利用反向遗传技术研究H9N2亚型AIV传播途径的分子机制

利用反向遗传技术,通过基因重排方法,产生两个表面基因来自A/Chicken/Guangdong/SS/94(H9N2)禽流感病毒(avian influenza virus,AIV)株和其余基因来自A/Chicken/Shanghai/F/98(H9N2)AIV株的3株H9N2亚型重排AIV,动物传播性试验发现A/Chicken/Shanghai/F/98(H9N2)株、A/Chicken/Guangdong/SS/94(H9N2)AIV株和3株H9N2亚型重排AIV都可以经直接接触途径传播;在粪便接触途径下,3株重排AIV都不经粪便接触传播;只有A/Chicken/Shanghai/F/98(H9N2)株和重排AIV RF7/SSHA能经过气溶胶途径传播。HI试验结果进一步证明了以上的结果。实验结果表明H9N2亚型AIV的NA基因与H9N2亚型AIV气溶胶传播途径有重要的关系,即1998年中国大陆H9N2亚型AIV大流行可能是因为病毒获得气溶胶传播途径的特性,推测病毒的NA基因发挥了重要作用。     

利用反向遗传技术产生8基因全禽源流感病毒疫苗候选株

利用反向遗传技术将含有A/Chicken/Shanghai/F/98(H9N2)株禽流感病毒(avian influenza virus,AIV)的6个内部基因与H5N1亚型AIV的2个表面基因HA和NA共转染COS-1细胞,产生了6 2全禽源的重配AIV。将H5N1亚型AIV的HA基因经基因突变致弱,然后将A/Chicken/Shanghai/F/98(H9N2)AIV的6个内部基因的cD-NA和以上致弱的禽源HA基因及NA基因的cDNA分别克隆到转录/表达载体pHW2000中,构建成8个转录/表达质粒。将8个质粒共转染COS-1细胞,24h后收获细胞及上清接种SPF鸡胚,72~90h后鸡胚死亡,收取鸡胚尿囊液进行血凝、血凝抑制试验、序列分析、病毒致病性试验和动物免疫保护试验,最终证实产生了致弱的全禽源AIV疫苗候选株。     

我国部分鸡源H9N2亚型流感病毒NS1基因序列分析

对1996年至2001年间自我国部分养鸡场发病鸡或死亡鸡分离鉴定的8株H9N2亚型禽流感病毒的非结构蛋白基因(NS1)进行了扩增和序列测定,并分析和比较了其核苷酸和氨基酸的同源性。结果表明, NS1基因核苷酸和氨基酸同源性分别为96.5%～99.5% 和94.5～98.6%, 说明NS1基因在遗传进化上高度保守,稳定遗传。与中国香港、韩国、巴基斯坦及人源H9N2分离株相比较,发现中国大陆的鸡源H9N2分离株的NS1基因在其羧基端缺少13个氨基酸。系统进化树分析表明,该8株病毒的NS1基因属于相同的进化分支,而且中国的早年分离株A/chicken/Beijing/1/94位于该进化分支的根部,暗示这些分离株的NS1基因是由A/chicken/Beijing/1/94演化而来;尚未发现NS1基因属于A/quail/Hong Kong/G1/97like分支的分离株。同时,系统进化树也说明了我国的H9N2分离株与韩国、巴基斯坦等地的H9N2分离株隶属于不同的进化分支,H9N2亚型禽流感的发生和流行与地域有一定的相关性。     

青海湖地区5株 H9N2亚型禽流感病毒全基因组序列进化分析

2012年7~9月从来源于青海湖地区活禽市场的环境样本中分离到5株H9N2亚型禽流感病毒,为了了解其基因遗传进化情况,本研究通过RT-PCR技术扩增分离毒株的8个基因片段,并进行全基因序列测定。对其分子特征及全基因序列进行遗传进化分析。结果显示5株病毒的HA基因片段的核苷酸相似度为93.2%~99.1%。NA基因核苷酸的相似度为94.5%~99.8%。A/environment/qinghai/017/2012的裂解位点为PSKSSRGLF,其它4个毒株的HA裂解位点均为PSRSSRGLF。5个病毒的HA基因第226位受体结合位点均为L。M1基因片段中发生了N30D和T215A替换。遗传进化分析表明5株病毒同2005年湖南分离的A/chicken/Hunan/5260/2005(H9N2)毒株类似,为一种重配基因型禽流感病毒。其中HA、NA、NS基因片段属于Y280-like支系,MP基因片段属于G1-like支系,NP、PB1、PB2、PA四个基因片段属于F98-like支系。     

H9N2亚型禽流感病毒NS1基因的进化分析

利用RT-PCR方法,扩增了1998～2005年间分离的9株H9N2亚型禽流感病毒的NS1基因,对其进行了序列测定和进化分析.序列分析表明,9株AIV NS1基因完整的阅读框均为654bp,编码217个氨基酸,其核苷酸和推导的氨基酸同源性分别为95.4%～99.8%和93.6%～100%;9株病毒的NS1蛋白的C端均有13个氨基酸的缺失;进化分析表明,9株AIV属于A群,且形成一个独立分支,在该分支中,只有Ck/HN/A3/98株属于Ck/HK/Y280/97-like亚类,且与Ck/BJ/8/98的进化关系最近,其余8株属于Ck/SH/F/98-like亚类,说明Ck/SH/F/98-like亚类的H9N2亚型AIV在中国大陆的鸡群中广泛存在.NS1基因的进化及其编码产物的特性分析,为AIV的毒力变异、致病机制、药物靶位点的设计及鉴别诊断的研究奠定了基础.     

山东地区16株H9N2亚型禽流感病毒HA基因的序列分析

为了解H9N2亚型禽流感病毒(AIV)山东分离株的遗传变异情况,采用RT-PCR技术对16株从山东不同地区分离的H9N2亚型禽流感病毒的HA基因进行扩增、克隆和测序,并对所获得的HA全序列进行同源性和遗传进化分析。结果显示,16个分离株的裂解位点均为RSSR↓GLF,符合低致病性禽流感病毒的分子特征;有7～9个潜在糖基化位点;受体结合位点除198位有变异,其他位点均较保守;234位氨基酸均为L,具有与哺乳动物唾液酸α,2-6受体结合的特征;16个分离株HA基因核苷酸及氨基酸序列同源性分别为96.3%～99.9%和97.1%～99.6%;16个分离株同属于欧亚分支中的A/Duck/Hong Kong/Y280/97亚群。     

鹌鹑源H9N2亚型流感病毒的分离鉴定及其生物学特性研究

本研究从人感染H7N9活禽交易市场的鹌鹑体内分离到1株H9N2亚型流感病毒并命名为A/Quail/Hangzhou/1/2013(H9N2),并分析了该毒株的基因组特性及其对鸡的致病力。序列分析结果显示:基因组中HA、NS基因属于类CK/BJ/1/94分支,NA、NP、PA、PB1基因属于类SH/F/98分支,M和PB2属于类G1/97分支。关键氨基酸位点分析结果显示:HA的裂解位点为PSRSSR↓GL,HA蛋白具有人样流感病毒受体结合位点Leu226,NA颈部出现63-65位氨基酸的缺失,M2蛋白Asn31和NS1蛋白Ser42、Ala149发生了突变。该毒株的IVPI为0.36。雏鸡感染性试验的结果显示:所有接种鸡在感染后的第3天从呼吸道和消化道都可检测到排毒,直至第11天停止排毒。同居感染动物于放入后的第2天达到排毒高峰,排毒率为100%,持续至第8天停止排毒。感染动物的病毒再分离结果显示:肺和气管的带毒时间可达5天,其他组织为3天。以上结果表明:该毒株是一株H9N2大陆流行谱系的低致病性禽流感病毒。本研究为H9N2亚型禽流感病毒的预防和监控提供了一定的理论依据。     

一株H5N1亚型禽流感病毒的分离与鉴定

2004年1月湖北宜昌某鸡场暴发疫病,从该鸡场濒死鸡肺组织中分离到了一株病毒,电镜切片观察到典型的禽流感病毒粒子;采用ELISA检测禽流感抗原为阳性;RT-PCR扩增HA、NA基因并测序,经BLAST分析,HA基因与A/Goose/Guangdong/1/96(H5N1)HA基因同源性为97%;NA基因与A/Goose/Guangdong/1/96(H5N1)NA基因同源性为96%,确定该分离株为禽流感病毒H5N1亚型(A/Chicken/Yichang/Lung-1/04(H5N1)).     

鸡源H9N2亚型流行性感冒病毒神经氨酸酶基因序列分析

对1996～2001年间自中国部分养鸡场发病鸡或死亡鸡分离鉴定的8株H9N2亚型禽流感病毒的神经氨酸酶基因(NA),进行了扩增和序列测定,并分析和比较了其核苷酸和氨基酸的同源性.结果表明,NA基因核苷酸和氨基酸同源性分别为97.1%～99.8%和95.7%～99.7%,说明NA基因稳定遗传,高度保守.与A/chicken/HongKong/G9/97相比较,发现中国大陆鸡源H9N2分离株的神经氨酸酶蛋白在其茎部的第63、64、65位点上都有3个氨基酸的丢失,而与中国邻近的韩国、巴基斯坦鸡源H9N2分离株的神经氨酸酶没有氨基酸的丢失,因此这些部位的氨基酸丢失可初步认为是中国大陆H9N2流感病毒分离株的一个标记.系统进化树分析表明,该8株病毒的NA基因属于相同的进化分支,即A/duck/HongKong/Y280/97-like分支,尚未发现NA基因属于A/quail/HongKong/G1/97-like分支的分离株.中国的H9N2分离株与韩国、巴基斯坦等地的H9N2分离株隶属于不同的进化亚分支,说明H9N2亚型禽流感的发生与流行和地域有一定的相关性.     

H9N2亚型禽流感病毒基因组的遗传进化分析

2009～2011年从江苏省、湖北省和安徽省等地来源于鸡、鸭、鹌鹑和鸽子的样品中分离鉴定出16株H9N2亚型禽流感病毒。通过反转录聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)扩增出分离株的全基因片段,并对其进行测序及遗传进化分析。序列分析显示,16株病毒HA基因裂解位点氨基酸序列为P-S-R/K-S-S-R,符合低致病性禽流感的分子特征;226位均为L,具有与哺乳动物唾液酸α,2-6受体结合的特性。M2基因均出现了对金刚烷胺产生耐药性的N31S突变。不同宿主来源的H9亚型AIV的主要分子特征一致。全基因遗传进化分析表明16株H9N2亚型禽流感病毒全基因发生了3配体重组,即以F98亚系AIV为骨架,HA来源于Y280亚系,PB2和M基因来源于G1亚系,形成了2种新的基因型。因此,要加强对H9N2亚型禽流感病毒的监测,密切关注它的重组趋势。     

用8质粒病毒拯救系统产生H9N2/WSN重组A型流行性感冒病毒

把禽流行性感冒(流感)病毒A／Chicken／Shanghai／F／98(H9N2)的血凝素(HA)和神经氨酸酶(NA)基因cDNA克隆至polⅠ-pol Ⅱ双向转录和表达载体pHW2000,用这两种质粒与8质粒病毒拯救系统中流感病毒A／WSN／33(H1N1)6个内部基因cDNA的质粒组合(6 2重排),共转染COS-1细胞,产生了能在鸡胚中高滴度增殖的H9N2／、WSN重组病毒。用A／WSN／33的8个基因cDNA质粒作对照,也产生了转染子病毒。经过EID50测定和MDCK感染实验,新基因型H9N2／WSN病毒感染鸡胚的能力强(EID50为10^-11／0．2m1),而且对鸡胚的毒力弱,在不加胰酶的情况下不使MDCK细胞产牛病变。经电镜观察,两个转染子病毒的形态与野生型流感病毒相似。反向遗传操作技术的建立,为对禽流感病毒基因功能和疫苗构建等方面的研究提供了新的手段。     

Characterization of the Influenza A Virus Gene Pool in Avian Species in Southern China: Was H6N1 a Derivative or a Precursor of H5N1?

In 1997, an H5N1 influenza virus outbreak occurred in chickens in Hong Kong, and the virus was transmitted directly to humans. Because there is limited information about the avian influenza virus reservoir in that region, we genetically characterized virus strains isolated in Hong Kong during the 1997 outbreak. We sequenced the gene segments of a heterogeneous group of viruses of seven different serotypes (H3N8, H4N8, H6N1, H6N9, H11N1, H11N9, and H11N8) isolated from various bird species. The phylogenetic relationships divided these viruses into several subgroups. An H6N1 virus isolated from teal (A/teal/Hong Kong/W312/97 [H6N1]) showed very high (>98%) nucleotide homology to the human influenza virus A/Hong Kong/156/97 (H5N1) in the six internal genes. The N1 neuraminidase sequence showed 97% nucleotide homology to that of the human H5N1 virus, and the N1 protein of both viruses had the same 19-amino-acid deletion in the stalk region. The deduced hemagglutinin amino acid sequence of the H6N1 virus was most similar to that of A/shearwater/Australia/1/72 (H6N5). The H6N1 virus is the first known isolate with seven H5N1-like segments and may have been the donor of the neuraminidase and the internal genes of the H5N1 viruses. The high homology between the internal genes of H9N2, H6N1, and the H5N1 isolates indicates that these subtypes are able to exchange their internal genes and are therefore a potential source of new pathogenic influenza virus strains. Our analysis suggests that surveillance for influenza A viruses should be conducted for wild aquatic birds as well as for poultry, pigs, and humans and that H6 isolates should be further characterized.     

H9N2 influenza viruses possessing H5N1-like internal genomes continue to circulate in poultry in southeastern China

The transmission of H9N2 influenza viruses to humans and the realization that the A/Hong Kong/156/97-like (H5N1) (abbreviated HK/156/97) genome complex may be present in H9N2 viruses in southeastern China necessitated a study of the distribution and characterization of H9N2 viruses in poultry in the Hong Kong SAR in 1999. Serological studies indicated that H9N2 influenza viruses had infected a high proportion of chickens and other land-based birds (pigeon, pheasant, quail, guinea fowl, and chukka) from southeastern China. Two lineages of H9N2 influenza viruses present in the live-poultry markets were represented by A/Quail/Hong Kong/G1/97 (Qa/HK/G1/97)-like and A/Duck/Hong Kong/Y280/97 (Dk/HK/Y280/97)-like viruses. Up to 16% of cages of quail in the poultry markets contained Qa/HK/G1/97-like viruses, while about 5% of cages of other land-based birds were infected with Dk/HK/Y280/97-like viruses. No reassortant between the two H9N2 virus lineages was detected despite their cocirculation in the poultry markets. Reassortant viruses represented by A/Chicken/Hong Kong/G9/97 (H9N2) were the major H9N2 influenza viruses circulating in the Hong Kong markets in 1997 but have not been detected since the chicken slaughter in 1997. The Qa/HK/G1/97-like viruses were frequently isolated from quail, while Dk/HK/Y280/97-like viruses were predominately associated with chickens. The Qa/HK/G1/97-like viruses were evolving relatively rapidly, especially in their PB2, HA, NP, and NA genes, suggesting that they are in the process of adapting to a new host. Experimental studies showed that both H9N2 lineages were primarily spread by the aerosol route and that neither quail nor chickens showed evidence of disease. The high prevalence of quail infected with Qa/HK/G1/97-like virus that contains six gene segments genetically highly related to HK/156/97 (H5N1) virus emphasizes the need for surveillance of mammals including humans.     

Continuing evolution of H9N2 influenza viruses in Southeastern China

H9N2 influenza viruses are panzootic in domestic poultry in Eurasia and since 1999 have caused transient infections in humans and pigs. To investigate the zoonotic potential of H9N2 viruses, we studied the evolution of the viruses in live-poultry markets in Hong Kong in 2003. H9N2 was the most prevalent influenza virus subtype in the live-poultry markets between 2001 and 2003. Antigenic and phylogenetic analysis of hemagglutinin (HA) showed that all of the 19 isolates found except one belonged to the lineage represented by A/Duck/Hong Kong/Y280/97 (H9N2). The exception was A/Guinea fowl/NT184/03 (H9N2), whose HA is most closely related to that of the human isolate A/Guangzhou/333/99 (H9N2), a virus belonging to the A/Chicken/Beijing/1/94-like (H9N2) lineage. At least six different genotypes were recognized. The majority of the viruses had nonstructural (and HA) genes derived from the A/Duck/Hong Kong/Y280/97-like virus lineage but had other genes of mixed avian virus origin, including genes similar to those of H5N1 viruses isolated in 2001. Viruses of all six genotypes of H9N2 found were able to replicate in chickens and mice without adaptation. The infected chickens showed no signs of disease, but representatives of two viral genotypes were lethal to mice. Three genotypes of virus replicated in the respiratory tracts of swine, which shed virus for at least 5 days. These results show an increasing genetic and biologic diversity of H9N2 viruses in Hong Kong and support their potential role as pandemic influenza agents.     

A new generation of modified live-attenuated avian influenza viruses using a two-strategy combination as potential vaccine candidates

In light of the recurrent outbreaks of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), there is a pressing need for the development of vaccines that allow rapid mass vaccination. In this study, we introduced by reverse genetics temperature-sensitive mutations in the PB1 and PB2 genes of an avian influenza virus, A/Guinea Fowl/Hong Kong/WF10/99 (H9N2) (WF10). Further genetic modifications were introduced into the PB1 gene to enhance the attenuated (att) phenotype of the virus in vivo. Using the att WF10 as a backbone, we substituted neuraminidase (NA) for hemagglutinin (HA) for vaccine purposes. In chickens, a vaccination scheme consisting of a single dose of an att H7N2 vaccine virus at 2 weeks of age and subsequent challenge with the wild-type H7N2 LPAI virus resulted in complete protection. We further extended our vaccination strategy against the HPAI H5N1. In this case, we reconstituted an att H5N1 vaccine virus, whose HA and NA genes were derived from an Asian H5N1 virus. A single-dose immunization in ovo with the att H5N1 vaccine virus in 18-day-old chicken embryos resulted in more than 60% protection for 4-week-old chickens and 100% protection for 9- to 12-week-old chickens. Boosting at 2 weeks posthatching provided 100% protection against challenge with the HPAI H5N1 virus for chickens as young as 4 weeks old, with undetectable virus shedding postchallenge. Our results highlight the potential of live att avian influenza vaccines for mass vaccination in poultry.     

Characterization of H9 subtype influenza viruses from the ducks of southern China: a candidate for the next influenza pandemic in humans?

A current view of the emergence of pandemic influenza viruses envisages a gene flow from the aquatic avian reservoir to humans via reassortment in pigs, the hypothetical "mixing vessel." Understanding arising from recent H5N1 influenza outbreaks in Hong Kong since 1997 and the isolation of avian H9N2 virus from humans raises alternative options for the emergence of a new pandemic virus. Here we report that H9N2 influenza viruses established in terrestrial poultry in southern China are transmitted back to domestic ducks, in which the viruses generate multiple reassortants. These novel H9N2 viruses are double or even triple reassortants that have amino acid signatures in their hemagglutinin, indicating their potential to directly infect humans. Some of them contain gene segments that are closely related to those of A/Hong Kong/156/97 (H5N1/97, H5N1) or A/Quail/Hong Kong/G1/97 (G1-like, H9N2). More importantly, some of their internal genes are closely related to those of novel H5N1 viruses isolated during the outbreak in Hong Kong in 2001. This study reveals a two-way transmission of influenza virus between terrestrial and aquatic birds that facilitates the generation of novel reassortant H9N2 influenza viruses. Such reassortants may directly or indirectly play a role in the emergence of the next pandemic virus.     

Molecular Evolution of H6 Influenza Viruses from Poultry in Southeastern China: Prevalence of H6N1 Influenza Viruses Possessing Seven A/Hong Kong/156/97 (H5N1)-Like Genes in Poultry

The A/teal/Hong Kong/W312/97 (H6N1) influenza virus and the human H5N1 and H9N2 influenza viruses possess similar genes encoding internal proteins, suggesting that H6N1 viruses could become novel human pathogens. The molecular epidemiology and evolution of H6 influenza viruses were characterized by antigenic and genetic analyses of 29 H6 influenza viruses isolated from 1975 to 1981 and 1997 to 2000. Two distinct groups were identified on the basis of their antigenic characteristics. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all H6N1 viruses isolated from terrestrial poultry in 1999 and 2000 are closely related to A/teal/Hong Kong/W312/97 (H6N1), and the nucleotide sequences of these viruses and of A/Hong Kong/156/97 (H5N1) were more than 96% homologous. The hemagglutinin (HA) of the 1999 and 2000 terrestrial viruses does not have multiple basic amino acids at the site of cleavage of HA1 to HA2; however, a unique insertion of aspartic acid in HA1 between positions 144 and 145 (H3 numbering) was found. The neuraminidase of these terrestrial H6N1 viruses has a deletion of 19 amino acids characteristic of A/Hong Kong/156/97 (H5N1). Evolutionary analysis suggested that these H6N1 viruses coevolved with A/quail/Hong Kong/G1/97-like H9N2 viruses and became more adapted to terrestrial poultry. These terrestrial 1999 and 2000 A/teal/Hong Kong/W312/97 (H6N1)-like viruses, along with the H9N2 viruses, could have been involved in the genesis of the pathogenic H5N1 influenza viruses of 1997. The presence of H6N1 viruses in poultry markets in Hong Kong that possess seven of the eight genes of the A/Hong Kong/156/97 (H5N1) virus raises the following fundamental questions relevant to influenza pandemic preparedness: could the pathogenic H5N1 virus reemerge and could the H6N1 viruses directly cross the species barrier to mammals?     

Establishment of influenza A virus (H6N1) in minor poultry species in southern China

An H6N1 virus, A/teal/Hong Kong/W312/97 (W312), was isolated during the "bird flu" incident in Hong Kong in 1997. Genetic analysis suggested that this virus might be the progenitor of the A/Hong Kong/156/97 (HK/97) H5N1 virus, as seven of eight gene segments of those viruses had a common source. Continuing surveillance in Hong Kong showed that a W312-like virus was prevalent in quail and pheasants in 1999; however, the further development of H6N1 viruses has not been investigated since 2001. Here we report influenza virus surveillance data collected in southern China from 2000 to 2005 that show that H6N1 viruses have become established and endemic in minor poultry species and replicate mainly in the respiratory tract. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that all H6N1 isolates had W312-like hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes. However, reassortment of internal genes between different subtype virus lineages, including H5N1, H9N2, and other avian viruses, generated multiple novel H6N1 genotypes in different types of poultry. These novel H6N1/N2 viruses are double, triple, or even quadruple reassortants. Reassortment between a W312-like H6N1 virus and an A/quail/Hong Kong/G1/97 (HK/97)-like H9N2 virus simultaneously generated novel H6N2 subtype viruses that were persistent in poultry. Molecular analyses suggest that W312-like viruses may not be the precursors of HK/97 virus but reassortants from an HK/97-like virus and another unidentified H6 subtype virus. These results provide further evidence of the pivotal role of the live poultry market system of southern China in generating increased genetic diversity in influenza viruses in this region.     

The continued pandemic threat posed by avian influenza viruses in Hong Kong

In 1997, a highly pathogenic avian H5N1 influenza virus was transmitted directly from live commercial poultry to humans in Hong Kong. Of the 18 people infected, six died. The molecular basis for the high virulence of this virus in mice was found to involve an amino acid change in the PB2 protein. To eliminate the source of the pathogenic virus, all birds in the Hong Kong markets were slaughtered. In 1999, another avian influenza virus of H9N2 subtype was transmitted to two children in Hong Kong. In 2000-2002, H5N1 avian viruses reappeared in the poultry markets of Hong Kong, although they have not infected humans. Continued circulation of H5N1 and other avian viruses in Hong Kong raises the possibility of future human influenza outbreaks. Moreover, the acquisition of properties of human viruses by the avian viruses currently circulating in southeast China might result in a pandemic.