Adenovirus type 12 E1A protein expressed in Escherichia coli is functional upon transfer by microinjection or protoplast fusion into mammalian cells

We efficiently expressed, in Escherichia coli, and purified the protein product encoded by the human adenovirus type 12 (Ad12) 13S mRNA. The functional properties of the E1A protein were analyzed by introducing the protein by microinjection or protoplast fusion into living mammalian cells. We showed that the E. coli-expressed E1A protein induces gene expression of the adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) E1A deletion mutant Ad5dl312. The purified E1A protein rapidly and quantitatively localized to the cell nucleus after microinjection into the cytoplasm. In addition, we raised high-titered monospecific antibodies to the purified Ad12 E1A protein. Using deleted forms of an adenovirus type 2 and Ad5 hybrid (Ad2/5) E1A protein, we showed that all of the epitopes conserved between Ad2/5 E1A and Ad12 E1A protein that are recognized by the Ad12 E1A-specific antiserum map to within the first exon-encoded amino-terminal half of the protein.

Transformation of rat hepatocytes by transfection with simian virus 40 DNA to yield proliferating differentiated cells

Cultured hepatocytes from adult Fischer 344 rats were transformed by virion or cloned simian virus 40 (SV40) DNA using the calcium phosphate method. Transformation by SV40 occurred in either serum-supplemented medium or chemically defined medium (CDM). The frequency was greatest in serum-supplemented medium but transformants did not remain differentiated. In contrast, SV40 transformants developed less frequently in CDM, but retained differentiated functions. The frequency of transformation was enhanced by treatments that stimulated cell proliferation, in particular supplementing CDM with epidermal growth factor. Hepatocytes transformed in CDM were epithelial in morphology, secreted albumin, transferrin, hemopexin, and expressed the enzyme glucose-6-phosphatase, all characteristics of normal liver. Transformants did not produce detectable levels of alpha-fetoprotein, a marker of fetal or abnormal liver. We conclude that (a) hepatocytes can be transformed by transfection with SV40 DNA; (b) the frequency of transformation is enhanced by stimulating DNA synthesis; and (c) the transformed cells retain specific functions of normal hepatocytes in situ. Using this system it will be possible to study transformation of hepatocytes by viral and cellular oncogenes and to determine their effects on hepatocellular differentiation.

Assembly factors in poliovirus morphogenesis

Extracts of poliovirus-infected HeLa cells promoted the in vitro assembly of 14 S subunits into empty capsids antigenically indistinguishable from procapsids. When infected cells were treated with iodoacetamide, the extract lacked the assembly promoting activity. This activity was restored by the addition of heat-disrupted virions, but the empty capsids formed in this system were antigenically different from procapsids. This and other observations introduce a distinction between the "assembly promoting" and "antigenicity conferring" activities of infected-cell extracts.

Effect of nickel sulfate on cellular proliferation and Epstein-Barr virus antigen expression in lymphoblastoid cell lines

Nickel is found in high levels in the environment of the high-risk areas for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) of China. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with NPC and the interaction of nickel and EBV may be a contributive cofactor to the development of NPC. The study of the in vitro effect of nickel sulfate on cell proliferation and EBV-antigen expression demonstrated that nickel increases cell proliferation of some EBV-positive lymphoblastoid cell lines and increases early antigen expression of Raji cells. Nickel exerted variable effects on viral capsid antigen (VCA): increasing VCA-positive cells in B95-8 cells while decreasing VCA in P3HR-1 cells. It is proposed that the uptake of nickel in NPC high-risk areas could be one of the factors responsible for cancer development in the nasopharynx in China.

Early detection of cytomegalovirus in cell culture by a monoclonal antibody

A commercially available monoclonal antibody directed against early cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigen was used for the demonstration of CMV by immunofluorescence (IF) in cell culture within 2 days. The results were compared with the appearance of CMV-specific cytopathogenic effect (CPE). Urine specimens from 31 healthy children in day-care centers were inoculated on human embryonic fibroblasts. In addition, 45 CMV strains that had been stored at -70 degrees C were reinoculated. CMV was detected in 8/31 urine specimens by IF and 7 of these gave a specific CPE at an average of 16 days post-inoculation. One specimen was negative by IF but specific CPE was found at day 13. After reinoculation, CMV was detected in 76% by IF while 44 specimens developed CPE within a 6-week period. Demonstration of early CMV antigen in cell culture was found to be a rapid method for early diagnosis of CMV. Since the conventional cell culture with detection of CPE was more sensitive it may be useful to combine the two methods.

Centrifugation-augmented solid-phase immunoassay (CASPIA) for the rapid diagnosis of infectious diseases

We have devised centrifugation-augmented solid-phase immunoassays (CASPIAs) for the detection of microbial pathogens in human body fluids. The CASPIA format combines several features of latex agglutination and solid-phase immunoassay systems to produce an assay system that is inexpensive and simple to perform. We found that CASPIA systems for the detection of rotaviral, group A streptococcal, and Haemophilus influenzae type b antigens were significantly more sensitive than latex agglutination assays and at least as sensitive as enzyme immunoassay systems using analogous reagents. Because CASPIA reactions could either be read macroscopically, recorded with a standard office photocopying device, or quantitated by means of a microplate colorimeter, the assays were applicable under a wide range of clinical and laboratory conditions.

Sequential detection of different antigens induced by Epstein-Barr virus and herpes simplex virus in the same Western blot by using dual antibody probes

A dual antibody probing technique that permitted a color-coded identification of polypeptides representing different classes of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antigens as well as differentiation of the polypeptides induced by different herpesviruses in the same Western blot was developed. When the nitrocellulose sheet was probed first with monoclonal antibody against EBV early antigen diffuse component (EA-D) and then stained with 4-chloro-1-naphthol, four polypeptides specific for EA-D were identified by purple bands. Subsequently, the same nitrocellulose sheet was reprobed with human serum containing antibodies against EBV early antigen, viral capsid antigen, and nuclear antigen and stained with 3,3'-diaminobenzidine. Several brown bands corresponding to early, viral capsid, and nuclear antigen polypeptides were detected. The dual antibody probing technique was used in an analysis to differentiate polypeptides resulting from either EBV or herpes simplex virus infection, either in cells infected by individual virus or in a cell line dually infected by both viruses. On the basis of different colored bands in different lanes of the same gel, 20 polypeptides with molecular weights ranging from 31,000 to 165,000 were identified as herpes simplex virus-specific proteins. These results suggested that the dual antibody probing technique may be applicable in clinical diagnosis for detecting antigens and antibodies derived from different pathogens.

Inclusion body myositis: a chronic persistent mumps myositis?

Among the generalized chronic idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, inclusion body myositis (IBM) has emerged as a clinico-pathologic variant during the past two decades. It occurs primarily in elderly persons (in approximately the sixth decade of life), but young adults (in approximately the second decade of life) may also be affected. Slowly progressive weakness of distal as well as proximal muscle groups in IBM is usually not associated with skin rash, malignancy or collagen-vascular disease, and is refractory to treatment with steroids or other immunosuppressants. Exceptions to each of these general rules have been found. Muscle biopsy and electromyography may suggest a neurogenic process mixed with myopathic features. Rimmed vacuoles with basophilic granules in cryostat sections stained with hematoxylin-eosin are strongly suggestive of IBM if accompanied by the histopathologic triad of polymyositis. The presence of eosinophilic intranuclear or cytoplasmic inclusions in affected myofibers is further suggestive of IBM. The ultimate diagnosis, however, depends on ultrastructural demonstration of characteristic microtubular filaments resembling the nucleocapsids of the paramyxovirus group. Recent reports of immunostaining of the inclusions for mumps virus antigen strongly suggest a chronic persistent mumps virus infection as the cause of IBM. IBM is considered to be pathologically related to both distal myopathy (DM) and oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD).

Rescue of presumptive viral information from human cells by a helper oncovirus

We have attempted to rescue presumptive human endogenous retrovirus(es) by using a competent animal oncovirus as a helper. Human melanoma cells (line HMB2) were fused, using polyethylene glycol, with mouse NIH-3T3 cells which had been infected and transformed by the Harvey murine leukaemia and sarcoma virus complex (MLV and MSV). The heteropolykaryons obtained were co-cultivated with fresh NIH-3T3 cells; filtered (Millipore 0.22 micron) medium from these was used to infect further NIH-3T3 cells. In these cells after several passages, vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) pseudotypes could be produced. These were infectious not only for mouse cells (manifesting the helper MLV), but also for human cells (HeLa, HEC human embryo fibroblasts, HMB2); they were not infectious for CCL64 (mink) or for Vero (African green monkey) cells. The presence of such VSV pseudotypes infectious for human cells indicated that a human ecotropic virus [provisionally named rescued human virus (RHV)] had been rescued by the fusion of human melanoma cells with MLV-infected mouse cells. This was supported by the following evidence. The human-specific pseudotype was neutralized by sheep antisera raised to antigens selected by VSV from human tumour cell lines HMB2, T47D and HeLa. These antisera also aggregated NIH cells infected with MLV and RHV. Mouse antisera raised to antigens present in HIH cells infected with MLV and RHV, in contrast to sera raised to NIH cells infected with MLV only, immunoprecipitated an 85,000 mol. wt. protein band from human cells (HEC, HMB2 and HeLa) surface-labelled with 125I.

Expression of the Epstein-Barr virus nuclear protein 2 in rodent cells

A 3.0-kilobase-pair Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA segment necessary for lymphocyte immortalization encodes at least part of a nuclear protein (EBNA2) which is characteristically expressed in latently infected, immortalized cells. A 1.5-kilobase open reading frame within this DNA segment has now been inserted into a murine leukemia virus (MuLV)-derived expression vector (pZIP-NEO-SV(X)1) which provides for transcription of heterologous DNA but not for translational start. Transfection of the recombinant DNA into NIH 3T3 cells resulted in expression of a full-sized EBNA2 which localized to the cell nucleus. Significant new evidence is thereby provided that this 1.5 kilobase open reading frame includes a translational start site and encodes the entire EBNA2 protein. Transfection of the recombinant DNA into a helper cell line (psi am22b) providing amphotropic MuLV-packaging functions resulted in the release of a recombinant MuLV carrying the EBNA2 gene. This recombinant virus can infect rodent cells and convert them to stable EBNA2 expression. Rat-1 cells infected with the MuLV EBNA2 recombinant expressed EBNA2 and grew more rapidly in medium supplemented with 1 or 0.5% fetal calf serum than did Rat-1 cells infected with MuLV vector lacking EBNA2. The Rat-1 cells expressing EBNA2 remained contact inhibited, anchorage dependent, and nontumorigenic in nude mice. Different EBV isolates have one of at least two EBNA2 alleles. Despite divergence between the two alleles, a human serum recognized the prototype EBNA2 allele (EBNA2A) as well as the variant EBNA2B allele characteristic of some Burkitt tumor EBV isolates. The EBNA2B allele was also expressed from the MuLV-derived vector. The reproducible expression of EBNA2A or EBNA2B from these recombinant vectors will facilitate analysis of the EBNA2A and EBNA2B phenotypes.

A routine method for the establishment of permanent growing lymphoblastoid cell lines

Permanent lymphoblastoid cell lines are of great practical value in human clinical and experimental genetics. A detailed protocol for routine use is given for the establishment of lymphoblastoid lines from peripheral blood using Epstein-Barr virus and the immunosuppressivum Cyclosporin A. In addition, the biologic basis of this transformation system is briefly summarized.

Fecal excretion of Greek strains of hepatitis A virus in patients with hepatitis A and in experimentally infected chimpanzees

The presence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) in stool samples was determined in 36 children (mean age, 8.9 years) and 38 adults (mean age, 19.9 years) with acute type A hepatitis. Three stool samples, taken on admission and thereafter at three-to-five-day intervals, were collected from each patient. The first day of dark urine was considered to be the onset of illness. Molecular hybridization of cloned HAV cDNA to fecal extracts was used to detect HAV RNA; radioimmunoassay was used to detect HAV antigen. In all of the samples tested, HAV RNA was detected significantly more frequently than HAV antigen (28.4% vs. 8.1%, P less than .001). HAV RNA was detected with equal frequency in both children and adults during the first week of illness. However, HAV RNA was detected more frequently in children than in adults during the second week of illness (45.7% vs. 18.9%, P less than .05). Among patients with HAV RNA, detection in multiple samples was more frequent in children than in adults (38.9% vs. 7.9%, P less than .01), especially among males.

The relationship of the herpesvirus family to sudden hearing loss: a prospective clinical study and literature review

The herpesvirus family is associated with sudden hearing loss syndrome and the evidence includes clinical findings (HV-Z), temporal bone studies (CMV and HV-Z), and serologic studies. The data presented demonstrate that herpes infections, in association with sudden viral hearing loss, occur as part of a multiple viral infection in 70% of instances. This feature is unique to the herpesvirus infections when compared to other neurotropic viral agents. The study also demonstrates that the variables of viral hearing loss, such as degree of hearing loss, percentage of recovery, or the incidence of vertigo are unaffected by the presence of herpesvirus infection. Mechanisms for inner ear injury may be influenced by temporary alterations in cellular immunity secondary to simultaneous viral infections as well as the native virulence of the infecting herpesvirus.

Improved ELISA for the detection of adenovirus antigen in faeces extracts by the biotin/streptavidin interaction

Two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for detection of adenovirus antigen in faecal extracts have been established. A conjugate of rabbit anti-(human) adenovirus immunoglobulin and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) prepared by means of a hetero-bifunctional reagent, N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithio) propionate (SPDP), was used in the conventional ELISA, and a biotin-labelled antibody in combination with a streptavidin/peroxidase complex in the other (BS-ELISA). A collection of 60 faecal extracts, in which adenovirus had been demonstrated by immunosorbent electron microscopy (ISEM) in 29 samples, was selected and examined by ELISA and BS-ELISA. The presence of adenovirus was demonstrated in 38 (63%) of the samples by BS-ELISA compared to 34 (58%) by ELISA, showing the advantage of the biotin/streptavidin system for setting up ELISA assays. Comparison of the three different techniques showed that the biotin/streptavidin (BS-ELISA) is the most sensitive assay for detection of adenovirus antigen in faecal samples.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay spin amplification technique for herpes simplex virus antigen detection

A comparative study of herpes simplex virus diagnosis by standard cell culture and a new hybrid test (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay spin amplification technique) was done on 300 specimens. The new test was found to be equally sensitive and specific, much less expensive to perform, and to report all results in 48 h.

[Pathological and clinical observations on precancerous lesions of the vulva]

The vulvar epithelial lesions which have been subjected to histological examinations in Nagasaki University Hospital (1965-1985) and its 5 affiliated hospitals (1975-1985) included 133 cases in vulvar dystrophies, 72 in other benign lesions, 18 in squamous cell carcinoma in situ, 10 in vulvar Paget's disease, and 59 in invasive carcinoma. These lesions were studied pathologically and endocrinologically, and the pathogenesis of vulvar carcinoma and whose clinical problems were discussed. Serum hormone level in lichen sclerosus In a lichen sclerosus group, serum testosterone level was higher, as compared to that of a coetaneous group in the control, and androstenedione remained normal whereas 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) was decreased significantly. This led us to apply a 2% testosterone propionate ointment to the local skin, and which resulted in an apparent increase in DHT; the greater the increase multiple, the more the significance in clinical efficacy; suggesting that application of testosterone ointment may lead to the activation of 5 alpha-reductase and subsequently to an increase in DHT by which clinical symptoms also were alleviated. Papillomavirus antigen A test was carried out, for each lesion to search human papillomavirus (HPV) antigen, using avidin-bioton peroxidase complex (ABC) method with monoclonal antibody against papillomavirus. The results obtained revealed that antigens were negative on all in the case with lichen sclerosus and in a hyperplastic dystrophy case not associated with atypia, but cases judged as being positive included 9 of 14 with atypia and 5 of 6 with carcinoma in situ.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Characterization of two related Epstein-Barr virus-encoded membrane proteins that are differentially expressed in Burkitt lymphoma and in vitro-transformed cell lines

Two related but differentially expressed potential membrane proteins of Epstein-Barr virus are encoded by the same reading frame in the EcoRI D het region of the viral genome. Potential antigenic sites in the amino acid sequence of these proteins were selected by computer-aided prediction of the secondary structure and two oligopeptides corresponding to regions located in different parts of the proteins were synthesized chemically. Rabbit antisera to these peptides were used for immunoprecipitation of the native viral proteins from Epstein-Barr virus-positive cell lines from various sources. Both predicted membrane proteins could be precipitated from cell lines that had been transformed in vitro with EBV or from cell lines derived from infectious mononucleosis patients. In cell lines established from Burkitt lymphoma, only the smaller polypeptide, which lacks 138 amino acids from the amino terminus, could be identified. Using the synthetic peptides as antigens in ELISA, we detected elevated antibody titers in sera from patients with infectious mononucleosis and nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Immunologic comparison of the proteins of pseudorabies (Aujeszky's disease) virus and bovine herpesvirus-1

The immunologic relationship between bovine herpesvirus-1 and pseudorabies virus was examined by 80% serum cross-neutralization test, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and Western immunoblotting procedures. Immunogenic cross reactivity between the 2 viruses was observed with both the serum-neutralization test and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A probing of viral Western immunoblots with rabbit hyperimmune antiserum showed that there were a number of viral-specific cross-reactive proteins between bovine herpesvirus-1 and pseudorabies virus.

Eradication of herpes simplex virus persistence in rat trigeminal ganglia by retrograde axoplasmic transport

Potential use of retrograde axoplasmic flow to eradicate virus persistence in ganglionic cells was studied in a new herpes simplex virus (HSV) persistence model in rat trigeminal ganglia. After injection of the F strain of HSV type 1 into the mental nerve, viral antigens were detectable in the ganglia by the immunofluorescence and peroxidase methods between postinoculation (p.i.) days 3 and 6 but not thereafter. None of 82 inoculated rats showed signs of acute illness, and some survived for more than 502 days without symptoms. By cocultivation of ganglion tissues with Vero cells, the virus was isolated from 42 of 49 ganglia (85.7%) between 15 and 386 days (p.i.). HSV DNA was solely localized in the nucleus of neurons by immunoperoxidase staining of paraffin sections with a biotinylated HSV DNA probe, and the presence of HSV DNA-positive cells was confirmed in four of four ganglia on p.i. day 6 and in five of six on p.i. day 502. The efficacy of axoplasmic flow in drug delivery to ganglionic cells was investigated by injection of doxorubicin (ADM) into the nerve once used for virus inoculation. As early as 19 h after injection, strong ADM-specific autofluorescence was seen in the nuclei of neurons parental to the mental nerve and in those of adjacent Schwann cells, and the death of ADM-positive cells subsequently ensued. A single injection of ADM reduced the virus isolation rate from 31/37 (84%) to 3/37 (8%).

Vaccinia virus proteins on the plasma membranes of infected cells. IV. Studies employing L cells infected with ultraviolet-irradiated vaccinia virions

As measured by in vitro, 51Cr-release assays, the expression on plasma membranes of two, immediate-early, vaccinia virus-specified cell-surface antigens, with mol wt of 25K-27K and 16K-17K, could be directly correlated with the susceptibility of target cells to lysis by vaccinia virus-specific cytotoxic T cells.

Expression of human immunodeficiency virus antigen (HIV-Ag) in serum and cerebrospinal fluid during acute and chronic infection

Human immunodeficiency virus antigen (HIV-Ag) was detected in the serum of most adult (13/16) and paediatric (6/6) AIDS patients and rarely in the serum of symptomless seropositive controls (1/13). It was present in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of all 5 children and most (5/9) adults with AIDS-related encephalopathy, but not in the CSF of 13 symptomless seropositive controls, of whom 8 had antibody in the CSF. A longitudinal study of 1 of the controls with antibody in the CSF showed that HIV-Ag in CSF was present transiently before the occurrence of antibody in the CSF. In serial samples of serum from 35 men who seroconverted HIV-Ag was detected in 11 persons--in 5 before seroconversion and in 6 after. 3 of the 6 who became antigenaemic after seroconversion remained so for the rest of the follow-up. AIDS was diagnosed in 1 patient, 3 months after HIV-Ag was first detected in serum and 6 months after seroconversion. The findings suggest that HIV-Ag appears early and transiently in primary HIV infection. Antibody production follows, after which HIV-Ag may disappear. Its persistence or reappearance seems to correlate with clinical, immunological, and neurological deterioration.

Markers of HTLV-III in patients with end stage renal failure treated by haemodialysis

Patients and members of staff from a haemodialysis unit were tested for markers of infection with human T cell lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III), the virus associated with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). An enzyme linked immunosorbent assay showed eight of 100 patients to have antibodies to HTLV-III. In five of these patients past or present infection with HTLV-III was confirmed by Western blot analysis or detection of HTLV-III antigens in lymphocyte cultures, or both. Investigation of other risk factors for AIDS showed that the putative source of HTLV-III was unrelated to dialysis in two patients whereas blood transfusion was the most likely cause of contamination in the others. No member of staff gave a positive result in the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Nosocomial transmission of HTLV-III seems unlikely if precautions similar to those recommended for the control of hepatitis B infection are applied.