Inhibition of Glycosylation of the Influenza Virus Hemagglutinin

d-Glucosamine and 2-deoxy-d-glucose interfere with the biosynthesis of the hemagglutinin glycoproteins. With increasing inhibitor concentrations a progressive decrease in size of the precursor HA and the cleavage products, HA(1) and HA(2) can be observed. The shift in molecular weight is paralleled by a decrease of the carbohydrate content. This was shown by labeling studies with radioactive sugars which revealed that the inhibitors block the incorporation into glycoproteins, whereas they have no or only slight effects on the uptake and activation of sugars. Under conditions of maximal inhibition, the hemagglutinin proteins lack all or most of their carbohydrates. These findings indicate that the inhibitory effect of d-glucosamine and 2-deoxy-d-glucose is due to an impairment of glycosylation. When glycosylation is inhibited, the precursor polypeptide is synthesized at normal rates. Its cleavage products, however, are very heterogeneous. This suggests that carbohydrate protects the hemagglutinin from proteolytic degradation.     

Inhibition of Influenza Virus Replication by Nitric Oxide

Nitric oxide (NO) has been shown to contribute to the pathogenesis of influenza virus-induced pneumonia in mouse models. Here we show that replication of influenza A and B viruses in Mabin Darby canine kidney cells is severely impaired by the NO donor, S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine. Reduction of productively infected cells and virus production proved to correlate with inhibition of viral RNA synthesis, indicating that NO affects an early step in the replication cycle of influenza viruses.     

Influenza A Virus Encoding Secreted Gaussia Luciferase as Useful Tool to Analyze Viral Replication and Its Inhibition by Antiviral Compounds and Cellular Proteins

Reporter genes inserted into viral genomes enable the easy and rapid quantification of virus replication, which is instrumental to efficient in vitro screening of antiviral compounds or in vivo analysis of viral spread and pathogenesis. Based on a published design, we have generated several replication competent influenza A viruses carrying either fluorescent proteins or Gaussia luciferase. Reporter activity could be readily quantified in infected cultures, but the virus encoding Gaussia luciferase was more stable than viruses bearing fluorescent proteins and was therefore analyzed in detail. Quantification of Gaussia luciferase activity in the supernatants of infected culture allowed the convenient and highly sensitive detection of viral spread, and enzymatic activity correlated with the number of infectious particles released from infected cells. Furthermore, the Gaussia luciferase encoding virus allowed the sensitive quantification of the antiviral activity of the neuraminidase inhibitor (NAI) zanamivir and the host cell interferon-inducible transmembrane (IFITM) proteins 1–3, which are known to inhibit influenza virus entry. Finally, the virus was used to demonstrate that influenza A virus infection is sensitive to a modulator of endosomal cholesterol, in keeping with the concept that IFITMs inhibit viral entry by altering cholesterol levels in the endosomal membrane. In sum, we report the characterization of a novel influenza A reporter virus, which allows fast and sensitive detection of viral spread and its inhibition, and we show that influenza A virus entry is sensitive to alterations of endosomal cholesterol levels.     

Intracellular Cleavage of Human Influenza A Virus Hemagglutinin and Its Inhibition

Replication of human influenza A viruses and proteolytic cleavage of the viral glycoprotein HA0 HA1/2 were studied in passaged cultures of epithelial cells of the serous membrane of human large intestine (CACO-2 line), dog kidney cells (MDCK), and monkey kidney cells (CV-1). Cleavage of the viral glycoprotein HA0, synthesis of activated virions, multicycle virus infection, and effective production of viral foci under an agarose overlayer were found in CACO-2 cells. By pulse–chase labeling of viral glycoproteins, testing the sensitivity to endoglycosidase-H of the viral glycoproteins HA0 and HA1/2 synthesized, and inhibiting the HA0 proteolysis with brefeldin A, the HA0 HA1/2 proteolysis was established to occur in the late stages of intracellular transport in the trans-Golgi and plasma membrane areas of the cells. Proteolysis of the viral glycoprotein HA0 in CACO-2 cells was suppressed by aprotinin, a natural inhibitor of serine proteinases. Unlike MDCK and CV-1 cells resistant to apoptosis induced by influenza virus, CACO-2 cells retained their viability for 2-3 days after infection with human influenza A virus.     

利用靶定基质蛋白基因m的小干扰RNA抑制2009甲型H1N1流感病毒的复制

目的:设计、构建并筛选针对流感病毒基质蛋白基因m的小干扰RNA(siRNA),检测其对2009甲型H1N1流感病毒复制的抑制效果。方法:设计3条针对流感病毒m基因的siRNA,并克隆到短发夹型(shRNA)siRNA表达载体pSilencer2.1-U6-hygro上;经测序证明构建成功后,将表达3种siRNA的质粒和阴性对照质粒psiRNA-control分别转染MDCK细胞,用潮霉素筛选稳定表达细胞株,用H1N1流感病毒感染细胞,通过Real-time PCR和Western印迹检测干扰效果。结果:构建了3个针对流感病毒m基因的siRNA表达质粒,3种siRNA均使m基因的mRNA水平降低,其中M1-306的抑制效率达60%;3种siRNA均使流感病毒NA蛋白的表达量降低,M2-25、M1-105的抑制效率明显,M1-306略低。结论:针对m基因的siRNA可以有效抑制流感病毒在MDCK细胞中的复制。     

Small Interfering RNA Targeting M2 Gene Induces Effective and Long Term Inhibition of Influenza A Virus Replication

RNA interference (RNAi) provides a powerful new means to inhibit viral infection specifically. However, the selection of siRNA-resistant viruses is a major concern in the use of RNAi as antiviral therapeutics. In this study, we conducted a lentiviral vector with a H1-short hairpin RNA (shRNA) expression cassette to deliver small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) into mammalian cells. Using this vector that also expresses enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) as surrogate marker, stable shRNA-expressing cell lines were successfully established and the inhibition efficiencies of rationally designed siRNAs targeting to conserved regions of influenza A virus genome were assessed. The results showed that a siRNA targeting influenza M2 gene (siM2) potently inhibited viral replication. The siM2 was not only effective for H1N1 virus but also for highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1. In addition to its M2 inhibition, the siM2 also inhibited NP mRNA accumulation and protein expression. A long term inhibition effect of the siM2 was demonstrated and the emergence of siRNA-resistant mutants in influenza quasispecies was not observed. Taken together, our study suggested that M2 gene might be an optimal RNAi target for antiviral therapy. These findings provide useful information for the development of RNAi-based prophylaxis and therapy for human influenza virus infection.     

质粒介导的核衣壳蛋白siRNA干扰A型流感病毒复制的研究

A型流感病毒(Influenza virus)属于正粘病毒科流感病毒属,可引起鸟类、多种禽类、人类和低等哺乳动物的严重疾病[1],该病毒基因组为负链单股RNA病毒, 分8个节段,容易引起抗原漂移和抗原变异,现有的疫苗和药物不能有效的控制该病毒感染.     

质粒介导的核衣壳蛋白siRNA干扰A型流感病毒复制的研究

A型流感病毒(Influenzavirus)属于正粘病毒科流感病毒属,可引起鸟类、多种禽类、人类和低等哺乳动物的严重疾病[1],该病毒基因组为负链单股RNA病毒,分8个节段,容易引起抗原漂移和抗原变异,现有的疫苗和药物不能有效的控制该病毒感染。RNA干扰是由双链RNA(dsRNA)引发的信使RNA(mRNA)序列特异性消减现象,是一种保守的抗病毒机制,已发现于线虫、植物和哺乳动物中[2]。自然发生的RNAi是由一种dsRNA特异的的核酸内切酶Dicer RDE1引发的,它将dsRNA切割成21～23nt的小分子干扰RNA片断(small interferenceRNA,siRNA),siRNA再与某…     

Hemagglutinin Stalk Immunity Reduces Influenza Virus Replication and Transmission in Ferrets

We assessed whether influenza virus hemagglutinin stalk-based immunity protects ferrets against aerosol-transmitted H1N1 influenza virus infection. Immunization of ferrets by a universal influenza virus vaccine strategy based on viral vectors expressing chimeric hemagglutinin constructs induced stalk-specific antibody responses. Stalk-immunized ferrets were cohoused with H1N1-infected ferrets under conditions that permitted virus transmission. Hemagglutinin stalk-immunized ferrets had lower viral titers and delayed or no virus replication at all following natural exposure to influenza virus.     

A型流感病毒RNA聚合酶及其对基因组复制和转录的调控作用

A型流感病毒是正粘病毒科成员,为单股负链分节段RNA病毒,全基因组由八个节段组成,分别编码八种结构蛋白(PB2、PB1、PA、HA、NP、NA、M1和M2)和两种非结构蛋白(NS1和NS2)。核蛋白(NP)和RNA聚合酶复合体与病毒的八个RNA节段组成八个螺旋丝状的病毒核衣壳(RNP),核衣壳被双层类脂膜包裹,脂膜内为基质蛋白(M1)层,膜上镶嵌着HA、NA和M2三种膜蛋白。HA和NA为流感病毒的主要抗原。根据HA和NA抗原性的差异,A型流感病毒可分16个HA亚型和9个NA亚型[1]。A型流感病毒具有广泛的宿主范围和超强的重组变异能力,对人类健康的威胁日趋…     

A型流感病毒RNA聚合酶及其对基因组复制和转录的调控作用

A型流感病毒是正粘病毒科成员,为单股负链分节段RNA病毒,全基因组由八个节段组成,分别编码八种结构蛋白(PB2、PB1、PA、HA、NP、NA、M1和M2)和两种非结构蛋白(NS1和NS2).核蛋白(NP)和RNA聚合酶复合体与病毒的八个RNA节段组成八个螺旋丝状的病毒核衣壳(RNP),核衣壳被双层类脂膜包裹,脂膜内为基质蛋白(M1)层,膜上镶嵌着HA、NA和M2三种膜蛋白.HA和NA为流感病毒的主要抗原.根据HA和NA抗原性的差异,A型流感病毒可分16个HA亚型和9个NA亚型[1].A型流感病毒具有广泛的宿主范围和超强的重组变异能力,对人类健康的威胁日趋严重,引起各国政府和科技工作者的广泛关注.研究RNA聚合酶的功能、揭示病毒复制和变异机理是目前抗流感病毒感染研究的热点之一.本文综述了流感病毒RNA聚合酶及其对病毒基因组复制和转录调控的研究进展.     

Inhibition of Influenza Virus Replication by Targeting Broad Host Cell Pathways

Antivirals that are currently used to treat influenza virus infections target components of the virus which can mutate rapidly. Consequently, there has been an increase in the number of resistant strains to one or many antivirals in recent years. Here we compared the antiviral effects of lysosomotropic alkalinizing agents (LAAs) and calcium modulators (CMs), which interfere with crucial events in the influenza virus replication cycle, against avian, swine, and human viruses of different subtypes in MDCK cells. We observed that treatment with LAAs, CMs, or a combination of both, significantly inhibited viral replication. Moreover, the drugs were effective even when they were administered 8 h after infection. Finally, analysis of the expression of viral acidic polymerase (PA) revealed that both drugs classes interfered with early events in the viral replication cycle. This study demonstrates that targeting broad host cellular pathways can be an efficient strategy to inhibit influenza replication. Furthermore, it provides an interesting avenue for drug development where resistance by the virus might be reduced since the virus is not targeted directly.     

Inhibition of Influenza Virus Replication by Phosphorothioate and Liposomally Endocapsulated Oligonucleotides

Abstract

We have demonstrated that antisense phosphorothioate oligonucleotides (S-ODNs) inhibit influenza virus A replication in MDCK cells. Phosphorothioate and liposomally encapsulated oligonucleotides with two target sites (PB1 and PB2) were synthesized and tested for virus-induced cytopathogenicity effects by a MTT assay using MDCK cells. The liposomally encapsulated S-ODNs complementary to the sites of the PB2-AUG initiation codon showed highly inhibitory effects. On the other hand, the inhibitory effect of the liposomally encapsulated S-ODNs targeted to PB1 was considerably decreased in comparison with the PB2 target sites. The liposomally encapsulated oligonucleotides exhibited higher inhibitory activity than the free oligonucleotides. The activities of the modified oligonucleotides are effectively enhanced by using the liposomal carrier.     

Binding of DC-SIGN to the Hemagglutinin of Influenza A Viruses Supports Virus Replication in DC-SIGN Expressing Cells

Dendritic cells express lectins receptors, like DC-SIGN, which allow these cells to sense glycans that are present on various bacterial and viral pathogens. Interaction of DC-SIGN with carbohydrate moieties induces maturation of dendritic cells and promotes endocytosis of pathogens which is an important property of these professional antigen presenting cells. Uptake of pathogens by dendritic cells may lead to cross-presentation of antigens or infection of these cells, which ultimately results in activation of virus-specific T cells in draining lymph nodes. Little is known about the interaction of DC-SIGN with influenza A viruses. Here we show that a virus with a non-functional receptor binding site in its hemagglutinin, can replicate in cells expressing DC-SIGN. Also in the absence of sialic acids, which is the receptor for influenza A viruses, these viruses replicate in DC-SIGN expressing cells including human dendritic cells. Furthermore, the efficiency of DC-SIGN mediated infection is dependent on the extent of glycosylation of the viral hemagglutinin.     

Acid Sensitivity of the Influenza Virus Hemagglutinin

Influenza virus hemagglutinin was shown to be acid resistant if precipitates which form during acidification are first removed. Adsorption of virus to precipitates formed during acidification may cause a virus to be described incorrectly as acid sensitive.     

Bacterial Neuraminidase Rescues Influenza Virus Replication from Inhibition by a Neuraminidase Inhibitor

Influenza virus neuraminidase (NA) cleaves terminal sialic acid residues on oligosaccharide chains that are receptors for virus binding, thus playing an important role in the release of virions from infected cells to promote the spread of cell-to-cell infection. In addition, NA plays a role at the initial stage of viral infection in the respiratory tract by degrading hemagglutination inhibitors in body fluid which competitively inhibit receptor binding of the virus. Current first line anti-influenza drugs are viral NA-specific inhibitors, which do not inhibit bacterial neuraminidases. Since neuraminidase producing bacteria have been isolated from oral and upper respiratory commensal bacterial flora, we posited that bacterial neuraminidases could decrease the antiviral effectiveness of NA inhibitor drugs in respiratory organs when viral NA is inhibited. Using in vitro models of infection, we aimed to clarify the effects of bacterial neuraminidases on influenza virus infection in the presence of the NA inhibitor drug zanamivir. We found that zanamivir reduced progeny virus yield to less than 2% of that in its absence, however the yield was restored almost entirely by the exogenous addition of bacterial neuraminidase from Streptococcus pneumoniae. Furthermore, cell-to-cell infection was severely inhibited by zanamivir but restored by the addition of bacterial neuraminidase. Next we examined the effects of bacterial neuraminidase on hemagglutination inhibition and infectivity neutralization activities of human saliva in the presence of zanamivir. We found that the drug enhanced both inhibitory activities of saliva, while the addition of bacterial neuraminidase diminished this enhancement. Altogether, our results showed that bacterial neuraminidases functioned as the predominant NA when viral NA was inhibited to promote the spread of infection and to inactivate the neutralization activity of saliva. We propose that neuraminidase from bacterial flora in patients may reduce the efficacy of NA inhibitor drugs during influenza virus infection. (295 words).     

Biogenesis of Influenza A Virus Hemagglutinin Cross-Protective Stem Epitopes

Antigenic variation in the globular domain of influenza A virus (IAV) hemagglutinin (HA) precludes effective immunity to this major human pathogen. Although the HA stem is highly conserved between influenza virus strains, HA stem-reactive antibodies (StRAbs) were long considered biologically inert. It is now clear, however, that StRAbs reduce viral replication in animal models and protect against pathogenicity and death, supporting the potential of HA stem-based immunogens as drift-resistant vaccines. Optimally designing StRAb-inducing immunogens and understanding StRAb effector functions require thorough comprehension of HA stem structure and antigenicity. Here, we study the biogenesis of HA stem epitopes recognized in cells infected with various drifted IAV H1N1 strains using mouse and human StRAbs. Using a novel immunofluorescence (IF)-based assay, we find that human StRAbs bind monomeric HA in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and trimerized HA in the Golgi complex (GC) with similar high avidity, potentially good news for producing effective monomeric HA stem immunogens. Though HA stem epitopes are nestled among several N-linked oligosaccharides, glycosylation is not required for full antigenicity. Rather, as N-linked glycans increase in size during intracellular transport of HA through the GC, StRAb binding becomes temperature-sensitive, binding poorly to HA at 4°C and well at 37°C. A de novo designed, 65-residue protein binds the mature HA stem independently of temperature, consistent with a lack of N-linked oligosaccharide steric hindrance due to its small size. Likewise, StRAbs bind recombinant HA carrying simple N-linked glycans in a temperature-independent manner. Chemical cross-linking experiments show that N-linked oligosaccharides likely influence StRAb binding by direct local effects rather than by globally modifying the conformational flexibility of HA. Our findings indicate that StRAb binding to HA is precarious, raising the possibility that sufficient immune pressure on the HA stem region could select for viral escape mutants with increased steric hindrance from N-linked glycans.