Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for Viruses Edit a Special Issue

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser

Special Issue "Advances in Parvovirus Research 2022"

Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Related Special Issues
Published Papers

A special issue of Viruses (ISSN 1999-4915). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Viruses".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2023 | Viewed by 13556

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Giorgio Gallinella

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Interests: parvovirus B19; virus–cell interactions; viral infections; recombinant viruses; virological diagnosis; antiviral strategies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue on ‘Advances in Parvovirus Research 2022’ continues the series dedicated to research on viruses belonging to the Parvoviridae family, following the issues “New Insights into Parvovirus Research” (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/viruses/special_issues/Parvovirus) and “Advances in Parvovirus Research 2020” (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/viruses/special_issues/parvovirus_2020).

The aim of this Special Issue is to continue to offer a dedicated opportunity for collecting the newest contributions in the field of parvovirus research, providing new insights and addressing research on unresolved issues. Evolution, structural biology, viral replication, virus–host interaction, pathogenesis and immunity, clinical virology of medical and veterinarian relevance, gene therapy, viral oncotherapy, and novel antiviral strategies are a just selection of topics relevant to research in the field, which can be contributed to this Special Issue.

The Special Issue is associated with the conference “XVIII International Parvovirus Workshop”, which will now be taking place in Rimini, Italy, in June 2022, as an on-site event. The international workshops dedicated to parvoviruses, first held in 1985, are events strictly centered on all aspects of parvovirus research and provide excellent opportunities to focus on research topics in this area. Symposium participants, as well as all researchers working in the field, are cordially invited to contribute original research papers or propose reviews to this Special Issue of Viruses. For further information, visit the dedicated website: https://www.parvovirusworkshop2022.org/

Dr. Giorgio Gallinella
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Viruses is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

parvovirus evolution
parvovirus structure
parvovirus genetics
parvovirus–host interactions
parvovirus pathogenesis and immunity
parvovirus oncolytic therapy
parvovirus viral vectors
antiviral strategies

Related Special Issues

New Insights into Parvovirus Research in Viruses (21 articles)
Advances in Parvovirus Research 2020 in Viruses (15 articles)

Published Papers (11 papers)

Download All Papers

Research

Open AccessArticle

Next Generation Sequencing for the Analysis of Parvovirus B19 Genomic Diversity

Federica Bichicchi

Niccolò Guglietta

Arthur Daniel Rocha Alves

and

Viruses 2023, 15(1), 217; https://doi.org/10.3390/v15010217 - 12 Jan 2023

Viewed by 672

Abstract

Parvovirus B19 (B19V) is a ssDNA human virus, responsible for an ample range of clinical manifestations. Sequencing of B19V DNA from clinical samples is frequently reported in the literature to assign genotype (genotypes 1–3) and for finer molecular epidemiological tracing. The increasing availability of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) with its depth of coverage potentially yields information on intrinsic sequence heterogeneity; however, integration of this information in analysis of sequence variation is not routinely obtained. The present work investigated genomic sequence heterogeneity within and between B19V isolates by application of NGS techniques, and by the development of a novel dedicated bioinformatic tool and analysis pipeline, yielding information on two newly defined parameters. The first, α-diversity, is a measure of the amount and distribution of position-specific, normalised Shannon Entropy, as a measure of intra-sample sequence heterogeneity. The second, σ-diversity, is a measure of the amount of inter-sample sequence heterogeneity, also incorporating information on α-diversity. Based on these indexes, further cluster analysis can be performed. A set of 24 high-titre viraemic samples was investigated. Of these, 23 samples were genotype 1 and one sample was genotype 2. Genotype 1 isolates showed low α-diversity values, with only a few samples showing distinct position-specific polymorphisms; a few genetically related clusters emerged when analysing inter-sample distances, correlated to the year of isolation; the single genotype 2 isolate showed the highest α-diversity, even if not presenting polymorphisms, and was an evident outlier when analysing inter-sample distance. In conclusion, NGS analysis and the bioinformatic tool and pipeline developed and used in the present work can be considered effective tools for investigating sequence diversity, an observable parameter that can be incorporated into the quasispecies theory framework to yield a better insight into viral evolution dynamics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Parvovirus Research 2022)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Open AccessArticle

Design and Characterization of Mutated Variants of the Oncotoxic Parvoviral Protein NS1

Patrick Hauswirth

Philipp Graber

Katarzyna Buczak

Riccardo Vincenzo Mancuso

Susanne Heidi Schenk

Jürg P. F. Nüesch

and

Jörg Huwyler

Viruses 2023, 15(1), 209; https://doi.org/10.3390/v15010209 - 11 Jan 2023

Viewed by 924

Abstract

Oncotoxic proteins such as the non-structural protein 1 (NS1), a constituent of the rodent parvovirus H1 (H1-PV), offer a novel approach for treatment of tumors that are refractory to other treatments. In the present study, mutated NS1 variants were designed and tested with respect to their oncotoxic potential in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. We introduced single point mutations of previously described important residues of the wild-type NS1 protein and a deletion of 114 base pairs localized within the N-terminal domain of NS1. Cell-viability screening with HepG2 and Hep3B hepatocarcinoma cells transfected with the constructed NS1-mutants led to identification of the single-amino acid NS1-mutant NS1-T585E, which led to a 30% decrease in cell viability as compared to NS1 wildtype. Using proteomics analysis, we could identify new interaction partners and signaling pathways of NS1. We could thus identify new oncotoxic NS1 variants and gain insight into the modes of action of NS1, which is exclusively toxic to human cancer cells. Our in-vitro studies provide mechanistic explanations for the observed oncolytic effects. Expression of NS1 variants had no effect on cell viability in NS1 unresponsive control HepG2 cells or primary mouse hepatocytes. The availability of new NS1 variants in combination with a better understanding of their modes of action offers new possibilities for the design of innovative cancer treatment strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Parvovirus Research 2022)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Open AccessArticle

A Phylogeographic Analysis of Porcine Parvovirus 1 in Africa

Viruses 2023, 15(1), 207; https://doi.org/10.3390/v15010207 - 11 Jan 2023

Viewed by 472

Abstract

Porcine parvovirus 1 (PPV1) is recognized as a major cause of reproductive failure in pigs, leading to several clinical outcomes globally known as SMEDI. Despite being known since the late 1960s its circulation is still of relevance to swine producers. Additionally, the emergence of variants such as the virulent 27a strain, for which lower protection induced by vaccines has been demonstrated, is of increasing concern. Even though constant monitoring of PPV1 using molecular epidemiological approaches is of pivotal importance, viral sequence data are scarce especially in low-income countries. To fill this gap, a collection of 71 partial VP2 sequences originating from eight African countries (Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, and Tanzania) during the period 2011–2021 were analyzed within the context of global PPV1 variability. The observed pattern largely reflected what has been observed in high-income regions, i.e., 27a-like strains were more frequently detected than less virulent NADL-8-like strains. A phylogeographic analysis supported this observation, highlighting that the African scenario has been largely shaped by multiple PPV1 importation events from other continents, especially Europe and Asia. The existence of such an international movement coupled with the circulation of potential vaccine-escape variants requires the careful evaluation of the control strategies to prevent new strain introduction and persistence. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Parvovirus Research 2022)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Open AccessCommunication

Carnivore protoparvovirus 1 (CPV-2 and FPV) Circulating in Wild Carnivores and in Puppies Illegally Imported into North-Eastern Italy

Marie-Christin Rossmann

Paolo Zucca

Isabella Monne

and

Paola De Benedictis

Viruses 2022, 14(12), 2612; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14122612 - 23 Nov 2022

Viewed by 707

Abstract

The illegal trade of animals poses several health issues to the global community, among which are the underestimated risk for spillover infection and the potential for an epizootic in both wildlife and domestic naïve populations. We herein describe the genetic and antigenic characterization of viruses of the specie Carnivore protoparvovirus 1 detected at high prevalence in puppies illegally introduced in North Eastern Italy and compared them with those circulating in wild carnivores from the same area. We found evidence of a wide diversity of canine parvoviruses (CPV-2) belonging to different antigenic types in illegally imported pups. In wildlife, we found a high circulation of feline parvovirus (FPV) in golden jackals and badgers, whereas CPV-2 was observed in one wolf only. Although supporting a possible spillover event, the low representation of wolf samples in the present study prevented us from inferring the origin, prevalence and viral diversity of the viruses circulating in this species. Therefore, we suggest performing more thorough investigations before excluding endemic CPV-2 circulation in this species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Parvovirus Research 2022)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Open AccessArticle

Capsid Structure of Aleutian Mink Disease Virus and Human Parvovirus 4: New Faces in the Parvovirus Family Portrait

Renuk Lakshmanan

Mario Mietzsch

Alberto Jimenez Ybargollin

Paul Chipman

Xiaofeng Fu

Jianming Qiu

Maria Söderlund-Venermo

and

Robert McKenna

Viruses 2022, 14(10), 2219; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14102219 - 09 Oct 2022

Viewed by 868

Abstract

Parvoviruses are small, single-stranded DNA viruses with non-enveloped capsids. Determining the capsid structures provides a framework for annotating regions important to the viral life cycle. Aleutian mink disease virus (AMDV), a pathogen in minks, and human parvovirus 4 (PARV4), infecting humans, are parvoviruses belonging to the genera Amdoparvovirus and Tetraparvovirus, respectively. While Aleutian mink disease caused by AMDV is a major threat to mink farming, no clear clinical manifestations have been established following infection with PARV4 in humans. Here, the capsid structures of AMDV and PARV4 were determined via cryo-electron microscopy at 2.37 and 3.12 Å resolutions, respectively. Despite low amino acid sequence identities (10–30%) both viruses share the icosahedral nature of parvovirus capsids, with 60 viral proteins (VPs) assembling the capsid via two-, three-, and five-fold symmetry VP-related interactions, but display major structural variabilities in the surface loops when the capsid structures are superposed onto other parvoviruses. The capsid structures of AMDV and PARV4 will add to current knowledge of the structural platform for parvoviruses and permit future functional annotation of these viruses, which will help in understanding their infection mechanisms at a molecular level for the development of diagnostics and therapeutics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Parvovirus Research 2022)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Open AccessArticle

Self-Assembly of Porcine Parvovirus Virus-like Particles and Their Application in Serological Assay

and

Viruses 2022, 14(8), 1828; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14081828 - 20 Aug 2022

Viewed by 1078

Abstract

Porcine parvovirus (PPV) is widely prevalent in pig farms. PPV is closely related to porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC) and porcine circovirus disease (PCVD), which seriously threatens the healthy development of the pig industry. Although commercial antibody detection kits are available, they are expensive and unsuitable for large-scale clinical practice. Here, a soluble VP2 protein of PPV is efficiently expressed in the E. coli expression system. The VP2 protein can be self-assembled into virus-like particles (VLPs) in vitro. After multiple steps of chromatography purification, PPV-VLPs with a purity of about 95% were obtained. An indirect, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (I-ELISA), comparable to a commercial PPV kit, was developed based on the purified PPV-VLPs and was used to detect 487 clinical pig serum samples. The results showed that the I-ELISA is a simple, cost-effective, and efficient method for the diagnosis of clinical pig serum and plasma samples. In summary, high-purity, tag-free PPV-VLPs were prepared, and the established VLP-based I-ELISA is of great significance for the sero-monitoring of antibodies against PPV. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Parvovirus Research 2022)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Open AccessArticle

Robust AAV Genotyping Based on Genetic Distances in Rep Gene That Are Maintained by Ubiquitous Recombination

Marina I. Beloukhova

Alexander N. Lukashev

Pavel Y. Volchkov

Andrey A. Zamyatnin, Jr.

and

Andrei A. Deviatkin

Viruses 2022, 14(5), 1038; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14051038 - 13 May 2022

Viewed by 1593

Abstract

Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are a convenient tool for gene therapy delivery. According to the current classification, they are divided into the species AAV A and AAV B within the genus Dependoparvovirus. Historically AAVs were also subdivided on the intraspecies level into 13 serotypes, which differ in tissue tropism and targeted gene delivery capacity. Serotype, however, is not a universal taxonomic category, and their assignment is not always robust. Cross-reactivity has been shown, indicating that classification could not rely on the results of serological tests alone. Moreover, since the isolation of AAV4, all subsequent AAVs were subdivided into serotypes based primarily on genetic differences and phylogenetic reconstructions. An increased interest in the use of AAV as a gene delivery tool justifies the need to improve the existing classification. Here, we suggest genotype-based AAV classification below the species level based on the rep gene. A robust threshold was established as 10% nt differences within the 1248 nt genome fragment, with 4 distinct AAV genotypes identified. This distinct sub-species structure is maintained by ubiquitous recombination within, but not between, rep genes of the suggested genotypes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Parvovirus Research 2022)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Open AccessArticle

Oncolytic H-1 Parvovirus Hijacks Galectin-1 to Enter Cancer Cells

and

Viruses 2022, 14(5), 1018; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14051018 - 11 May 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1583

Abstract

Clinical studies in glioblastoma and pancreatic carcinoma patients strongly support the further development of H-1 protoparvovirus (H-1PV)-based anticancer therapies. The identification of cellular factors involved in the H-1PV life cycle may provide the knowledge to improve H-1PV anticancer potential. Recently, we showed that sialylated laminins mediate H-1PV attachment at the cell membrane. In this study, we revealed that H-1PV also interacts at the cell surface with galectin-1 and uses this glycoprotein to enter cancer cells. Indeed, knockdown/out of LGALS1, the gene encoding galectin-1, strongly decreases the ability of H-1PV to infect and kill cancer cells. This ability is rescued by the re-introduction of LGALS1 into cancer cells. Pre-treatment with lactose, which is able to bind to galectins and modulate their cellular functions, decreased H-1PV infectivity in a dose dependent manner. In silico analysis reveals that LGALS1 is overexpressed in various tumours including glioblastoma and pancreatic carcinoma. We show by immunohistochemistry analysis of 122 glioblastoma biopsies that galectin-1 protein levels vary between tumours, with levels in recurrent glioblastoma higher than those in primary tumours or normal tissues. We also find a direct correlation between LGALS1 transcript levels and H-1PV oncolytic activity in 53 cancer cell lines from different tumour origins. Strikingly, the addition of purified galectin-1 sensitises poorly susceptible GBM cell lines to H-1PV killing activity by rescuing cell entry. Together, these findings demonstrate that galectin-1 is a crucial determinant of the H-1PV life cycle. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Parvovirus Research 2022)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Molecular Test for the Discrimination of “Naked” DNA from Infectious Parvovirus B19 Particles in Serum and Bone Marrow Samples

Arthur Daniel Rocha Alves

Barbara Barbosa Langella

Mariana Magaldi de Souza Lima

Wagner Luís da Costa Nunes Pimentel Coelho

Rita de Cássia Nasser Cubel Garcia

Claudete Aparecida Araújo Cardoso

Renato Sergio Marchevsky

Marcelo Alves Pinto

and

Luciane Almeida Amado

Viruses 2022, 14(4), 843; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14040843 - 18 Apr 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1354

Abstract

Low levels of parvovirus B19 (B19V) DNA can be detected in the circulation and in different tissue of immunocompetent individuals for months or years, which has been linked to inflammatory diseases such as cardiomyopathy, rheumatoid arthritis, hepatitis, and vasculitis. However, the detection of B19V DNA does not necessarily imply that infectious virions are present. This study aimed to evaluate the method based on the Benzonase^® treatment for differentiation between the infectious virions from “naked” DNA in serum and bone marrow (BM) samples to be useful for the B19V routine diagnosis. In addition, we estimated the period of viremia and DNAemia in the sera and bone marrow of nonhuman primates experimentally infected with B19V. Serum samples from ten patients and from four cynomolgus monkeys experimentally infected with B19V followed up for 60 days were used. Most of the human serum samples became negative after pretreatment; however, only decreased viral DNA loads were observed in four patients, indicating that these samples still contained the infectious virus. Reduced B19V DNA levels were observed in animals since 7th dpi. At approximately 45th dpi, B19V DNA levels were below 10⁵ IU/mL after Benzonase^® pretreatment, which was not a consequence of active B19V replication. The test based on Benzonase^® pretreatment enabled the discrimination of “naked DNA” from B19V DNA encapsidated in virions. Therefore, this test can be used to clarify the role of B19V as an etiological agent associated with atypical clinical manifestations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Parvovirus Research 2022)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Open AccessArticle

A Conserved Receptor-Binding Domain in the VP1u of Primate Erythroparvoviruses Determines the Marked Tropism for Erythroid Cells

and

Viruses 2022, 14(2), 420; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14020420 - 17 Feb 2022

Viewed by 1496

Abstract

Parvovirus B19 (B19V) is a human pathogen with a marked tropism for erythroid progenitor cells (EPCs). The N-terminal of the VP1 unique region (VP1u) contains a receptor-binding domain (RBD), which mediates virus uptake through interaction with an as-yet-unknown receptor (VP1uR). Considering the central role of VP1uR in the virus tropism, we sought to investigate its expression profile in multiple cell types. To this end, we established a PP7 bacteriophage-VP1u bioconjugate, sharing the size and VP1u composition of native B19V capsids. The suitability of the PP7-VP1u construct as a specific and sensitive VP1uR expression marker was validated in competition assays with B19V and recombinant VP1u. VP1uR expression was exclusively detected in erythroid cells and cells reprogrammed towards the erythroid lineage. Sequence alignment and in silico protein structure prediction of the N-terminal of VP1u (N-VP1u) from B19V and other primate erythroparvoviruses (simian, rhesus, and pig-tailed) revealed a similar structure characterized by a fold of three or four α-helices. Functional studies with simian parvovirus confirmed the presence of a conserved RBD in the N-VP1u, mediating virus internalization into human erythroid cells. In summary, this study confirms the exclusive association of VP1uR expression with cells of the erythroid lineage. The presence of an analogous RBD in the VP1u from non-human primate erythroparvoviruses emphasizes their parallel evolutionary trait and zoonotic potential. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Parvovirus Research 2022)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Open AccessArticle

A Functional Minigenome of Parvovirus B19

and

Viruses 2022, 14(1), 84; https://doi.org/10.3390/v14010084 - 04 Jan 2022

Viewed by 1257

Abstract

Parvovirus B19 (B19V) is a human pathogenic virus of clinical relevance, characterized by a selective tropism for erythroid progenitor cells in bone marrow. Relevant information on viral characteristics and lifecycle can be obtained from experiments involving engineered genetic systems in appropriate in vitro cellular models. Previously, a B19V genome of defined consensus sequence was designed, synthesized and cloned in a complete and functional form, able to replicate and produce infectious viral particles in a producer/amplifier cell system. Based on such a system, we have now designed and produced a derived B19V minigenome, reduced to a replicon unit. The genome terminal regions were maintained in a form able to sustain viral replication, while the internal region was clipped to include only the left-side genetic set, containing the coding sequence for the functional NS1 protein. Following transfection in UT7/EpoS1 cells, this minigenome still proved competent for replication, transcription and production of NS1 protein. Further, the B19V minigenome was able to complement B19-derived, NS1-defective genomes, restoring their ability to express viral capsid proteins. The B19V genome was thus engineered to yield a two-component system, with complementing functions, providing a valuable tool for studying viral expression and genetics, suitable to further engineering for purposes of translational research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Parvovirus Research 2022)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Special Issue "Advances in Parvovirus Research 2022"

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Related Special Issues

Published Papers (11 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI