2017–2019年我国南方地区高致病性H5N6亚型禽流感病毒血凝素蛋白分子特征分析

【背景】自2014年以来,H5N6禽流感病毒在我国家禽和活禽市场持续进化,成为人类和动物健康的重大威胁。【目的】对2017-2019年中国南方地区93株高致病性H5N6禽流感病毒的HA基因进行分子进化分析。【方法】接种9-11日龄鸡胚分离核酸检测阳性的H5N6标本,运用下一代测序平台对病毒分离物进行全基因组测序,从NCBI和GISAID数据库下载参考序列,利用BLAST、MEGA6.1及Clustal X等软件进行序列分析。【结果】2017-2019年,从189份江苏省H5亚型禽类/环境标本和1名H5N6患者咽拭子标本中共分离到43株病毒,完成了33株H5N6病毒的全基因组测序。下载网上同时期中国其他地区流行的H5N6毒株序列,对总计93株H5N6病毒的HA基因进行分子进化分析。93株H5N6病毒中有78株属于Clade 2.3.4.4h,9株病毒属于Clade 2.3.4.4e,4株H5N6病毒属于Clade 2.3.4.4b,1株属于Clade 2.3.4.4f,1株属于Clade 2.3.4.4g。所有93株病毒HA蛋白的裂解位点含有多个碱性氨基酸,表明它们都属于高致病性禽流感病毒。所有93株病毒HA蛋白的Q222和G224位氨基酸没有发生突变,保留了禽类受体α2-3半乳糖苷唾液酸(SAα2-3Gal)结合特性;158位点丧失糖基化,同时124位出现一个新的潜在糖基化位点。【结论】2017-2019年间中国南方地区H5N6病毒进化活跃,具有明显的基因多样性,需要加强对病毒分子进化的监测。     

2019-2020年苏中地区某活禽市场H9N2禽流感病毒分子进化

【背景】20世纪90年代以来,H9N2禽流感病毒成为危害我国养禽业及人类健康和公共卫生的重要病原。【目的】了解苏中地区2019-2020年活禽市场H9N2禽流感病毒的分子进化特征。【方法】通过荧光定量PCR法对标本进行流感病毒分型检测,原始标本用SPF鸡胚进行病毒分离,用特异性引物对病毒分离物进行全基因组测序,利用BLAST、ClustalX和MEGA6等软件进行序列比对和系统发育分析。【结果】2019-2020年间从苏中地区某农贸市场采集到231份环境和禽类标本,共检出34份甲型流感病毒,其中33份为H9N2亚型。阳性标本接种SPF鸡胚,分离到20株H9N2病毒。对其中11株病毒进行全基因组测序,系统发育分析表明11株病毒的HA和NA都属于H9N2禽流感Y280-like系的G57基因型。根据HA和NA的进化特征,11株病毒可分为5个基因组合(A、B、C、D和E),其中A (n=5)是优势流行基因组合。11株H9N2分离病毒的HA蛋白HA1和HA2亚单位的裂解位点是一个碱性氨基酸R,具有低致病性禽流感病毒的特征。HA蛋白的受体结合部位有4个氨基酸位点(I155T、H183N、A190...     

人感染新型H10N3禽流感病毒分子溯源

【背景】1997年香港发生人感染禽流感事件以来,禽流感病毒成为持续威胁人类健康和公共卫生的重要病原体。【目的】对一例人感染新型H10N3禽流感病毒病例开展分子溯源研究。【方法】流感病毒分型检测采用RT-qPCR法,在下一代测序平台上完成病毒基因组测序,序列和系统进化分析采用BLAST和MEGA 6.1等生物信息学软件。【结果】2021年4月从严重呼吸道疾病患者体内分离到一株病毒,经核酸检测和序列分析,结果表明其为H10N3亚型禽流感病毒。从患者居所附近的农贸市场分离到一株基因高度同源的H10N3亚型禽流感病毒。分离株是一种新的基因重配H10N3禽流感病毒,其血凝素hemagglutinin(HA)和神经氨酸酶neuraminidase(NA)组合最早在2019年华东地区的家禽中检测到,6个内部基因来源于近年来中国南方家禽中流行的H9N2病毒。病毒的HA蛋白的裂解位点含有1个碱性氨基酸R,未插入多个碱性氨基酸,理论上不属于高致病性禽流感病毒。HA蛋白受体结合位点228位氨基酸残基由G突变为S,理论上增强了对人SAα2,6受体的亲和力。另外,未发现PB2蛋白E627K突变,但591位氨基酸...     

一株H5N2亚型鹦鹉源禽流感病毒分子进化分析

2005年在广东进行流行病学调查时分离到一株鹦鹉源禽流感病毒,经鉴定为H5N2亚型禽流感病毒(A/Parrot/Guangdong/268/2005)。该毒株的HA裂解位点附近的氨基酸序列为RETRGLF,只含有一个碱性氨基酸,符合低致病性禽流感病毒的HA裂解位点附近氨基酸序列的分子特征;与H5N2亚型禽流感代表毒株相比,该毒株HA和NA基因的糖基化位点、HA基因的受体结合位点编码区、NA基因的耐药性位点均未发生变异。将该毒株全基因组序列与GenBank已公布的19株H5N2亚型禽流感病毒株的相应序列进行比较分析并绘制系统进化树后发现:其与低致病性禽流感毒株A/Pheasant/NJ/1355/1998(H5N2)-like的亲缘关系最近,位于以A/Chicken/Pennsylvania/1/1983(H5N2)为代表的美洲进化分支。     

一例混合感染中H3N2和H7N9流感病毒的分子遗传特性

【目的】揭示一例混合感染中H3N2和N7N9流感病毒的分子遗传特性。【方法】通过荧光定量PCR法对标本进行流感病毒分型检测。通过二代测序技术对病毒分离物进行全基因组测序分析。【结果】2013年4月在南京市检测到一例人季节性H3N2流感病毒和禽流感H7N9病毒混合感染,混合病毒分别命名为A/Nanjing/M1/2013 (H3N2) (M1-H3N2)和A/Nanjing/M2/2013 (H7N9) (M2-H7N9)。分离株M2-H7N9 HA蛋白的Q226L位点和PB2蛋白E627K位点发生突变,增强了病毒对人体的感染能力。【结论】报道了一起人混合感染H3N2和N7N9流感病毒病例,提示人可能成为流感病毒基因“混合器”,应高度关注H7N9病毒与人季节性流感病毒的基因重配现象。     

广州市两株人感染H5N6禽流感病毒全基因组序列特征分析

H5N6禽流感是重要的人兽共患病,给公共卫生带来严重威胁。为研究人感染H5N6禽流感病毒的基因特征,本文对广州市两株人感染H5N6禽流感病毒进行全基因组序列扩增,应用生物信息学软件分析分子变异和遗传进化特征。结果显示:两毒株各基因片段同源性存在差异,血凝素(Hemagglutinin,HA)基因同源性最高为98.3%,PB2基因同源性最低为85.2%。A/Guangzhou/41641/2014(H5N6)病毒的HA、神经氨酸酶(Neuraminidase,NA)、聚合酶碱性蛋白2(Polymerase basic protein 2,PB2)基因与猫源毒株A/feline/Guangdong/1/2015(H5N6)亲缘关系较近,推测可能起源于共同祖先。两株病毒均为禽源高致病性病毒,HA和NA表面蛋白受体结合位点、裂解位点和耐药位点未发生变异。内部基因重要位点均有不同程度的变异,其中以41641病毒变异较大,并发生PB2蛋白E627K突变。两株病毒均发生与不同亚型病毒之间的重组现象,41641病毒的内部基因分别与H5和H9N2/H7N9发生重组,其中PB2和PB1基因分别与2013年暴发的华南分支和华东分支H7N9禽流感病毒亲缘关系相近,A/Guangzhou/37845/2015(H5N6)病毒的内部基因与H5N1/H5N6病毒发生重组。因此,广州市两株人感染H5N6禽流感病毒进化起源不同,属于两种不同的基因型,本研究推测2013年暴发的H7N9禽流感病毒在新型H5N6重组病毒的进化过程中起到重要作用。     

番鸭源H6N6亚型禽流感病毒全基因组的分子特征

【目的】为了丰富水禽源禽流感病毒的分子流行病学资料,明确我国国内首次分离的番鸭源H6N6亚型禽流感(Avian influenza virus,AIV)病毒A/Muscovy Duck/Fujian/FZ01/2008(H6N6)(以下简称MD/FJ/F1/08)全基因组的分子特征,弄清该病毒的遗传进化特点。【方法】对其8个基因片段分别进行扩增和序列测定,并利用分子生物学软件对测序结果进行序列分析。【结果】MD/FJ/F1/08的HA裂解位点附近的氨基酸序列为PSMKVIV↓GL,为非连续的碱性氨基酸,其静脉接种指数(the intravenoys pathogenicity index,IVPI)为0.15,推测其为一株低致病力AIV。其HA基因、NP基因、M基因和PB2基因均与我国台湾分离株A/duck/Kingmen/E322/04(H6N2)该基因的核苷酸同源性最高,分别高达94.2%、95.7%、97.2%和95.6%,均处于同一遗传进化分支。其NA基因和我国远东分离株A/duck/Eastern China/01/2007(H4N6)同源性最高,达97.1%;其颈部有11个氨基酸的缺失(TNSTTTIINNN),为N6亚型神经氨酸酶基因中首次报道,在遗传进化上和H4N6亚型AIV的NA基因处于相同的分支。NS基因和香港地区分离株A/duck/HongKong/3600/99(H6N2)同源性最高,达96.1%;PB1和PA均与高致病性禽流感病毒株A/duck/HongKong/140/1998(H5N1)同源性最高,达95.6%和96.7%。且MD/FJ/F1/08的8基因与H6N6亚型流感病毒北美洲分离代表株均不处在同一遗传进化分支上,相互之间遗传关系较远。【结论】MD/FJ/F1/08可能是由H6N2、H4N6和H5N1等多亚型AIV基因重组而成。     

H5N1亚型禽流感病毒进化的研究进展

由H5N1流感病毒引起的高致病性禽流感,在禽类之间广泛传播。当人类接触这些禽类时,可能会被感染并产生严重的呼吸道症状,且死亡率高达60%。血凝素(hemagglutinin,HA)是H5N1病毒中和抗体的主要抗原,为了便于对病毒的HA突变进行研究,根据HA遗传基因的差异远近,所有的H5病毒株都被划分在20个分支内。对于H5N1病毒进化的研究在禽流感疫苗的研制、禽流感大流行的预防等方面均具有重要意义。现对禽流感、H5N1病毒特征、血凝素的结构功能、H5N1病毒的分支以及病毒进化的研究进行概述。     

H5N1亚型禽流感病毒的流行与致病性

H5N1禽流感病毒在禽类中广泛流行,对家禽养殖业造成严重经济损失。1997年香港地区首次出现人感染H5N1禽流感病例,2003年之后多个国家相继出现H5N1禽流感病毒感染人事件,目前已有16个国家650人感染发病,患者死亡率高达60%以上。随着H5N1禽流感病毒的持续流行与进化,该病毒仍然对公共卫生具有严重威胁。综述了H5N1禽流感病毒的进化特点、流行情况以及致病性。     

血液通路在H5N1高致病性禽流感病毒入侵小鼠中枢神经系统中的作用

【目的】研究血液通路在H5N1高致病性禽流感病毒入侵小鼠中枢神经系统中的作用。【方法】用3株H5N1病毒滴鼻感染BALB/c小鼠,研究小鼠肺、脑、血中的病毒在感染后不同时间点的复制动态及病理进展,通过免疫组化和免疫荧光染色显示病毒在脑部血管内皮细胞及血管周围神经组织的感染情况。【结果】小鼠感染后病毒迅速在肺中高效复制,随即形成病毒血症;感染后第6天病毒在肺中的滴度和在血液样本中的检出率达到峰值,此时小鼠脑部才开始检测到病毒;小鼠脑内血管内皮细胞、脑血管周围神经组织的神经元和神经胶质细胞中可检测到流感病毒NP蛋白。【结论】血液播散可能是高致病性H5N1禽流感病毒进入中枢神经系统的途径之一。     

Avian influenza (H5N1) virus of clade 2.3.2 in domestic poultry in India

South Asia has experienced regular outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza virus since its first detection in India and Pakistan in February, 2006. Till 2009, the outbreaks in this region were due to clade 2.2 H5N1 virus. In 2010, Nepal reported the first outbreak of clade 2.3.2 virus in South Asia. In February 2011, two outbreaks of H5N1 virus were reported in the State of Tripura in India. The antigenic and genetic analyses of seven H5N1 viruses isolated during these outbreaks were carried out. Antigenic analysis confirmed 64 to 256-fold reduction in cross reactivity compared with clade 2.2 viruses. The intravenous pathogenicity index of the isolates ranged from 2.80-2.95 indicating high pathogenicity to chickens. Sequencing of all the eight gene-segments of seven H5N1 viruses isolated in these outbreaks was carried out. The predicted amino acid sequence analysis revealed high pathogenicity to chickens and susceptibility to the antivirals, amantadine and oseltamivir. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that these viruses belong to clade 2.3.2.1 and were distinct to the clade 2.3.2.1 viruses isolated in Nepal. Identification of new clade 2.3.2 H5N1 viruses in South Asia is reminiscent of the introduction of clade 2.2 viruses in this region in 2006/7. It is now important to monitor whether the clade 2.3.2.1 is replacing clade 2.2 in this region or co-circulating with it. Continued co-circulation of various subclades of the H5N1 virus which are more adapted to land based poultry in a highly populated region such as South Asia increases the risk of evolution of pandemic H5N1 strains.     

ATF3 inhibits adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells

The global spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza A H5N1 viruses raises concerns about more widespread infection in the human population. Pre-pandemic vaccine for H5N1 clade 1 influenza viruses has been produced from the A/Viet Nam/1194/2004 strain (VN1194), but recent prevalent avian H5N1 viruses have been categorized into the clade 2 strains, which are antigenically distinct from the pre-pandemic vaccine. To understand the antigenicity of H5N1 hemagglutinin (HA), we produced a neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb12-1G6) using the pre-pandemic vaccine. Analysis with chimeric and point mutant HAs revealed that mAb12-1G6 bound to the loop (amino acid positions 140-145) corresponding to an antigenic site A in the H3 HA. mAb12-1G6 failed to bind to the mutant VN1194 HA when only 3 residues were substituted with the corresponding residues of the clade 2.1.3.2 A/Indonesia/5/05 strain (amino acid substitutions at positions Q142L, K144S, and S145P), suggesting that these amino acids are critical for binding of mAb12-1G6. Escape mutants of VN1194 selected with mAb12-1G6 carried a S145P mutation. Interestingly, mAb12-1G6 cross-neutralized clade 1 and clade 2.2.1 but not clade 2.1.3.2 or clade 2.3.4 of the H5N1 virus. We discuss the cross-reactivity, based on the amino acid sequence of the epitope.     

Molecular genetic characterization of H5N1 influenza virus strains isolated from poultry in the Kurgan region in 2005

In the second half of 2005, a large-scale outbreak of influenza in poultry and wild birds was caused by a highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza virus in Russia. The level of pathogenicity is a polygenic trait, and most individual genes contribute to the influenza A virus pathogenicity in birds, animals, and humans. The full-length nucleotide sequences were determined for H5N1 strains isolated in the Kurgan region (Western Siberia). The structure of viral proteins was analyzed using the deduced amino acid sequences. The receptor-binding site of hemagglutinin (HA) in strains A/chicken/Kurgan/05/2005 and A/duck/Kurgan/08/2005 was typical for avian influenza viruses and contained Glu and Gly at positions 226 and 228, respectively. The structure of the basic amino acid cluster located within the HA cleavage site was identical in all isolates: QGERRRKKR. According to the neuraminidase structure, all H5N1 isolates from the Kurgan region were assigned to the Z genotype. Amino acid residues typical for the avian influenza virus were revealed in 30 out of 32 positions of M1, M2, NP, PA, and PB2, determining the host range specificity. One of the strains contained Lys at position 627 of PB2. Isolates from the Kurgan region were shown to have a remantadine-sensitive genotype. Both strains contained Glu at position 92 of NS1, indicating that the virus is interferon-resistant. Phylogenetic analysis related the Kurgan isolates to subclade 2 of clade 2 of highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza viruses.     

Characterization of a highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus isolated from an ostrich

The continued spread of a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus among poultry and wild birds has posed a potential threat to human public health. An influenza pandemic happens, when a new subtype that has not previously circulated in humans emerges. Almost all of the influenza pandemics in history have originated from avian influenza viruses (AIV). Birds are significant reservoirs of influenza viruses. In the present study, we performed a survey of avian influenza virus in ostriches and H5N1 virus (A/Ostrich/SuZhou/097/03, China097) was isolated. This H5N1 virus is highly pathogenic to both chickens and mice. It is also able to replicate in the lungs of, and to cause death in, BALB/c mice following intranasal administration. It forms plaques in chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cells in the absence of trypsin. The hemagglutinin (HA) gene of the virus is genetically similar to A/Goose/Guangdong/1/96(H5N1) and belongs to clade 0. The HA sequence contains multiple basic amino acids adjacent to the cleavage site, a motif associated with HPAI viruses. More importantly, the existence of H5N1 isolates in ostriches highlights the potential threat of wild bird infections to veterinary and public health.     

Antigenic diversity of H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses of clade 2.3.4.4 isolated in Asia

H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) have spread in both poultry and wild birds since late 2003. Continued circulation of HPAIV in poultry in several regions of the world has led to antigenic drift. In the present study, we analyzed the antigenic properties of H5 HPAIV isolated in Asia using four neutralizing mAbs recognizing hemagglutinin, which were established using A/chicken/Kumamoto/1‐7/2014 (H5N8), belonging to clade 2.3.4.4 and also using polyclonal antibodies. Viruses of clades 1.1, 2.3.2.1, 2.3.4, and 2.3.4.4 had different reactivity patterns to the panel of mAbs, thereby indicating that the antigenicity of the viruses of clade 2.3.4.4 were similar but differed from the other clades. In particular, the antigenicity of the viruses of clade 2.3.4.4 differed from those of the viruses of clades 2.3.4 and 2.3.2.1, which suggests that the recent H5 HPAIV have further evolved antigenically divergent. In addition, reactivity of antiserum suggests that the antigenicity of viruses of clade 2.3.4.4 differed slightly among groups A, B, and C. Vaccines are still used in poultry in endemic countries, so the antigenicity of H5 HPAIV should be monitored continually to facilitate control of avian influenza. The panel of mAbs established in the present study will be useful for detecting antigenic drift in the H5 viruses that emerge from the current strains.     

Lethality to ferrets of H5N1 influenza viruses isolated from humans and poultry in 2004

The 2004 outbreaks of H5N1 influenza viruses in Vietnam and Thailand were highly lethal to humans and to poultry; therefore, newly emerging avian influenza A viruses pose a continued threat, not only to avian species but also to humans. We studied the pathogenicity of four human and nine avian H5N1/04 influenza viruses in ferrets (an excellent model for influenza studies). All four human isolates were fatal to intranasally inoculated ferrets. The human isolate A/Vietnam/1203/04 (H5N1) was the most pathogenic isolate; the severity of disease was associated with a broad tissue tropism and high virus titers in multiple organs, including the brain. High fever, weight loss, anorexia, extreme lethargy, and diarrhea were observed. Two avian H5N1/04 isolates were as pathogenic as the human viruses, causing lethal systemic infections in ferrets. Seven of nine H5N1/04 viruses isolated from avian species caused mild infections, with virus replication restricted to the upper respiratory tract. All chicken isolates were nonlethal to ferrets. A sequence analysis revealed polybasic amino acids in the hemagglutinin connecting peptides of all H5N1/04 viruses, indicating that multiple molecular differences in other genes are important for a high level of virulence. Interestingly, the human A/Vietnam/1203/04 isolate had a lysine substitution at position 627 of PB2 and had one to eight amino acid changes in all gene products except that of the M1 gene, unlike the A/chicken/Vietnam/C58/04 and A/quail/Vietnam/36/04 viruses. Our results indicate that viruses that are lethal to mammals are circulating among birds in Asia and suggest that pathogenicity in ferrets, and perhaps humans, reflects a complex combination of different residues rather than a single amino acid difference.     

The viral nucleoprotein determines Mx sensitivity of influenza A viruses

Host restriction factors play a crucial role in preventing trans-species transmission of viral pathogens. In mammals, the interferon-induced Mx GTPases are powerful antiviral proteins restricting orthomyxoviruses. Hence, the human MxA GTPase may function as an efficient barrier against zoonotic introduction of influenza A viruses into the human population. Successful viruses are likely to acquire adaptive mutations allowing them to evade MxA restriction. We compared the 2009 pandemic influenza A virus [strain A/Hamburg/4/09 (pH1N1)] with a highly pathogenic avian H5N1 isolate [strain A/Thailand/1(KAN-1)/04] for their relative sensitivities to human MxA and murine Mx1. The H5N1 virus was highly sensitive to both Mx GTPases, whereas the pandemic H1N1 virus was almost insensitive. Substitutions of the viral polymerase subunits or the nucleoprotein (NP) in a polymerase reconstitution assay demonstrated that NP was the main determinant of Mx sensitivity. The NP of H5N1 conferred Mx sensitivity to the pandemic H1N1 polymerase, whereas the NP of pandemic H1N1 rendered the H5N1 polymerase insensitive. Reassortant viruses which expressed the NP of H5N1 in a pH1N1 genetic background and vice versa were generated. Congenic Mx1-positive mice survived intranasal infection with these reassortants if the challenge virus contained the avian NP. In contrast, they succumbed to infection if the NP of pH1N1 origin was present. These findings clearly indicate that the origin of NP determines Mx sensitivity and that human influenza viruses acquired adaptive mutations to evade MxA restriction. This also explains our previous observations that human and avian influenza A viruses differ in their sensitivities to Mx.     

A recombinant vaccine of H5N1 HA1 fused with foldon and human IgG Fc induced complete cross-clade protection against divergent H5N1 viruses

Development of effective vaccines to prevent influenza, particularly highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) caused by influenza A virus (IAV) subtype H5N1, is a challenging goal. In this study, we designed and constructed two recombinant influenza vaccine candidates by fusing hemagglutinin 1 (HA1) fragment of A/Anhui/1/2005(H5N1) to either Fc of human IgG (HA1-Fc) or foldon plus Fc (HA1-Fdc), and evaluated their immune responses and cross-protection against divergent strains of H5N1 virus. Results showed that these two recombinant vaccines induced strong immune responses in the vaccinated mice, which specifically reacted with HA1 proteins and an inactivated heterologous H5N1 virus. Both proteins were able to cross-neutralize infections by one homologous strain (clade 2.3) and four heterologous strains belonging to clades 0, 1, and 2.2 of H5N1 pseudoviruses as well as three heterologous strains (clades 0, 1, and 2.3.4) of H5N1 live virus. Importantly, immunization with these two vaccine candidates, especially HA1-Fdc, provided complete cross-clade protection against high-dose lethal challenge of different strains of H5N1 virus covering clade 0, 1, and 2.3.4 in the tested mouse model. This study suggests that the recombinant fusion proteins, particularly HA1-Fdc, could be developed into an efficacious universal H5N1 influenza vaccine, providing cross-protection against infections by divergent strains of highly pathogenic H5N1 virus.     

Experimental Infection of Macaques with a Wild Water Bird-Derived Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (H5N1)

Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) continues to threaten human health. Non-human primate infection models of human influenza are desired. To establish an animal infection model with more natural transmission and to determine the pathogenicity of HPAIV isolated from a wild water bird in primates, we administered a Japanese isolate of HPAIV (A/whooper swan/Hokkaido/1/2008, H5N1 clade 2.3.2.1) to rhesus and cynomolgus monkeys, in droplet form, via the intratracheal route. Infection of the lower and upper respiratory tracts and viral shedding were observed in both macaques. Inoculation of rhesus monkeys with higher doses of the isolate resulted in stronger clinical symptoms of influenza. Our results demonstrate that HPAIV isolated from a water bird in Japan is pathogenic in monkeys by experimental inoculation, and provide a new method for HPAIV infection of non-human primate hosts, a good animal model for investigation of HPAIV pathogenicity.