Cross-neutralizing Anti-hemagglutinin Antibodies Isolated from Patients Infected with Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus

Objective To recover broad-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies(Bn Abs)from avian influenza A(H5N1)virus infection cases and investigate their genetic and functional features.Methods We screened the Abs repertoires of expanded B cells circulating in the peripheral blood of H5N1 patients.The genetic basis,biological functions,and epitopes of the obtained Bn Abs were assessed and modeled.Results Two Bn Abs,2-12 D5,and 3-37 G7.1,were respectively obtained from two human H5N1 cases on days 12 and 21 after disease onset.Both Abs demonstrated cross-neutralizing and Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity(ADCC)activity.Albeit derived from distinct Ab lineages,i.e.,V^H1-69-D2-15-JH^4(2-12D5)and V^H1-2-D3-9-JH^5(3-32 G7.1),the Bn Abs were directed toward CR6261-like epitopes in the HA stem,and HA2 I45 in the hydrophobic pocket was the critical residue for their binding.Signature motifs for binding with the HA stem,namely,IFY in VH1-69-encoded Abs and LXYFXW in D3-9-encoded Abs,were also observed in 2-12D5 and 3-32 G7.1,respectively.Conclusions Cross-reactive B cells of different germline origins could be activated and re-circulated by avian influenza virus.The HA stem epitopes targeted by the Bn Abs,and the two Ab-encoding genes usage implied the VH1-69 and D3-9 are the ideal candidates triggered by influenza virus for vaccine development.

Interferon-induced Transmembrane Protein 3 Prevents Acute Influenza Pathogenesis in Mice

Objective Interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3(IFITM3)is an important member of the IFITM family.However,the molecular mechanisms underlying its antiviral action have not been completely elucidated.Recent studies on IFITM3,particularly those focused on innate antiviral defense mechanisms,have shown that IFITM3 affects the body’s adaptive immune response.The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of IFITM3 proteins to immune control of influenza infection in vivo.Methods We performed proteomics,flow cytometry,and immunohistochemistry analysis and used bioinformatics tools to systematically compare and analyze the differences in natural killer(NK)cell numbers,their activation,and their immune function in the lungs of Ifitm3-/-and wild-type mice.Results Ifitm3-/-mice developed more severe inflammation and apoptotic responses compared to wild-type mice.Moreover,the NK cell activation was higher in the lungs of Ifitm3-/-mice during acute influenza infection.Conclusions Based on our results,we speculate that the NK cells are more readily activated in the absence of IFITM3,increasing mortality in Ifitm3-/-mice.

A Novel Reassortant H2N3 Influenza Virus Isolated from China

Objective To analyze the genetic composition of a novel H2N3 virus isolate identified from a duck cage swab in a live poultry market （LPM） in 2009 in Guangdong province of China. Methods PCR-positive specimens were inoculated into embryonated chicken eggs and subtyped by conventional RT-PCR. All segments of the virus A/environment/Guangdong/2/2009 were sequenced, and phylogenetic trees were constructed and analyzed. Results The genes of this virus belong to Eurasian-lineage avian viruses. The virus is a reassortant with the HA gene from an H2N2 virus and the NA gene from an H5N3 virus. The PB1, PB2, and NP genes were from an H4N6 virus, the PA was from an H3N8 virus, the M gene was from an H1N3 virus, and the NS gene was from an H10N6 virus. Conclusion market. Its A novel avian-origin reassortant H2N3 influenza virus was detected in a live poultry potential impacts and evolution should be closely monitored.

A Novel Reassortant H3N8 Influenza Virus Isolated from Drinking Water for Duck in a Domestic Duck Farm in Poyang Lake Area

Objective To conduct a full genome sequence analysis for genetic characterization of an H3N8 influenza virus isolated from drinking water of a domestic duck farm in Poyang Lake area in 2011. Methods The virus was cultivated by specific pathogen free （SPF） chicken embryo eggs and was subtyped into hemagglutinin （HA） and neuraminidase （NA） by real-time PCR method. Eight gene segments were sequenced and phylogenetic analysis was conducted. Results The NA gene of this virus belongs to North American lineage; other seven genes belong to Eurasian lineage. Compared with the viruses containing NA gene, the PB2 and PB2 gene came from different clades. And this indicates that the virus was a novel reassortant genotype. The HA receptor binding preference was avian-like and the cleavage site sequence showed a low pathogenic feature. There was no drug resistance mutation of M2 protein. The mutations of Asn30Asp, and Thr225Ala of the M1 protein implied the potential of pathogenicity increase in mice. Conclusion The finding of novel genotype of H3N8 virus in drinking water in this duck farm near Poyang Lake highlighted the importance of strengthening the surveillance of avian influenza in this region, which could contribute to pinpointing the influenza ecological relations among avian, swine, and human.

Phylogenetic and Molecular Analysis of an H7N7 Avian Influenza Virus Isolated in East Dongting Lake in 2012

Objective In March 2012, an H7N7 subtype avian influenza virus （AIV） named A/wild goose/Dongting/PC0360/2022 （H7N7） （DT/PC0360） was recovered from a wild goose in East Dongting Lake. We performed whole-genome sequencing of the isolate, and analyzed the phylogenetic and molecular characterization. Methods RNA was extracted from environment samples （including fecal samples from wild bird or domestic ducks, and water samples） for detecting the presence of Influenza A Virus targeting Matrix gene, using realtime RT-PCR assay. The positive samples were performed virus isolation with embryonated eggs. The subtype of the isolates were identified by RT-PCR assay with the HI-HI6 and N1-N9 primer set. The whole-genome sequencing of isolates were performed. Phylogenetic and molecular characterizations of the eight genes of the isolates were analyzed. Results Our results suggested that all the eight gene segments of DT/PC0360 belonged to the Eurasian gene pool, and the HA gene were belonged to distinct sublineage with H7N9 AIV which caused outbreaks in China's Mainland in 2013. The hemagglutinin cleavage site of HA of DT/PC0360 showed characterization of low pathogenic avian influenza virus. Conclusion Strengthening the surveillance of AlVs of wild waterfowl and poultry in this region is vita for our knowledge of the ecology and mechanism of transmission to prevent an influenza pandemic.

H5N1 Avian Influenza Pre-pandemic Vaccine Strains in China

Objective To prepare the 4 candidate vaccine strains of H5N1 avian influenza virus isolated in China Methods Recombinant viruses were rescued using reverse genetics. Neuraminidase （NA） and hemagglutinin （HA） segments of the A/Xinjiang/1/2006, A/Guangxi/1/2009, A/Hubei/1/2010, and A/Guangdong/1/2011 viruses were amplified by RT-PCR. Multibasic amino acid cleavage site of HA was removed and ligated into the pCIpoll vector for virus rescue. The recombinant viruses were evaluated by trypsin dependent assays. Their embnjonate survival and antigenicity were compared with those of the respective wild-type viruses. Results The 4 recombinant viruses showed similar antigenicity compared with wild-type viruses, chicken embryo survival and trypsin-dependent characteristics. Conclusion The 4 recombinant viruses rescued using reverse genetics meet the criteria for classification of low pathogenic avian influenza strains, thus supporting the use of them for the development of seeds and production of pre-pandemic vaccines.

Evaluation of A Single-reaction Method for Whole Genome Sequencing of Influenza A Virus using Next Generation Sequencing

Objective To evaluate a single-reaction genome amplification method, the multisegment reverse transcription-PCR （M-RTPCR）, for its sensitivity to full genome sequencing of influenza A virus, and the ability to differentiate mix-subtype virus, using the next generation sequencing （NGS） platform. Methods Virus genome copy was quantified and seria（iy diluted to different titers, followed by amplification with the M-RTPCR method and sequencing on the NGS platform. Furthermore, we manually mixed two subtype viruses to different titer rate and amplified the mixed virus with the M-RTPCR protocol, followed by whole genome sequencing on the NGS platform. We also used clinical samples to test the method performance. Results The M-RTPCR method obtained complete genome of testing virus at 125 copies/reaction and determined the virus subtype at titer of 25 copies/reaction. Moreover, the two subtypes in the mixed virus could be discriminated, even though these two virus copies differed by 200-fold using this amplification protocol. The sensitivity of this protocol we detected using virus RNA was also confirmed with clinical samples containing Iow-titer virus. Conclusion The M-RTPCR is a robust and sensitive amplification method for whole genome sequencing of influenza A virus using NGS platform.