9^th International Virology Congress and Expo March 13-14, 2017 London, UK

Biography:

Yuntao Wu has completed his PhD from Queen’s University at Kingston, Ontario, Canada, and Post-doctoral studies from the National Institute of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA. He is a Professor at the National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Diseases, George Mason University, Virginia, USA. He has published more than 50 papers in reputed journals (Cell, Science, PLos Patho, J. Virol, Virology, J. Bio. Chem), and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member of a number of virology journals

Abstract:

HIV infection leads to the gradual depletion of blood CD4 T cells. It has long been recognized that the residual peripheral blood CD4 T cells in HIV-infected patients have numerous functional abnormalities such as loss of T helper function, T cell anergy, abnormal T cell homing and migration. Given the low number of infected T cells found in the peripheral blood, these T cell defects largely result from a bystander effect. It is possible that chronic immune activation, persistent exposure to viral proteins, or abortive infections may trigger persistent signals in CD4 T cells, pushing them towards dysfunctioning. Nevertheless, a molecular marker clinically representing HIV-mediated T cell dysfunction is lacking. Cofilin is an actin-depolymerizing factor that regulating actin dynamics for T cell migration and activation. Previously, we demonstrated that during HIV-1 infection of blood resting CD4 T cells, the viral envelope protein triggers CXCR4 signaling to activate cofilin to overcome the static cortical actin restriction in resting CD4 T cells. We have also speculated that in HIV-infected patients, cofilin activity could be abnormally altered by gp120-CXCR4/CCR5 signaling. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a clinical trial to example the cofilin status in blood resting CD4 T cells of HIV-infected MSM cohort in the AIDS Clinical Center of China Medical University. Cell lysates from un-stimulated blood resting CD4 T cells were prepared and analyzed by a reverse phase phospho-cofilin microarray (performed by Theranostics Health Inc. Rockville, MD). We found that there is a significant difference in cofilin phosphorylation between infected and healthy controls. HIV-infected patients carry significantly higher levels of active cofilin (dephosphorylated). Surprisingly, ART treatment did not restore cofilin phosphorylation to the healthy control level. These results demonstrate that cofilin could serve as a new clinical marker to quantify HIV-mediated T cell dysfunction; complementary therapies additional to ART may also be required to restore cofilin phosphorylation to a healthy level. 

Biography:

Anil Kumar is completed his education in Kanpur University, Kanpur, India, 1987. He is currently working as an Chair and Professor, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Pharmacy Division of Pharmacology. He is current Research Interests on Effect of drug and alcohol abuse on pathogenesis of AIDS, Identification of target of immune responses in HIV-1 during natural infection, Compartmentalization of HIV during natural infection, Vaccine approaches in monkey model of AIDS

Abstract:

HIV associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) remains a major concern for patients infected with HIV. The viral envelope protein, gp120 has been extensively studied and some of its neurotoxic effects are due to the increased expression of various proinflammatory cytokines. Additionally, it has been well documented that various drugs of abuse can exacerbate HAND, but the mechanism by which this occurs is still poorly understood. The present study was based on the central hypothesis that HIV-1 gp120 and methamphetamine (MA) interact with each other to increase the cytotoxicity in the astrocytes, which is mediated via induction of various pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines and oxidative stress. In order to test these hypothesis four different studies were designed. We also investigated the mechanism(s) and pathways involved in the functional interaction between gp120 and MA. Furthermore, in order to understand the functional implications of the interaction between MA and gp120, we examined the combined effect of MA and gp120 to produce oxidative stress and apoptotic cell death. We also studies the involvement of ER stress in the HIV-1 gp120-mediated cell death in the astrocytes.  We investigated the role of gp120 in the cytokine production in astrocytes. SVGA astrocytes and human fetal astrocytes were either transfected with a plasmid coding gp120 or treated with recombinant gp120 protein and the expression levels of various cytokines at RNA and protein levels were measured. In order to better explain the role of gp120 in the induction of proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines, 3 major and highly induced cytokines/chemokines were screened and further mechanistic studies were aimed with these 3 cytokines/chemokines. We investigated the role of NF- κB pathway in the transcriptional regulation followed by studies to identify molecular mechanisms.

In conclusion, we have shown that both MA and gp120 independently and in combination increased the production of pro-inflammatory cytokine/chemokines via different pathways. The functional consequences for the interaction between gp120 and MA led to oxidative stress and ER stress, which resulted in apoptotic cell death in astrocytes. Thus, our current studies provide the evidence and underlying mechanisms for the neurotoxic potential of HIV protein, gp120 and substance of abuse, methamphetamine. 

Biography:

Catherine H. Schein developed the first industrial scale methods for producing recombinant interferons and related cytokines at Biogen SA. After transitioning to academia, her research group explored the differences in control of nuclease function mediated by type 1 and 2 IFNs and how this related to their different structures. Her current research at FfAME, an institute that specializes in polymerase design, novel nucleotides and viral diagnostics, uses viral sequence data to define pathogenic signatures that direct host and organ targeting, physicochemical property consensus sequences for multivalent vaccine design and identifying inhibitors of enterovirus replication

Abstract:

Interferon (IFN) were among the first cytokines to be produced recombinant, and the first antiviral proteins to be marketed. Since initial cloning in the late 1970ies, many types of IFNs and a host of cellular proteins induced by IFNs have been identified that are important in attacking viruses directly (e.g., through nuclease induction) or indirectly, through affecting cellular proteins that are required for their replication. The most pathogenic viruses (for example, Ebola) have developed mechanisms to directly interfere with these pathways, which limits the use of IFN as a direct treatment. However, mediators capable of upregulating later steps in IFN-controlled pathways may provide novel therapies to evade these pathogen induced, intracellular blockades.

The antiviral activity of IFN is “hit and run” in nature. Typically, IFN concentrations rise rapidly in the first days after infection, and then drop to undetectable levels as antibody-based responses deal with circulating virus. There is mounting evidence that this decrease in IFN levels is essential. Chronically high levels of IFN, used in treating Hepatitis C infection or diseases without clear viral etiology, such as multiple sclerosis can cause side effects. High circulating concentrations of IFN and IFN-induced proteins are found in diseases characterized by systemic inflammation, including lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. Thus a new group of anti-IFN therapeutics is now in testing, to control immune responses to these important biological response factors. 

Biography:

Ausama graduated at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University. He was awarded his PhD in 2002 at South Dakota State University. He published several papers on developing diagnostic reagents and vaccines for the control of emerging transboundary pathogens like lumpy skin disease virus. He was first to isolate a pestivirus from camels. Professor Yousif also worked with the industry on several aspects of the production and quality control of several vaccines, including Rift Valley fever virus, foot and mouth disease virus, and camelpox virus vaccines. His current research focus is on improving vaccines and vaccine-based control programs

Abstract:

Capripoxviruses are genetically and antigenically similar. Sheeppox virus (SPPV) and goatpox virus (GPV) cause diseases in ovines and caprines, respectively. Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) causes lumpy skin disease (LSD) in cattle. LSD is endemic in Africa and the Middle East, and was recentrly introduced into Europe and Russia . Live attenuated SPPV is used as a vaccine in endemic areas. Cattle vaccinated using SPPV can develop LSD due to induction of partial protection, or as a result of vaccine seed contamination with non-highly-attenuated LSDV. LSD control and vaccine production can be enhanced by differentiation between LSDV and SPPV using a highly specific, simple, rapid, and inexpensive PCR assay. In this study, primers were designed to specifically amplify conserved LSDV sequences spanning parts of LSDV100, and LSDV101 genes. The design allowed the amplification of a 503 bp PCR product that was used for diagnosis. An alternative reverse primer allowed the amplification of a LSDV-specific 1583 bp PCR product for sequencing. The diagnostic assay detection limit was 585 genome-copy-equivalents of LSDV/5 ul of extract. A real-time assay was 10 times more sensitive. LSDV DNA was detected in skin samples collected from 1988 to 2015. Amplification of LSDV sequences was not affected by lesion size and distribution (localized or generalized) on infected animals. Application of the developed assay for the quality control of local LSD vaccines resulted in the detection of LSDV contamination of a local SPPV vaccine. The incorporation of the developed assay in LSD control programs was recommended.

Biography:

Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) has become an emerging pathogen that causes significant losses in tomato crops worldwide. Several interception reports of PepMV on Moroccan tomato fruit have been stated, but the current situation of the disease is unlikely and the molecular characterization of PepMV population in Morocco has not been determined yet. A primary aim of this work was to develop a monoclonal antibody-based double antibody sandwich ELISA (DAS-ELISA) with sufficient sensitivity and specificity to detect PepMV in tomato. Another aim was to determine the genetic composition of Moroccon PepMV population. For this purpose, first we generated hybridoma cell lines secreting PepMV-specific Mab. Besides, the genomic nucleotide sequences of a part of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), triple gene block (TGB) and coat protein (CP) were determined. As results, the developed DAS-ELISA test was able to detect PepMV with a suitable sensitivity. Furthermore, the phylogenic relationship among isolates and the known genotypes showed that the Moroccan population shares a very high sequence identity with CH2 strains. As well, Moroccan isolates reveal some specific single nucleotide polymorphisms that lead to distinct variants. Thus, this study will contribute to a timely and rapid detection of PepMV and the genotype determination would be a prerequisite for prevention and deploying effective strategies in disease management.

Abstract:

Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) has become an emerging pathogen that causes significant losses in tomato crops worldwide. Several interception reports of PepMV on Moroccan tomato fruit have been stated, but the current situation of the disease is unlikely and the molecular characterization of PepMV population in Morocco has not been determined yet. A primary aim of this work was to develop a monoclonal antibody-based double antibody sandwich ELISA (DAS-ELISA) with sufficient sensitivity and specificity to detect PepMV in tomato. Another aim was to determine the genetic composition of Moroccon PepMV population. For this purpose, first we generated hybridoma cell lines secreting PepMV-specific Mab. Besides, the genomic nucleotide sequences of a part of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), triple gene block (TGB) and coat protein (CP) were determined. As results, the developed DAS-ELISA test was able to detect PepMV with a suitable sensitivity. Furthermore, the phylogenic relationship among isolates and the known genotypes showed that the Moroccan population shares a very high sequence identity with CH2 strains. As well, Moroccan isolates reveal some specific single nucleotide polymorphisms that lead to distinct variants. Thus, this study will contribute to a timely and rapid detection of PepMV and the genotype determination would be a prerequisite for prevention and deploying effective strategies in disease management.

Biography:

Dr. Ulrich Desselberger is the Professor in the Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, UK. He is having above 100 publications in peer review journals.

Abstract:

Biography:

Oksana F. Blotska, DVM has completed her PhD at the age of 34 years from Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Kyiv, Ukraine. She is Head of the Division of Check and Industrial Virus Strains Support of the Department of Biotechnology and Control of Quality of Viral Preparations of The State Science-Control Institute of Biotechnology and Strains of Microorganisms. She has published more than 30 papers in reputed journals. 

Abstract:

In accordance with OIE classification, African swine fever (ASF) is attributed to especially dangerous diseases. ASF is caused by highly pathogenic DNA virus, which provokes severe economic losses and expansion threats. No specific protection or vaccine against ASF is available. Currently, 22 genotypes of African swine fever virus (ASFV) were registered. The first case of ASF in Ukraine was registered in 1977 year in Odeska region, where all pig population was destroyed not only in the outbreak of the disease, but also in the 30-kilometer zone. Later in 2012, it was next case in domestic swine in the Zaporozhye region. Ukraine reacted in time to detect the disease, and the virus did not spread. But unfortunately in 2014 year 16 cases of ASF: 12 incidents in wild boars and 4 cases in domestic pigs were fixed. Since the beginning of 2015 in Ukraine, detected 39 points disadvantaged in relation to ASF: 5 incidents in wild boars and 34 cases in domestic pigs. In 2016, 5 cases of ASF: 2 incidents in wild boars and 3 cases in domestic pigs was revealed. The situation with regard to wild and domestic pigs changed in 2015-2016. Sequencing of three independent areas of the genome of ASFV, that were discovered in Ukraine showed, that the isolates was 100% homologous with isolates that caused the outbreaks in Eastern Europe, starting with the entry of the virus in Georgia in 2007. That made it possible to include the virus strain that caused the disease of ASF in Ukraine to genotype II. Course of the disease of ASF at pigs in Ukraine is the incubation period duration of 2-6 days. For II genotype of ASF as a rule only acute form for 3-7 days. Scientists of our institute developed, tested and registered, in the established order, the test kit for the diagnosis of ASF for molecular genetic techniques. However, ASF problem is that it’s not just a question of the security of Ukraine, but also the European Union as a whole. These things should be done in our opinion on the national and international level in order to control the situation regarding to ASF: Acquire the most new knowledge by monitoring the spread of the ASF in the world; carry out risk analysis; expand bank of diagnostic material; and control the number of wild boars per 1 sq.km

Biography:

Abstract: