Generation of hepatitis E virus-like particles of two new genotypes G5 and G6 and comparison of antigenic properties with those of known genotypes.
In addition to the four major genotypes (G1 through G4) known for human hepatitis E virus (HEV), two new genotypes (G5 and G6) were suggested, based on unique viral nucleotide sequences derived from wild boars in Japan. It has been unknown whether the virus of these new genotypes can cause hepatitis in humans; neither G5 nor G6 HEV has been found in patients to date. To study the antigenic properties of G5 and G6 HEV, we expressed N-terminus-truncated HEV ORF2 protein by a recombinant baculovirus system, and we obtained virus-like particles (VLPs) for both G5 and G6. The VLPs showed antigenic cross-reactivity against G1, G3 and G4 HEV more strongly than against ferret or rat HEV. Moreover, both anti-G5 and anti-G6 VLPs antibodies could neutralize G3 HEV's ability to infect PLC/PRF/5 cells, suggesting that G5 and G6 HEV have the same serotype as human HEV.
Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Gakuen 4-7-1, Musashi-murayama, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan. Electronic address: litc@nih.go.jp.
Tian-Cheng
TC
Li
Department of Pathology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Gakuen 4-7-1, Musashi-murayama, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan.
Michiyo
M
Kataoka
Department of Medical Sciences, Toshiba General Hospital, Shinagawa-Ku, Tokyo 140-8522, Japan.
Kazuaki
K
Takahashi
Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Gakuen 4-7-1, Musashi-murayama, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan.
Sayaka
S
Yoshizaki
Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Gakuen 4-7-1, Musashi-murayama, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan.
Takanobu
T
Kato
Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Gakuen 4-7-1, Musashi-murayama, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan.
Koji
K
Ishii
Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0781, Japan.
Naokazu
N
Takeda
Department of Medical Sciences, Toshiba General Hospital, Shinagawa-Ku, Tokyo 140-8522, Japan.
Shunji
S
Mishiro
Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Gakuen 4-7-1, Musashi-murayama, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan.
Takaji
T
Wakita
D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000378:metabolism; D016367:Baculoviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D003429:Cross Reactions / Q000235:genetics; D005289:Ferrets / Q000821:virology; D005838:Genotype; D016752:Hepatitis E virus / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D051381:Rats / Q000821:virology; D013045:Species Specificity; D034421:Sus scrofa / Q000821:virology*; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014771:Virion / Q000235:genetics*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; C400971:ORF2 protein, Hepatitis E virus; D014764:Viral Proteins
Genotype 5 HEV; Genotype 6 HEV; Insect cells Tn5; Recombinant baculovirus; Serotype; VLPs; Virus-like particles