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.

Complete Genome Sequencing and Genetic Variation Analysis of Two H9N2 Subtype Avian Influenza Virus Strains

[Objective] The study aimed to investigate the genetic variation characters of entire sequences between two H9N2 subtype avian influenza virus strains and other reference strains.[Method] The entire sequences of 8 genes were obtained by using RT-PCR,and these sequences were analyzed with that of six H9N2 subtype avian influenza isolates in homology comparison and genetic evolution relation.[Result] The results showed that the nucleotide sequence of entire gene of the strain shared 91.1%-95.4% homology with other seven reference strains,and PG08 shared the highest homology 91.3% with C/BJ/1/94;ZD06 shared the highest homology 92.3% with D/HK/Y280/97.HA cleavage sites of two H9N2 subtype avian influenza virus isolated strains were PARSSR/GLF,typical of mildly pathogenic avian influenza virus.[Conclusion] Phylogenetic tree for entire gene of eight strains showed that the genetic relationship was the closest between ZD06 and C/Pak/2/99 strains,which belonged to the Eurasian lineage;PG08 shared the highest homology 91.3% with ZD06,it may be the product of gene rearrangements of other sub-lines.

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.

Study on Piezoelectric Immunosensor for the Detection of H9-subtype Avian Influenza Virus

[Objective] The aim is to develop the piezoelectric immunosensor to detect H9-subtype avian influenza virus（AIV）.[Method] The immunosensor chip was constructed by self-assembling mercaptopmpionic acid（MPA） to be monolayer on the silver-coated electrode of quartz crystal and coupling the monoclonal antibody to H9 subtype AIV with N-ethy-N＇-（3-dimethyl aminopropyl）carbodiimide hydrochloride（EDC） and N-hydroxysuccinimide（NHS）.The immunosensor to detect H9 subtype AIV was established.[Result] The results showed that the immunosensor displayed better specificity to H9 AIV and had no response to H5AIV and NDV when it was used for detection.The sensitivity test indicated the detection sensitivity for the H9 subtype AIV could reach 20-100 EID50.[Conclusion] The research provided a foundation for further research on the immunosensor for detecting AIV and it could be a new approach to detect other related viruses.

Genetic Variation Analysis on the Whole Genomic Sequence of a H9N2 Subtype Avian Influenza Virus Isolate

A Objective3 This study was to understand the genetic variation characters of the H9N2 subtype avian influenza virus isolate （A/Chicken/ Hebei/WD/98, abbreviated as WD98） by comparing with other reference strains. I-Method3 Eight complete genes were amplified by RT-PCR and sequenced. The homology and genetic evolution relationship were analyzed between these sequences and that of the seven reference strains. [Result] The whole genomic sequence of WD98 strain was 91.1% -95.8% homologous to that of seven reference strains tested. This isolate shared the highest homology （95.8%） to D/HK/Y280/97 and the lowest homology （91.1% ） to C/Pak/2/99. The HA cleavage site of the WD98 strain was R-S-S-R G, and the 226th amino acid at receptor-binding site was Gin. [ Condmion] WD98 strain belongs to mildly pathogenic avian in- fluenza virus and may not infect human. The genetic relationship is the closest between A/Chicken/Hebei/wD/98 and A/duck/HongKong/Y280/ 97, both of which belong to the sub-line of A/Chicken/Beijing/1/94 in Eurasian line. And A/Chicken/Hebei/WD/98 and A/Chicken/Beijing/1/94 are genetically distant within the same sub-line.

Establishment and Application of Digital RT-PCR Assay for Detection of Avian Influenza Virus H9 Subtype

A digital RT-PCR method for rapid detection of H9 subtype influenza was established by comparing the two methods of digital RT-PCR and real-time quantitative RT-PCR. The sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility of the two methods for H9 were determined by gradient dilution using the same pair of primers and probes. Both methods were able to detect 104 times diluted H9 pathogens, while digital RT-PCR could detect H9 in single droplets, and its sensitivity was higher than real-time quantitative RT-PCR. At the same time, the specificities of both methods were very strong, with no amplification reactions for H3N2, H4N2, H6N2. The reproducibility of the two methods were also good. Digital RT-PCR has a higher sensitivity than real-time quantitative RT-PCR and could play an important role in the rapid detection of H9 subtype influenza virus.

Preparation of Monoclonal Antibodies against Hemagglutinin of Avian Influenza Virus H9 Subtype by Plasmid Immunization

Avian influenza has caused enormous economic losses to poultry industry. To develop kits for rapid diagnosis of avian influenza virus （AIV） H9 subtype, 8-week-old Balb/c mice were administered with pcDNA3.1 （ ＋ ） carrying hemagglutinin （HA） gene of AIV H9 subtype. After cell fusion, one positive hybridoma cell strain was screened out by hemagglutination inhibition assay （ HI ）, and another positive hybddoma call strain was screened out by ELISA. After subcloning 3 times, the two cell strains could still secret antibodies against the HA of AIV H9 subtype. The mono- clonal antibodies did not react with Newcastle disease virus, AIV H5 subtype and duck adenovirus A. Their subtypes were IgG2b with kappa light chain. These two hybridoma cell strains may play an important role in rapid diagnosis and early-warning surveillance of AIV H9 subtype.

Effects of Trypsin on Proliferation of Avian Influenza Virus H9N2 Subtype in MDCK Cells

[Objective] The study aims to determine the optimal concentration of trypsin for the proliferation of avian influenza virus （AIV） H9N2 subtype in Madin- Darby canine kidney （MDCK） cells. [Method] Three AIV H9 subtype isolates were inoculated on MDCK cells respectively. Then, DMEM containing different concentrations of trypsin as maintenance media were added to MDCK monolayer cells. The cytopathic effect （CPE） was observed once every 24 h, and the HA titer of the supematant was measured by HA assay. [Result] When the trypsin concentration was 10 -20 μg/ml in DMEM, the HA titer of virus culture reached 7 log2 （1：128）. Almost all cells were cytopathic after 96 h post inoculation with 1：1 000 or 1：10 000 dilution of AIV culture, and the virus titer reached a peak after 72 -96 h. [ Conclusion] The optimal concentration of trypsin is 10 -20 pg/ml for proliferation of AIV H9N2 subtype in MDCK cells.

Effect of Different Culture Media on the Proliferation of Avian Influenza Virus H9 Subtypes in MDCK Cells

[Objective] To screen the best culture media for the proliferation of avian influenza virus （AIV） H9 subtypes in MDCK cells. [Method] The DMEM containing 10% （V/V） newborn calf serum, low-serum containing medium （ MEM-MD-611 ） and serum-free medium （SFE4Mega） were used to culture the MDCK monolayer ceils, which were then inoculated with different dilutions of AIV H9 subtypes, and the 3 kinds of media were al- so used as the maintenance solution to culture the virus. The cytopathic changes were observed at every 24 h, and the HA titers of the culture su- pernatants were also determined. [ Result] After culturing for 72 -96 h, the HA titers of the serum-free media were higher than that of low-serum culture media, while the HA titers were higher in the low-serum media than in the serum containing media. [ Conclusion] The 3 kinds of media can all used for the proliferation of AIV_ but the low-serum culture medium （MEM-MD-611 ） and serum-free medium （SFE4Meaa3 are preferred.

The cloning of non-structural-1 (NS1) gene of H9N2 subtype of avian influenza virus in pGEX-4T-1 and pMAL-c2X plasmids and expression in <i>Escherichia coli</i>DH5<i>α</i>strain

Avian influenza is a viral contagious disease that affects poultry industry and human health. Vaccination has been considered as a preventive tool in the eradication of AI, but it causes some limitations including trade embargoes and interfering with serologic surveillance in differentiation between infected and vaccinated animals (DIVA strategy). Several distinct DIVA strategies have been presented to conquer these limitations. In this study, the open reading frame of NS1 gene of a H9N2 subtype of AI virus was amplified by polymerase chain reaction. After extraction and purification of NS1 gene from agarose gel, it was inserted into two different pGEX-4T-1 and pMAL-c2X plasmids and transferred in DH5α strain of Escherichia coli by using electroporation procedure. The E. coli colonies possessing recombinant NS1 gene were screened using PCR, restriction mapping and sequencing analysis. The expressed rNS1 protein was purified using affinity chromatography based on MBP (pMAL- c2X) and GST (pGEX-4T-1). The MBP-NS1 and GST- NS1 proteins on SDS-PAGE had bands with molecular weight of 68 and 52 kDa respectively. Western blotting with MBP-NS1 protein showed positive reaction using antisera obtained from chickens challenged with a H9N2 subtype strain. But, the most sera prepared from H9N2 vaccinated chickens were negative in WB. These findings indicated that the MBP-rNS1 protein of 26 kDa expressed by pMAL-c2X plasmid can be used in a DIVA for differentiation of AI infected and vaccinated chickens.

Multiple RT-PCR Detection of H5,H7,and H9 Subtype Avian Influenza Viruses and Newcastle Disease Virus

Objective:This paper focuses on the multiple detection RT-PCR technology of H5,H7,AND H9 subtype avian influenza viruses and Newcastle disease virus,and points out the specific detection methods and detection procedures of avian influenza and Newcastle disease virus.Methods:The genes of Newcastle disease virus carrying out the HA gene sequence of H5,H7 and H9 subtype AIV in GenBank were used to establish a strategy for simultaneous detection of three subtypes of avian influenza virus and Newcastle disease virus.Results:The results showed that the program can detect and distinguish H5,H7 and H9 subtype avian influenza viruses and Newcastle disease virus at one time.Conclusion:Multiple RT-PCR detection method has high detection sensitivity and can detect and determine different subtypes of avian influenza virus and Newcastle disease virus quickly and accurately,therefore,it has a crucial role in the detection and control of avian influenza H5,H7 and H9 subtypes and Newcastle disease.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Genome Sequencing and Phylogenetic Analysis of Three Avian Influenza H9N2 Subtypes in Guangxi

Three isolates of H9N2 Avian Influenza viruses (AIV) were isolated from chickens in Guangxi province. Eight pairs of specific primers were designed and synthesized according to the sequences of H9N2 at GenBank. phylogenetic analysis showed a high degree of homology between the Guangxi isolates and isolates from Guangdong and Jiangsu provinces, suggesting that the Guangxi isolates originated from the same source. However, the eight genes of the three isolates from Guangxi were not in the same sublineages in their respective phylogenetic trees, which suggests that they were products of natural reassortment between H9N2 avian influenza viruses from different sublineages. The 9 nucleotides ACAGAGATA which encode amino acids T, G, I were absent between nucleotide 205 and 214 in the open reading frame of the NA gene in the Guangxi isolates. AIV strains that infect human have, in their HA proteins, leucine at position 226. The analysis of deduced amino acid sequence of HA proteins showed that position 226 of these isolates contained glycine instead of leucine, suggesting that these three isolates differ from H9N2 AIV strains isolated from human infections.

天蚕素对H_(9)N_(2)亚型禽流感病毒和禽致病性大肠杆菌共感染肉鸡的干预作用

试验旨在探讨天蚕素对H_(9)N_(2)亚型禽流感病毒(AIV)与禽致病性大肠杆菌(APEC)共感染致炎性渗出的干预效果,为临床H_(9)N_(2)亚型AIV与APEC共感染的有效防治提供参考。试验选取150只14日龄白羽肉鸡,随机分为5组,每组3个重复,每个重复10只鸡。对照组肉鸡使用无菌生理盐水0.2 mL滴鼻,APEC感染组肉鸡使用含2.09×109 CFU APEC O2菌株肉汤0.2 mL滴鼻,H_(9)N_(2)感染组肉鸡使用H_(9)N_(2)病毒尿囊液(约105 EID50 H_(9)N_(2)病毒)0.2 mL滴鼻,H_(9)N_(2)+APEC感染组肉鸡使用0.2 mL APEC O2菌株肉汤离心后的沉淀与0.2 mL H_(9)N_(2)病毒尿囊液混匀得到的病毒尿囊液滴鼻,H_(9)N_(2)+APEC干预组肉鸡采用与H_(9)N_(2)+APEC感染组相同处理后,使用天蚕素饮水(300 mg/kg)+基础饲粮饲喂,其余各组正常饮水+基础饲粮饲喂。正式试验期21 d。结果显示,H_(9)N_(2)+APEC感染组肉鸡临床症状极为明显,死亡率显著升高(P<0.05),气管和肺脏病变最为严重。与H_(9)N_(2)+APEC感染组相比,H_(9)N_(2)感染组和APEC感染组在感染后第3、7、14、21 d时的H_(9)N_(2)病毒拷贝数和APEC载量均显著降低(P<0.05);H_(9)N_(2)+APEC干预组在感染后第3、7、14、21 d时的H_(9)N_(2)病毒拷贝数均显著降低(P<0.05),H_(9)N_(2)+APEC干预组在感染后第7、14、21 d时的APEC载量均显著降低(P<0.05)。研究表明,天蚕素可以缓解H_(9)N_(2)亚型AIV、APEC以及两者共感染引起的肉鸡呼吸道症状,降低死亡率,其机制与天蚕素降低病原在组织内的载量及修复呼吸系统、改善呼吸机能有关。

The D253N Mutation in the Polymerase Basic 2 Gene in Avian Influenza(H9N2) Virus Contributes to the Pathogenesis of the Virus in Mammalian Hosts

Mutations in the polymerase basic 2(PB2) gene of avian influenza viruses are important signatures for their adaptation to mammalian hosts. Various adaptive mutations have been identified around the 627 and nuclear localization sequence(NLS) domains of PB2 protein, and these mutations contribute to the replicative ability of avian influenza viruses.However, few studies have focused on adaptive mutations in other regions of PB2. In this study, we investigated the functional roles of the D253N mutation in PB2 in an H9N2 virus. This mutation was found to affect an amino acid residue in the middle domain of the PB2 protein. The virus with the D253N mutation showed higher polymerase activity and transiently increased viral replication in human cells. However, the mutant did not show significant differences in viral replication in the respiratory tract of mice upon infection. Our results supported that the D253N mutation in the middle domain of PB2, similar to mutations at the 627 and NLS domains, specifically contributed to the replication of avian influenza viruses in human cells.

Discovery process, clinical characteristics, and treatment of patients infected with avian influenza virus （H7N9） in Shanghai

During the spring of 2013,a novel avian-origin influenza A （H7N9） virus emerged and spread in Shanghai.On May 9,2013,33 lab-confirmed cases （2 children and 31 adults） have been reported,among whom 13 died.Among the 31 adult cases of H7N9 avian influenza A virus infections in humans,80.6% （25/31） were older men （average age 65 years）.Clear history of poultry exposure was found in eight patients （8/33,24.3%） and the remaining 21 cases had been suspected poultry exposure.Clustered cases were found in two families （two cases from a father and his son,and the other two cases from a wife and her husband）.However,no evidence of human-to-human transmission had been identified.Avian influenza is one of the most dangerous contagions in poultry worldwide,and avian influenza A virus is the major pathogen responsible.Transmission from poultry to humans has now been proven.Some gene segments of the strain have mutated,and further mutations might result in human-to-human transmission.