus Type 2 and Its Immunological Competence

In order to obtain induction expressed porcine circovirus type 2（PCV2）multi-epitope with good immunogenicity in vitro.Major epitopes of PCV2 were screened in the test,epitopes were composed sequentially,the c DNA sequences were artificially synthesized.Bam HⅠand SalⅠwere directionally cloned into prokaryotic expression vector PEGX-4T-1 multiple cloning site,then BL21 competent cells were transformed,positive clones were screened,IPTG inducible expression was conducted.Expression on target gene was analyzed by SDS-PAGE,fusion protein polypeptide was extracted and purified,immunocompetence of the expressed multi-epitope protein was identified by Westernblot.BALB/c mouse was immuned by fusion protein polypeptide,the antibody was determined by ELISA,immunogenicity was evaluated.Results showed that expression recombinant plasmid pEGX-4T-1-ep contained with seven PCV2 antigen epitopes had been constructed successfully.SDS-PAGE analysis showed that fusion protein polypeptide was expressed effectively in Escherichia coli（E.coli）,and the molecular weight was about 35ku,which existed in the form of solubility.Results of Westernblot showed that the extraction and purification of fusion protein polypeptide and PCV2 positive serum had good reactogenicity.Results of ELISA showed that the purified fusion protein polypeptide could stimulate the body to produce PCV2 specific antibody which had good immunogenicity.Results indicated that the constructed PCV2 multi-epitope had good expression characteristics in vitro,and the expression protein had good immunogenicity.The study provided a basic for the study on PCV2 epitope screening,functional identification and multi-epitope vaccine.

Changes of the Transcriptional Levels of Molecules Associated with Endogenous Antigen Processing and Presentation in Porcine Skin-derived Dendritic Cells Infected with PCV2 in vivo

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the changes of the transcriptional levels of molecules associated with endogenous antigen processing and presenta- tion in porcine skin-derived dendritic cells infected with PCV2 in vivo. [Method] Healthy 40-day-old Landrace piglets were infected with porcine circovirus type 2 （PCV2） and euthanized on the 34, 7rd, 14th, 21st and 35th d post inoculation （DPI）. The porcine skin-derived dendritic cells （DCs） were collected to analyze the transcrip- tional levels of molecules （LMP7, UBP, MHC-I, calreticulin） associated with endogenous antigen processing and presentation by using real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR （real-time FQ-PCR）. [Result] The results showed that the level of LMP7 mR- NAs was reduced significantly on the 3DPI （P〈0.05）; the level of UBP mRNAs was consistently up-regulated, which increased significantly on the 21DPI and 35DPI （P〈 0.05）; the level of MHC-I mRNAs was significantly down-regulated on the 7DPI （P〈 0.05）; the level of calreticulin mRNAs was up-regulated slightly without significant dif- ference. [Conclusion] PCV2 can inhibit the endogenous antigen processing and presentation ability of porcine skin-derived DCs at early stages of infection.

Prokaryotic Expression and Potential Application of the Truncated PCV-2 Capsid Protein

Three pairs of specific primers were designed to amplify the F2-1, F2-2 and XF2-2 truncated sequences of ORF2 which encodes the capsid protein of porcine circovirus type 2 （PCV-2）. The F2-1 sequence had most of the NLS region of ORF2, but the F2-2 and XF2-2 genes had the NLS region deleted. Truncated genes were subcloned into pET-32a（＋） vectors to construct recombinant fusion expression vectors. The vectors were then transformed into Rosetta（DE3） E. coli and expressed by induction of IPTG. Expressed proteins were detected by western blotting and ELISA. The protein with best immunoreactivity was confirmed and selected, then utilized to inoculate SPF rabbits to prepare polyclonal antibodies. The protein and prepared polyclonal antibody were utilized to detect sera samples against PCV-2 from Shandong province and PCV-2 particles in PK-15 cells. In our study, three recombinant fusion proteins were successfully obtained, and the molecular weights of fusion proteins were 35.9 kDa, 33.6 kDa and 38.6 kDa respectively detected by SDS-PAGE. All of the proteins showed positive reaction with anti-PCV-2 antisera, and His-XF2-2 showed better immunoreactivity than the others. The protein of His-XF2-2 was coated as antigen in ELISA to detect the seroprevalence of PCV-2 in certain districts of Shandong province, the seropositivity rate was 27.7 % （73/264）. Specific fluorescence and positive signals for PCV-2 could be detected in PK-15 cells inoculated with PCV-2 with the participation of prepared antibodies against His-XF2-2 in IFA and IPMA. Experimental results indicated that the truncated PCV-20RF2 gene containing most of the NLS region was successfully expressed in E. coli, and His-XF2-2 was demonstrated to have better immunoreactivity with anti-PCV-2 antisera than the other two fusion proteins. His-XF2-2 and prepared polyclonal antibodies against it had a satisfactory capability in detecting PCV-2 infection.

An ELISA Based on a Truncated Soluble ORF2 Protein for the Detection of PCV2 Antibodies in Domestic Pigs

Postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) is an important swine disease that is closely associated with porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2). The capsid protein (Cap protein) is a major structural protein that has at least three immunoreactive regions, and it can be a suitable candidate antigen for detecting the specific antibodies of a PCV2 infection. In the present study, an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (TcELISA) based on a truncated soluble Cap protein produced in Escherichia coli (E.coli) was established and validated for the diagnostic PCV2 antibodies in swine. The TcELISA was validated by comparison with an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IIFA). The diagnostic sensitivity (DSN), specificity (DSP), and accuracy of the TcELISA were 88.6%, 90.7% and 89.4%, respectively. The agreement rate was 89.38% between results obtained with TcELISA and IIFA on 113 field sera. A cross-reactivity assay showed that the method was PCV2-specific by comparison with other sera of viral disease. Therefore ,the TcELISA will be helpful for the development of a reliable serology diagnostic test for large scale detection of PCV2 antibodies and for the evaluation of vaccine against PCV2 in swine.

The truncated form of fagellin (tFlic) provides the 2dCap subunit vaccine with better immunogenicity and protective efects in mice

Porcine circovirus type 2(PCV2)is the main causative agent of porcine circovirus-associated diseases,and it causes substantial economic losses in the swine industry each year.It is crucial to develop an efective vaccine against the circulating strain PCV2d,which is prone to substantial degrees of mutation.In this study,a truncated form of fagellin(tFlic:85-111 aa)was inserted into the C-terminal sequence of 2dCap,and Western blotting results showed that recombinant Cap-tFlic VLPs were successfully expressed.Transmission electron microscopy(TEM)and dynamic light scattering(DLS)data indicated that purifed recombinant Cap-tFlic fusion proteins existed in the form of polymers and that tFlic could not afect the formation and internalization of VLPs.Integrated Cap-tFlic VLPs induced the expression of antigen presentation-related factors(MHC-II and CD86)by bone marrow-derived dendritic cells(BM-DCs),and the expression of TLR5-related factors(TNF-α)was dramatically elevated.Mice intramuscularly immunized with Cap-tFlic VLPs exhibited signifcantly higher levels of Cap-specifc antibodies and neutralizing antibodies than mice immunized with wild-type Cap VLPs.The data obtained in the current study indicate that Cap-tFlic may be a candidate for a subunit vaccine against PCV2 in the future.