Studies on molecular basis of pathogenesis of rinderpest virus and molecular epidemiology

合作研究牛瘟病毒的目的是进行基本的病毒学和免疫学研究，并将研究结果应用于流行地区牛瘟的分子诊断、流行病学调查和控制。日本在重组牛瘟疫苗和牛瘟兔模型的发病机理方面发挥了作用，英国集团作为国际牛瘟中心的专业知识和设施，与法国小反刍兽疫（PPR）专家组组成高效的合作研究团队，取得的主要成果简述如下：1.在家兔模型及其自然宿主中进行牛瘟致病机理的病毒学和免疫学研究，牛牛瘟病毒在兔体内的主要靶细胞是CD 5 +T细胞，随后在淋巴组织中广泛扩散，影响大多数淋巴细胞。使用B95a系统可以定量检测牛淋巴组织，2.牛痘病毒载体重组牛瘟疫苗的研究重组牛瘟疫苗在牛体内的免疫效果、免疫持续时间、安全性和遗传稳定性均令人满意，由于其热稳定性高，易于与自然感染相鉴别，这些研究清楚地表明了其在牛瘟防治中的实际应用。3.分子流行病学研究开发了一组抗牛瘟病毒H蛋白的单克隆抗体，并应用于牛瘟与PPR的鉴别诊断。

The aim of the collaborative research on rinderpest virus was to conduct basic virological and immunological studies and to apply the results on the molecular diagnosis, epidemiological survey and control of rinderpest in endemic areas.The Japanese exertise in recombinant rinderpest vaccine and pathogenesis in rabbit model of rinderpest, the expertise and facilities of UK group as an international center of rinderpest, and the expertise in peste des petits ruminants (PPR) in French group made highly effective collaborative research team.Major results obtained are briefly summarized as below.1.Virological and immunological studies on pathogenesis of rinderpest in rabbit model and its natural host, cattlePrimary target of rinderpest virus in rabbits was identified as CD5+T cells followed by wide spread in lymphoid tissues affecting most of the lymphoid cells.Quantitative determination in lymphoid tissues of cattle became possible by the use of B95a system, and the results were compared with those in rabbits.2.Studies on recombinant rinderpest vaccine based on vaccinia virus vector The efficancy, duration of immunity, safety and genetic stability of the recombinant rinderpest vaccine in cattle were found to be satisfactory.Considering its high heat stability and easy differentiation from natural infection, practical application for the control of rinderpest was clearly indicated through these studies.3.Molecular epidemiological studiesA panel of monoclonal antibodies to rinderpest virus H protein was developed, and applied for differential diagnosis between rinderpest and PPR.