Genetic and biological properties of H9N2 avian influenza viruses isolated in central China from2020 to 2022

The H9N2 subtype of avian influenza virus(AIV)is widely prevalent in poultry and wild birds globally,and has become the predominant subtype circulating in poultry in China.The H9N2 AIV can directly or indirectly(by serving as a"donor virus")infect humans,posing a significant threat to public health.Currently,there is a lack of in-depth research on the prevalence of H9N2 viruses in Shanxi Province,central China.In this study,we isolated 14 H9N2 AIVs from October 2020 to April 2022 in Shanxi Province,and genetic analysis revealed that these viruses belonged to 7 different genotypes.Our study on animals revealed that the H9N2 strains we identified displayed high transmission efficiency among chicken populations,and exhibited diverse replication abilities within these birds.These viruses could replicate efficiently in the lungs of mice,with one strain also demonstrating the capacity to reproduce in organs like the brain and kidneys.At the cellular level,the replication ability of different H9N2 strains was evaluated using plaque formation assays and multi-step growth curve assays,revealing significant differences in the replication and proliferation efficiency of the various H9N2 viruses at the cellular level.The antigenicity analysis suggested that these isolates could be classified into 2 separate antigenic clusters.Our research provides crucial data to help understand the prevalence and biological characteristics of H9N2 AIVs in central China.It also highlights the necessity of enhancing the surveillance of H9N2 AIVs.

Antibodies elicited by Newcastle disease virus-vectored H7N9 avian influenza vaccine are functional in activating the complement system

H7N9 subtype avian influenza virus poses a great challenge for poultry industry.Newcastle disease virus(NDV)-vectored H7N9 avian influenza vaccines(NDV_(vec)H7N9)are effective in disease control because they are protective and allow mass administration.Of note,these vaccines elicit undetectable H7N9-specific hemagglutination-inhibition(HI)but high IgG antibodies in chickens.However,the molecular basis and protective mechanism underlying this particular antibody immunity remain unclear.Herein,immunization with an NDV_(vec)H7N9 induced low anti-H7N9 HI and virus neutralization titers but high levels of hemagglutinin(HA)-binding IgG antibodies in chickens.Three residues(S150,G151 and S152)in HA of H7N9 virus were identified as the dominant epitopes recognized by the NDV_(vec)H7N9 immune serum.Passively transferred NDV_(vec)H7N9 immune serum conferred complete protection against H7N9 virus infection in chickens.The NDV_(vec)H7N9 immune serum can mediate a potent lysis of HA-expressing and H7N9 virus-infected cells and significantly suppress H7N9 virus infectivity.These activities of the serum were significantly impaired after heat-inactivation or treatment with complement inhibitor,suggesting the engagement of the complement system.Moreover,mutations in the 150-SGS-152 sites in HA resulted in significant reductions in cell lysis and virus neutralization mediated by the NDV_(vec)H7N9 immune serum,indicating the requirement of antibody-antigen binding for complement activity.Therefore,antibodies induced by the NDV_(vec)H7N9 can activate antibody-dependent complement-mediated lysis of H7N9 virus-infected cells and complement-mediated neutralization of H7N9 virus.Our findings unveiled a novel role of the complement in protection conferred by the NDV_(vec)H7N9,highlighting a potential benefit of engaging the complement system in H7N9 vaccine design.

H3N2亚型犬流感病毒HA1基因的优化表达与间接ELISA检测方法的建立

为开展H3N2亚型犬流感的血清流行病学调查,本研究拟原核表达犬流感病毒(CIV)血凝素1(HA1)基因,建立一种灵敏、准确、稳定的ELISA检测方法。对地方毒株的HA1基因进行氨基酸序列优化,采用化学合成法合成目的基因,插入pET30a中并转化至大肠杆菌表达,对蛋白进行纯化、鉴定,建立CIV间接ELISA方法。结果显示:优化后的HA1基因序列密码子对原核表达系统的CAI指数升至0.88,无复杂二级结构,蛋白可获得高效表达;原核表达后蛋白主要存在于包涵体中,经纯化、复性后的蛋白具备作为诊断抗原的应用价值;建立的间接ELISA方法检测国内采集的1690份犬血清,显示H3N2亚型CIV整体阳性率为9.23%,与商品化试剂盒符合率为97.9%。提示:建立的间接ELISA方法可靠,具备良好的应用前景。

Sequence Analysis of HA Genes from Three H9N2 Subtype Avian Influenza Viruses

[ Objective] The study aimed to understand the genetic characters of H9N2 subtype avian influenza viruses isolated in Belling area. [ Method] HA genes of three H9N2 subtype avian influenza viruses A/Chicken/Beijing/xu/00, A/Chicken/Beijing/bei/00 and A/Chicken/Beijing/ liu/00 were amplified by RT-PCR and then sequenced. [ Result] The results of phylogenetic analysis showed that A/Chicken/Beijing/xu/00, A/ Chicken/Beijing/bei/00 and A/Chicken/Beijing/liu/00 shared the nucleotide homologies of 84.8% （ Dk/HK/Y439/97 ） -98.0% （ Ck/GX17/00 ）, 85.1% （Dk/HK/Y439/97） - 99.1% （ Ck/GXl 7/00）, 90.7% （ Ck/BJ/3/01 ） - 99.1% （Ck/GX17/00） with the isolates from Hongkong and other are- as of Chinese Mainland respectively. At the same time, the analysis of amino acid indicated that the three isolates belonged to low pathogenic H9N2 isolates of avian origin. The 226^th amino acid of them were L （ Leu）, suggesting their high binding affinity to human cells. There were seven glyco- sylation sites in HA protein, five from HA1 and two from HA2. [ Cenclusien] By analysis at molecular level, it could be concluded that A/Chicken/ Beijing/xu/00, A/Chicken/Beijing/bei/00 and A/Chicken/Beijing/liu/00 were low pathogenic H9N2 isolates of avian origin.

2018—2022年无锡市H3N2流感病毒全基因组特征分析

目的了解无锡市近年H3N2流感病毒的进化和变异特征。方法采用实时荧光定量RT-PCR方法,对流感样病例标本进行检测和分型,将H3N2流感病毒核酸阳性标本经细胞培养后,选取红细胞凝集试验(HA)≥1∶8的毒株扩增全基因组,构建文库,采用MiSeq测序仪上机测序,以NC_007366.1为参考株,使用CLC Genomics Workbench(Version 23)软件分析,采用MEGA 7.0软件构建系统进化树,NetNGlyc 1.0 Server软件预测N-糖基化位点。结果2018—2022年共监测流感样鼻咽拭子标本10440份,流感病毒核酸阳性率9.60%,H3N2型占28.44%(285株)。对19株H3N2型毒株进行全基因组测序分析,以HA基因核苷酸、氨基酸同源性最低,分别为97.43%~100.00%、96.37%~100.00%;M基因核苷酸、氨基酸同源性最高,分别为98.23%~100.00%、100.00%。不同基因核苷酸、氨基酸变异率差异均有统计学意义(χ^(2)=41.26、86.12,P值均<0.05),核苷酸变异率3.05%(M)~7.05%(HA),氨基酸变异率1.54%(PB2)~7.45%(NA)。基因进化距离以NS最小(0.000~0.028)、HA最大(0.000~0.065)。H3N2流感流行株2018流感监测年(1—3月)属3C.2a进化分支,2018—2020流感监测年属3C.2a1b.2进化分支,2022流感监测年(4—12月)属3C.2a1b.2a.1a.1进化分支。19株H3N2型毒株8个基因片段均有突变位点,以HA(51个)和NA基因(40个)较多,M基因较少(6个);5年均有特有突变位点,HA基因存在9~12个潜在N-糖基化位点,NA基因均为6个潜在N-糖基化位点。结论无锡地区H3N2流行株虽在不断进化,与疫苗株匹配性仍较好。应进一步加强监测,及时掌握流感病毒流行趋势,以制定有效的防控策略。

2022至2023年吉林省甲型H3N2流感病毒的分子特征分析

目的通过对2022至2023年甲型H3N2流感病毒HA和NA基因特征分析,为吉林省H3N2流感病毒防控提供科学依据。方法随机选取2022至2023年吉林省23株H3N2流感病毒,对HA和NA基因进行序列同源性、基因进化特征、基因位点氨基酸变异分析。结果HA、NA基因核苷酸序列种系进化树显示:23株甲型H3N2流感毒株全部属于3C.2a分支,其中4株为3C.2a1b.2a.1a分支,与2021至2022年推荐的疫苗株A/Cambodia/e0826360/2020在一个分支上;19株为3C.2a1b.2a.2a分支,与2022至2023年推荐的疫苗株A/Darwin/6/2021在一个分支上。与WHO推荐的2022至2023年北半球疫苗株A/Darwin/6/2021、A/Darwin/9/2021相比,4株甲型H3N2流感病毒HA蛋白氨基酸序列均发生了9个氨基酸位点变异,分别为I48T、S156H、N159Y、I160T、Q164L、K171N、D186S、N190D、S198P;HA蛋白抗原决定簇的氨基酸5处发生替换,分别为S156H、N159Y、I160T、D186S、N190D。19株甲型H3N2流感病毒HA基因蛋白氨基酸序列均发生了7个氨基酸位点变异,分别为G/D53N、N96S、N122D、I140K、I192F、I223V、N378S,除A/吉林船营/1615/2023(H3)外,其他18株均发生了E50K氨基酸位点变异;HA蛋白抗原决定簇的氨基酸4处发生替换,A区(N122D)B区(I192F)C区(E50K、G/D53N)。结论与WHO推荐的2022至2023年北半球疫苗株A/Darwin/6/2021、A/Darwin/9/2021相比,19株甲型H3N2流感病毒在HA蛋白抗原决定簇的氨基酸4处发生替换,分别是N122D、I192F、E50K、G/D53N,HA发生了抗原漂移。23株H3N2流感病毒NA基因存在12个氨基酸位点变异,但在NA酶活性催化位点和辅助位点均未发生变异,但有3株H3N2流感病毒存在S331G变异,与耐药变异S331R发生在同一位点上,应引起重视。

PA-X基因的长度变化对H3N2犬流感病毒复制能力和致病性的影响

H3N2犬流感病毒(canine influenza virus,CIV)已在中国多地的犬群中流行,是禽流感跨宿主感染并形成新分支的近期案例。研究表明,PA-X基因与甲型流感病毒适应新宿主的能力相关,且其长度能够影响甲型流感病毒的复制及致病能力。为了解PA-X基因的长度变化对H3N2 CIV复制能力及致病力的影响,本研究利用H3N2 CIV的8质粒操作系统,拯救了三株重组H3N2 CIV毒株:PA-X基因表达大小为232个氨基酸多肽的亲本病毒CIV_PA-X_232;对PA编码区第191、192位氨基酸的密码子进行改造,PA-X基因不表达蛋白的重组病毒CIV_PA-X_Knock;对PA+1编码区第232位氨基酸进行突变,PA-X基因表达大小为252个氨基酸多肽的重组病毒CIV_PA-X_252。通过比较3株重组病毒的聚合酶活性,在MDCK细胞中的复制效率及对小鼠致病性的差异,来评价表达不同长度的PA-X基因对H3N2 CIV的影响。结果显示,CIV_PA-X_252和CIV_PA-X_Knock的聚合酶活性显著(P<0.05)高于CIV_PA-X_232,且CIV_PA-X_252的聚合酶活性显著(P<0.05)高于CIV_PA-X_Knock;CIV_PA-X_252和CIV_PA-X_Knock在MDCK细胞中的复制能力显著(P<0.05)强于CIV_PA-X_232;小鼠攻毒试验结果显示,3株重组病毒对小鼠的体重变化无明显影响,且对小鼠无致死性;仅能在感染后第1天的小鼠肺中检测出3株重组病毒的TCID50,且病毒滴度无显著差异;3株重组病毒均能对小鼠肺造成病理损伤,其中,CIV_PA-X_252对小鼠的致病性最强,CIV_PA-X_232次之,CIV_PA-X_Knock对小鼠的致病性最弱。上述结果表明,PA-X基因的延长能够提高H3N2 CIV在MDCK细胞中复制能力和对小鼠肺造成病理损伤的能力,但该变化可能对H3N2 CIV在小鼠肺内的复制能力没有影响。本试验初步探究了PA-X基因的长度变化对H3N2 CIV的影响,为后续H3N2 CIV致病机制的研究提供了初步的参考。

H5N1 influenza viruses： outbreaks and biological properties

All known subtypes of influenza A viruses are maintained in wild waterfowl, the natural reservoir of these viruses. Influenza A viruses are isolated from a variety of animal species with varying morbidity and mortality rates. More importantly, influenza A viruses cause respiratory disease in humans with potentially fatal outcome. Local or global outbreaks in humans are typically characterized by excess hospitalizations and deaths. In 1997, highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses of the H5N1 subtype emerged in Hong Kong that transmitted to humans, resulting in the first documented cases of human death by avian influenza virus infection. A new outbreak started in July 2003 in poultry in Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand, and highly pathogenic avian H5N1 influenza viruses have since spread throughout Asia and into Europe and Africa. These viruses continue to infect humans with a high mortality rate and cause worldwide concern of a looming pandemic. Moreover, H5N1 virus outbreaks have had devastating effects on the poultry industries throughout Asia. Since H5N1 virus outbreaks appear to originate from Southern China, we here examine H5N1 influenza viruses in China, with an emphasis on their biological properties.

7例儿童甲型H3N2流感病毒相关的致命性急性坏死性脑病

目的探讨H3N2流感病毒相关急性坏死性脑病的疾病特点,总结诊治经验。方法整理江西省儿童医院2022年6月1日至2022年6月30日收治的7例儿童急性坏死性脑病患儿的病例资料,分析此次流行季节甲型H3N2流感病毒相关急性坏死性脑病的临床表现、辅助检查、治疗方案及预后。结果7例患儿均有高热乃至超高热,其中4例患儿发热48 h内出现抽搐、意识障碍,随后迅速恶化出现脑干反射消失;3例患儿入院时即有DIC、休克、出血表现;其中5例患儿入院时流感快速抗原检测均阴性,行核酸检测甲型流感病毒呈阳性,7例患儿省疾控预防中心(CDC)病原学分型为H3N2,2例发病早期头颅CT检查为正常;7例患儿1例抢救无效死亡,4例因脑死亡放弃治疗后死亡,2例痊愈出院,死亡率71.4%。结论本文夏季流行的流感病毒为H3N2,快速抗原检测可为阴性,接种流感疫苗不能完全避免感染;甲流H3N2流感病毒致坏死性脑病病情进展迅速,易出现中枢性循环衰竭、出血、休克、DIC,救治困难,死亡率高。

Genetic Analysis and Rescue of a Triple-reassortant H3N2 Influenza A Virus Isolated From Swine in Eastern China

One influenza H3N2 virus, A/swine/Shandong/3/2005 (Sw/SD/3/2005), was isolated from pigs with respiratory disease on a farm in eastern China. Genetic analysis revealed that Sw/SD/3/2005 was a triple-reassortant virus with a PB2 gene from human-like H1N1, NS from classical swine H1N1, and the remaining genes from human-like H3N2 virus. These findings further support the concept that swine can serve as reservoir or mixing vessels of influenza virus strains and maintain genetic and antigenic stability of viruses. Furthermore, we have successfully established a reverse genetics system based on eight plasmids and rescued Sw/SD/3/2005 through cell transfection. HI tests and RT-PCR confirmed that the rescued virus maintained the biological properties of the wild type Sw/SD/3/2005. The successful establishment of the reverse genetics system of Sw/SD/3/2005 will enable us to conduct extensive studies of the molecular evolution of H3N2 influenza viruses in swine.

Molecular Characterization of Avian-like H1N1 Swine Influenza A Viruses Isolated in Eastern China, 2011

Currently, three predominant subtypes of influenza virus are prevalent in pig populations worldwide： H1N1, H3N2, and H1N2. European avian-Hke H1N1 viruses, which were initially detected in European pig populations in 1979, have been circulating in pigs in eastern China since 2007. In this study, six influenza A viruses were isolated from 60 swine lung samples collected from January to April 2011 in eastern China. Based on whole genome sequencing, molecular characteristics of two isolates were determined. Phylogenetic analysis showed the eight genes of the two isolates were closely related to those of the avian-like H1N1 viruses circulating in pig populations, especially similar to those found in China. Four potential glycosylation sites were observed at positions 13, 26, 198, 277 in the HA1 proteins of the two isolates. Due to the presence of a stop codon at codon 12, the isolates contained truncated PB1-F2 proteins. In this study, the isolates contained 591Q, 627E and 701N in the polymerase subunit PB2, which had been shown to be determinants of virulence and host adaptation. The isolates also had a D rather than E at position 92 of the NS1, a marker of mammalian adaptation. Both isolates contained the GPKV motif at the PDZ ligand domain of the 3＇ end of the NS1, a characteristic marker of the European avian-like swine viruses since about 1999, which is distinct from those of avian, human and classical swine viruses. The M2 proteins of the isolates have the mutation （S31N）, a characteristic marker of the European avian-like swine viruses since about 1987, which may confer resistance to amantadine and rimantadine antivirals. Our findings further emphasize the importance of surveillance on the genetic diversity of influenza A viruses in pigs, and raise more concerns about the occurrence of cross-species transmission events.

Sequence and phylogenetic analysis of hemagglutinin genes of H9N2 influenza viruses isolated from chicken in China from 2013 to 2015

H9N2 avian influenza virus（AIV） infection is a major problem in poultry industry worldwide. In this study, molecular characterizations and phylogenetic relationships of hemagglutinin（HA） gene sequences of H9N2 AIV of 5 Chinese isolates in 2014 recently available in Gen Bank, 3 widely used vaccine strains, and 52 novel isolates in China from 2013 to 2015 were analyzed. The homology analysis showed that the nucleotide sequences of HA gene of these recent Chinese H9N2 AIV isolates shared homologies from 94.1 to 99.9%. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all isolates belonged to AIV lineage h9.4.2.5. Fifty-six out of the 57 recent Chinese H9N2 AIV isolates had the motifs PSRSSR↓GLF at the cleavage sites within the HA protein, while one isolate PWH01 harbored LSRSSR↓GLF. Remarkably, all of the recent Chinese H9N2 AIV strains had the Q216 L substitution in the receptor binding site, which indicated that they had potential to infect humans. Most of recent Chinese H9N2 AIV isolates lost the potential N-linked glycosylation site at residues 200–202 compared with vaccine strains. This present study demonstrated that AIV lineage h9.4.2.5 was more predominant in China than other lineages as it harbored all the H9N2 AIV isolated between 2013 and 2015. Also we showed the importance of continuous surveillance of emerging H9N2 AIV in China and update of vaccine formulation accordingly in order to prevent and control H9N2 AIV.

Clinical Predictors for Diagnosing Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 and Seasonal Influenza (H3N2) in Fever Clinics in Beijing,China

Objective Symptomatic predictors of influenza could assess risks and improve decisions about isolation and outpatient treatment. To develop such predictors, we undertook a prospective analysis of pandemic （HIN1） 2009 and seasonal influenza （H3N2） in patients attending fever clinics. Methods From 1 May 2009 to 1 January 2010, all adult patients admitted to fever clinics for suspected influenza, confirmed by real time RT-PCR, were enrolled. Predictors of influenza virus infection were selected with logistic regression models. Measures of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios （LRs） were calculated to identify the best predictors. Results The clinical features and routine blood test results of influenza （H1N1） 2009 and seasonal influenza were similar. The positive and negative LRs of current US CDC influenza-like illness （ILl） criteria were modest in predicting influenza infection. Our modified clinic predictors improved the ability of the positive and negative LRs to recognize pandemic （HIN1） 2009 and seasonal influenza. The revised criteria are： fever ~ 38 ~C accompanied by at least one of the following--cough, arthralgia or relative iymphopenia. Conclusion Patients with symptoms and signs that meet the new criteria are likely to have influenza and timely antiviral therapy may be appropriate. In addition, physicians should ascertain if influenza is circulating within the community or if there is a contact history of influenza and combine this information with the newly developed criteria to clinically diagnose influenza.

Gene Expression Profiles Comparison between 2009 Pandemic and Seasonal H1N1 Influenza Viruses in A549 Cells

Objective To perform gene expression profiles comparison so that to identify and understand the potential differences in pathogenesis between the pandemic and seasonal A （H1N1） influenza viruses. Methods A549 cells were infected with A/California/07/09 （H1N1） and A/GuangdongBaoan/51/08 （H1N1） respectively at the same MOI of 2 and collected at 2, 4, 8, and 24 h post infection （p.i.）. Gene expression profiles of A549 cells were obtained using the 22 K Human Genome Oligo Array, and differentially expressed genes were analyzed at selected time points. Results Microarrays results indicated that both of the viruses suppressed host immune response related pathways including cytokine production while pandemic H1N1 virus displayed weaker suppression of host immune response than seasonal H1N1 virus. Observation on similar anti-apoptotic events such as activation of apoptosis inhibitor and down-regulation of key genes of apoptosis pathways in both infections showed that activities of promoting apoptosis were different in later stage of infection. Conclusion The immuno-suppression and anti-apoptosis events of pandemic H1N1 virus were similar to those seen by seasonal H1N1 virus. The pandemic H1N1 virus had an ability to inhibit biological pathways associated with cytokine responses, NK activation and macrophage recognition .

Distribution of Avian Influenza A Viruses in Poultry-Related Environment and Its Association with Human Infection in Henan, 2016 to 2017

Objective To survey avian influenza A viruses(AIVs) in the environment and explore the reasons for the surge in human H7 N9 cases.Methods A total of 1,045 samples were collected from routine surveillance on poultry-related environments and 307 samples from human H7 N9 cases-exposed environments in Henan from 2016 to2017. The nucleic acids of influenza A(Flu A), H5, H7, and H9 subtypes were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction.Results A total of 27 H7 N9 cases were confirmed in Henan from 2016 to 2017, 24 had a history of live poultry exposure, and 15 had H7 N9 virus detected in the related live poultry markets(LPMs). About 96%(264/275) Flu A positive-environmental samples were from LPMs. H9 was the main AIV subtype(10.05%) from routine surveillance sites with only 1 H7-positive sample, whereas 21.17% samples were H7-positive in H7 N9 cases-exposed environments. Samples from H7 N9 cases-exposed LPMs(47.56%)had much higher AIVs positive rates than those from routine surveillance sites(12.34%). The H7+H9 combination of mixed infection was 78.18%(43/55) of H7-positive samples and 41.34%(43/104) of H9-positive samples.Conclusion The contamination status of AIVs in poultry-related environments is closely associated with the incidence of human infection caused by AIVs. Therefore, systematic surveillance of AIVs in LPMs in China is essential for the detection of novel reassortant viruses and their potential for interspecies transmission.

Development of a real-time RT-PCR method for the detection of newly emerged highly pathogenic H7N9 influenza viruses

In 2013, a human influenza outbreak caused by a novel H7N9 virus occurred in China. Recently, the H7N9 virus acquired multiple basic amino acids at its hemagglutinin（HA） cleavage site, leading to the emergence of a highly pathogenic virus. The development of an effective diagnostic method is imperative for the prevention and control of highly pathogenic H7N9 influenza. Here, we designed and synthesized three pairs of primers based on the nucleotide sequence at the HA cleavage site of the newly emerged highly pathogenic H7N9 influenza virus. One of the primer pairs and the corresponding probe displayed a high level of amplification efficiency on which a real-time RT-PCR method was established. Amplification using this method resulted in a fluorescent signal for only the highly pathogenic H7N9 virus, and not for any of the H1–H15 subtype reference strains, thus demonstrating high specificity. The method detected as low as 39.1 copies of HA-positive plasmid and exhibited similar sensitivity to the virus isolation method using embryonated chicken eggs. Importantly, the real-time RT-PCR method exhibited 100% consistency with the virus isolation method in the diagnosis of field samples. Collectively, our data demonstrate that this real-time RT-PCR assay is a rapid, sensitive and specific method, and the application will greatly aid the surveillance, prevention, and control of highly pathogenic H7N9 influenza viruses.

Selection Pressure on Haemagglutinin Genes of H9N2 Influenza Viruses from Different Hosts

Positive selection and differential selective pressure analyses were carried out to study Haemagglutinin (HA) genes of H9N2 influenza viruses from different hosts in this paper. Results showed that, although most positions in HAs were under neutral or purifying evolution, a few positions located in the antigenic regions and receptor binding sites were subject to positive selection and some of them were even positively selected at the population level. In addition, there were always some positions differentially selected for viruses from different hosts. Both selection pressure working on HA codons and positions differentially selected might account for the extension of the host range and adaptations to different hosts of H9N2 influenza viruses.

Development and Assessment of Two Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza(HPAI) H5N6 Candidate Vaccine Viruses for Pandemic Preparedness

Objective In China, 24 cases of human infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza(HPAI) H5 N6 virus have been confirmed since the first confirmed case in 2014. Therefore, we developed and assessed two H5 N6 candidate vaccine viruses(CVVs).Methods In accordance with the World Health Organization(WHO) recommendations, we constructed two reassortant viruses using reverse genetics(RG) technology to match the two different epidemic H5 N6 viruses. We performed complete genome sequencing to determine the genetic stability. We assessed the growth ability of the studied viruses in MDCK cells and conducted a hemagglutination inhibition assay to analyze their antigenicity. Pathogenicity attenuation was also evaluated in vitro and in vivo.Results The results showed that no mutations occurred in hemagglutinin or neuraminidase, and both CVVs retained their original antigenicity. The replication capacity of the two CVVs reached a level similar to that of A/Puerto Rico/8/34 in MDCK cells. The two CVVs showed low pathogenicity in vitro and in vivo, which are in line with the WHO requirements for CVVs.Conclusion We obtained two genetically stable CVVs of HPAI H5N6 with high growth characteristics,which may aid in our preparedness for a potential H5N6 pandemic.

南通市2022—2023年流感H3N2亚型分子进化特征

目的了解近年南通市流感暴发疫情中H3N2流感病毒的分子进化特征。方法采集2022—2023流感监测年南通市流感暴发疫情中患者鼻咽拭子样品,运用RT-qPCR进行核酸检测,将Ct值<30的样品进行病毒分离,分离的H3N2病毒株构建文库后进行高通量测序分析,对HA、NA基因进行核苷酸和氨基酸相似度分析并构建系统进化树。结果共报告23起流感暴发疫情,均为甲型流感病毒,H3N2亚型12起(占52.17%)和H1N1型11起(占47.83%)。测序10株H3N2型毒株,HA、NA基因的核苷酸同源性为96.59%~100.00%、98.58%~100.00%,氨基酸同源性为96.13%~100.00%、96.40%~100.00%;与WHO推荐的北半球疫苗株A/Darwin/9/2021相比,HA、NA基因的核苷酸同源性为96.62%~97.38%、96.87%~97.36%,氨基酸同源性为96.86%~97.21%、94.58%~96.67%。HA基因发生的重要氨基酸突变有I156K,K187N,I208F,G241D;RBS位点均未发生突变;NA基因发生的重要突变有S331G,S150R/H;神经氨酸酶抑制剂(NAI)作用位点保守。系统发育分析显示,10株H3N2型分成2a.3和3C.2a1b.2b两个进化分支,与疫苗株的匹配性较好。结论H3N2流感病毒持续进化,应加强监测,掌握流感病毒的基因进化特征,为精准防控提供科学依据。

Transcriptomic analyses reveal new genes and networks response to H5N1 influenza viruses in duck(Anas platyrhynchos)

H5N1 influenza represents one of the great challenges to public health.Some H5N1 viruses(i.e.,A/goose/Hubei/65/05,GS/65) are weakly pathogenic,while the others(i.e.,A/duck/Hubei/49/05,DK/49) are highly pathogenic to their natural hosts.Here,we performed brain and spleen transcriptomic analyses of control ducks and ones infected by the DK/49 or the GS/65 H5N1 virus.We demonstrated that,compared to the GS/65 virus,the DK/49 virus infection changed more numerous immune genes’ expression and caused continuous increasing of immune pathways(i.e.,RIG-I and MDA5) in ducks.We found that both H5N1 virus strains might escape or subvert host immune response through affecting alternative translation of immune genes,while the DK/49 virus seemed to induce alternative translation of more immune genes than the GS/65 virus.We also identified five co-expressional modules associated with H5N1 virus replication through the weight correlation network analysis(WGCNA).Moreover,we first demonstrated that the duck BCL2 L15 and DCSTAMP in one of these five modules inhibited both the highly pathogenic and weakly pathogenic H5N1 virus replication efficiently.These analyses,in combination with our comprehensive transcriptomic data,provided global view of the molecular architecture for the interaction between host and H5N1 viruses.