Diagnosis of influenza viruses with special reference to novel H1N1 2009 influenza virus

On 15 April and 17 April 2009, novel swineorigin influenza A (H1N1) virus was identifi ed in specimens obtained from two epidemiologically unlinked patients in the United States. The ongoing outbreak of novel H1N1 2009 influenza (swine influenza) has caused more than 3,99,232 laboratory confi rmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 and over 4735 deaths globally. This novel 2009 influenza virus designated as H1N1 A/swine/California/04/2009 virus is not zoonotic swine flu and is transmitted from person to person and has higher transmissibility then that of seasonal influenza viruses. In India the novel H1N1 virus infection has been reported from all over the country. A total of 68,919 samples from clinically suspected persons have been tested for influenza A H1N1 across the country and 13,330 (18.9%) of them have been found positive with 427 deaths. At the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi India, we tested 1096 clinical samples for the presence of novel H1N1 influenza virus and seasonal influenza viruses. Of these 1096 samples, 194 samples (17.7%) were positive for novel H1N1 influenza virus and 197 samples (18%) were positive for seasonal influenza viruses. During outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases accurate and rapid diagnosis is critical for minimizing further spread through timely implementation of appropriate vaccines and antiviral treatment. Since the symptoms of novel H1N1 influenza infection are not specifi c, laboratory confi rmation of suspected cases is of prime importance.     

Selenium deficiency alters epithelial cell morphology and responses to influenza

It is unknown whether nutritional deficiencies affect the morphology and function of structural cells, such as epithelial cells, and modify the susceptibility to viral infections. We developed an in vitro system of differentiated human bronchial epithelial cells (BEC) grown either under selenium-adequate (Se+) or selenium-deficient (Se–) conditions, to determine whether selenium deficiency impairs host defense responses at the level of the epithelium. Se– BECs had normal SOD activity, but decreased activity of the selenium-dependent enzyme GPX1. Interestingly, catalase activity was also decreased in Se– BECs. Both Se– and Se+ BECs differentiated into a mucociliary epithelium; however, Se– BEC demonstrated increased mucus production and increased Muc5AC mRNA levels. This effect was also seen in Se+ BEC treated with 3-aminotriazole, an inhibitor of catalase activity, suggesting an association between catalase activity and mucus production. Both Se– and Se+ were infected with influenza A/Bangkok/1/79 and examined 24 h postinfection. Influenza-induced IL-6 production was greater while influenza-induced IP-10 production was lower in Se– BECs. In addition, influenza-induced apoptosis was greater in Se– BEC as compared to the Se+ BECs. These data demonstrate that selenium deficiency has a significant impact on the morphology and influenza-induced host defense responses in human airway epithelial cells.     

A型流感病毒NS1与突触后密度蛋白-95的相互作用

目的 A型流感病毒NS1蛋白是一种多功能的致病因子,能够与被感染细胞中的多种蛋白相互结合,影响并干扰宿主细胞内的信号转导、蛋白质合成及抗病毒反应。突触后密度蛋白(Postsynaptic density protein95,PSD-95)主要存在于神经元及SH-SY-5Y等神经来源的细胞株中。假设NS1能够与PSD-95结合,则更有利于了解A型流感病毒对神经元及相关细胞的作用机制。方法通过酵母双杂交,GST-pull down及免疫荧光技术分别从体外和体内两方面检测NS1与PSD-95的相互作用。结果酵母双杂交表明,仅转染PGAD-NS51/PGBK-PSD-95的QDO有菌落生长,且α-半乳糖苷酶活性显著高于阳性对照;而转染PGAD-NS32/PGBK-PSD-95的QDO无菌落生长;GST-pull down表明仅NS51与PSD-95孵育后,能够被Western-blot检测到;免疫荧光表明NS51与PSD-95可能存在共定位,而NS32与PSD-95则不存在共定位。结论 H5N1(A/chicken/Guangdong/1/2005)的NS1能够与PSD-95结合;反之,H3N2(A/Shantou/602/06)的NS1则不能。     

Plasma proteomic analysis of patients infected with H1N1 influenza virus

This study profiled the plasma proteins of patients infected by the 2011 H1N1 influenza virus. Differential protein expression was identified in plasma obtained from noninfected control subjects (n = 15) and H1N1‐infected subjects (n = 15). Plasma proteins were separated by a 2DE large gel system and identified by nano‐ultra performance LC‐MS. Western blot assays were performed to validate proteins. Eight plasma proteins were upregulated and six proteins were downregulated among 3316 plasma proteins in the H1N1‐infected group as compared with the control group. Of 14 up‐ and downregulated proteins, nine plasma proteins were validated by Western blot analysis. Putative protein FAM 157A, leucine‐rich alpha 2 glycoprotein, serum amyloid A protein, and dual oxidase 1 showed significant differential expression. The identified plasma proteins could be potential candidates for biomarkers of H1N1 influenza viral infection. Further studies are needed to develop these proteins as diagnostic biomarkers.     

Nrf2 protects human alveolar epithelial cells against injury induced by influenza A virus

Background

Influenza A virus (IAV) infection primarily targets respiratory epithelial cells and produces clinical outcomes ranging from mild upper respiratory infection to severe pneumonia. Recent studies have shown the importance of lung antioxidant defense systems against injury by IAV. Nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) activates the majority of antioxidant genes.

Methods

Alveolar type II (ATII) cells and alveolar macrophages (AM) were isolated from human lungs not suitable for transplantation and donated for medical research. In some studies ATII cells were transdifferentiated to alveolar type I-like (ATI-like) cells. Alveolar epithelial cells were infected with A/PR/8/34 (PR8) virus. We analyzed PR8 virus production, influenza A nucleoprotein levels, ROS generation and expression of antiviral genes. Immunocytofluorescence was used to determine Nrf2 translocation and western blotting to detect Nrf2, HO-1 and caspase 1 and 3 cleavage. We also analyzed ingestion of PR8 virus infected apoptotic ATII cells by AM, cytokine levels by ELISA, glutathione levels, necrosis and apoptosis by TUNEL assay. Moreover, we determined the critical importance of Nrf2 using adenovirus Nrf2 (AdNrf2) or Nrf2 siRNA to overexpress or knockdown Nrf2, respectively.

Results

We found that IAV induced oxidative stress, cytotoxicity and apoptosis in ATI-like and ATII cells. We also found that AM can ingest PR8 virus-induced apoptotic ATII cells (efferocytosis) but not viable cells, whereas ATII cells did not ingest these apoptotic cells. PR8 virus increased ROS production, Nrf2, HO-1, Mx1 and OAS1 expression and Nrf2 translocation to the nucleus. Nrf2 knockdown with siRNA sensitized ATI-like cells and ATII cells to injury induced by IAV and overexpression of Nrf2 with AdNrf2 protected these cells. Furthermore, Nrf2 overexpression followed by infection with PR8 virus decreased virus replication, influenza A nucleoprotein expression, antiviral response and oxidative stress. However, AdNrf2 did not increase IFN-λ1 (IL-29) levels.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that IAV induces alveolar epithelial injury and that Nrf2 protects these cells from the cytopathic effects of IAV likely by increasing the expression of antioxidant genes. Identifying the pathways involved in protecting cells from injury during influenza infection may be particularly important for developing new therapeutic strategies.     

重配技术构建高产H1N1型流感疫苗病毒株

目的以经典重配技术制备高产H1N1流感疫苗病毒株。方法以野生型A1/云南昆明/03/2009(H1N1)作为HA及NA基因的供体株,以WHO疫苗株A/Perth/16/2009(H3N2)作为高产基因供体株,共同感染SPF鸡胚,经抗H3及抗N2血清中和筛选法及终末稀释法筛选高产重配H1N1病毒。结果获得一株重配H1N1流感病毒株,病毒血凝滴度为1∶4 096,病毒滴度为7.8 lg EID50/mL,显示为鸡胚高产病毒株;血凝抑制结果为1∶1 024,单向免疫扩散试验结果为阳性,证明抗原性与野生株一致;基因测序结果表明重配株的HA及NA基因序列与野生株序列一致。结论构建了高产重配H1H1流感疫苗病毒株,并应用经典重配技术建立了制备高产流感疫苗病毒株的技术平台。     

Promoted cell death of cells expressing human MxA by influenza virus infection

Interferon-inducible MxA protein plays a crucial role in cellular protection from RNA virus infection, although the protection mechanism is not completely clarified. Here, we examined effects of MxA on either uninfected or influenza virus A/PR/8/34-infected cells. Viral protein synthesis was reduced in cells expressing MxA. Under serum-starved conditions, not only viral but also cellular protein synthesis was reduced by expression of MxA. Of interest is that MxA promoted cell death induced by apoptotic stimuli as well as influenza virus infection. These results lead to a possibility that MxA suppresses multiplication of influenza virus by affecting cellular functions including the apoptotic pathway.     

Search for additional influenza virus to cell interactions

Sialyl oligosaccharides have long been considered to be the sole receptors for influenza virus. However, according to [1] some viruses are able to grow in sialic-free MDCK cells. Here we attempted to reveal a possible second, non-sialic receptor, hypothesizing the involvement of additional carbohydrate lectin recognition in influenza virus reception process, first of all in situations when a lectin of the host cell could recognize the viral carbohydrate ligand. We tested the presence of galactose- and sialic acid-binding lectins, as well as mannoside- and sulfo-N-acetyllactosamine-recognizing properties of MDCK and Vero cells using polyacrylamide neoglycoconjugates and antibodies. MDCK cells bind galactoside probes stronger than Vero cells, whereas Vero cells bind preferentially sialoside, mannoside and various sulfo-oligosaccharide probes. The probing of viruses with the neoglycoconjugates revealed specific 6′-HSO ₃ LacNAc (but not other sulfated oligosaccharides) binding property of A and B human strains. Affinity of 6′-HSO ₃ LacNAc probe was comparable with affinity of 6′-SiaLac probe but the binding was not inhibited by the sialooligosaccharide.     

A型流感病毒PB1-F2蛋白与MOAP-1的相互作用

【目的】探讨A型流感病毒PB1-F2蛋白和人类凋亡调节因子1(MOAP-1)之间的相互作用。【方法】构建pACT2-MOAP-1重组质粒,与pGBKT7-PB1-F2质粒共转化酵母AH109,检测转化菌在四缺培养基的生长情况及β半乳糖苷酶报告基因的活性;利用GST pull-down和免疫共沉淀(Co-IP)技术进一步验证PB1-F2与宿主细胞蛋白MOAP-1的相互作用;通过过表达PB1-F2和MOAP-1,检测PB1-F2对MOAP-1蛋白表达水平的影响。【结果】酵母双杂交结果表明,PB1-F2和MOAP-1可以在酵母细胞内特异性结合。GST pull-down和Co-IP实验也进一步证实了这两种蛋白的相互作用,而且PB1-F2可上调外源MOAP-1的蛋白水平。【结论】流感病毒PB1-F2与MOAP-1存在相互作用,PB1-F2可能通过与MOAP-1的相互作用参与调控细胞生长及凋亡过程。     

MicroRNA-146a modulates human bronchial epithelial cell survival in response to the cytokine-induced apoptosis

MicroRNA plays an important role in cell differentiation, proliferation and cell death. The current study found that miRNA-146a was up-regulated in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) in response to stimulation by TGF-ß1 plus cytomix (a mixture of IL-1ß, IFN-γ and TNF-α). TGF-ß1 plus cytomix (TCM) induced apoptosis in HBECs (3.4 ± 0.6% of control vs 83.1 ± 4.0% of TCM treated cells, p < 0.01), and this was significantly blocked by the miRNA-146a mimic (8.8 ± 1.5%, p < 0.01). In contrast, a miRNA-146a inhibitor had only a modest effect on cell survival but appeared to augment the induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in response to the cytokines. The MicroRNA-146a mimic appears to modulate HBEC survival through a mechanism of up-regulating Bcl-XL and STAT3 phosphorylation, and by this mechanism it could contribute to tissue repair and remodeling.     

miR26a和miR939调控H1N1型流感病毒在MDCK细胞中的复制

摘要：【目的】研究发现microRNAs（miRNAs）可以参与调控病毒在宿主细胞内感染和复制的过程。作者研究了两条miRNAs对H1N1型流感病毒在宿主细胞内复制的影响。【方法】构建miR26a和miR939的高效表达载体,并将这两种表达载体转入MDCK细胞中,24 h后用H1N1型流感病毒感染转染后的MDCK (Madin dardy canine kidney) 细胞,接种72 h后,检测流感病毒的复制情况,研究miR26a和miR939对H1N1型流感病毒在MDCK细胞内复制的影响。【结果】实验结果表明,miRNAs的表达载体可以在细胞内高效表达miRNAs,不同的miRNAs对流感病毒在MDCK细胞中复制的调控作用不同, miR26a可以有效抑制流感病毒在MDCK细胞中的复制,而miR939则促进流感病毒在MDCK细胞中的复制的作用。【结论】细胞内miRNAs可以调控H1N1型流感病毒在宿主细胞中的复制过程,本文首次报导miR26a和miR939在流感病毒复制过程中的调控作用。     

跨膜蛋白CD82在流感病毒感染初期的表达

了解细胞跨膜蛋白CD82在流感病毒感染初期的表达变化,分析CD82在流感病毒感染中的作用。

采用逆转录−聚合酶链式反应（RT-PCR）方法对流感病毒感染4 h内的HEP-2细胞中CD82蛋白mRNA表达量进行检测。

流感病毒感染HEP-2细胞后1 h−3 h细胞 CD82的mRNA表达量降低,并且随着流感病毒接种量增加CD82表达量降低持续时间延长。

流感病毒可以在转录水平调节宿主细胞CD82的表达。CD82在流感病毒感染初期表达下降,提示CD82可能在流感病毒与宿主细胞粘附和入侵过程中发挥作用。

     

N-乙酰半胱氨酸体外对流感病毒H1N1的抑制作用

目的探讨N-乙酰半胱氨酸（N—acetylcysteine,NAC）在体外对流感病毒H1N1的抑制作用。方法采用MTT法、鸡胚接种法和免疫荧光法,观察NAC对流感病毒HlM的抑制作用。采用血球凝集试验、神经氨酸酶活性抑制试验和透射电镜负染技术,初步探讨NAC对流感病毒HlM的抑制机制。结果NAC在MDCK细胞上的最大无毒剂量是6．25mg／mL;流感病毒H1Nl在MDCK细胞上的半数致死感染浓度（TCID-50）为1012-2.25／100μ;在三种作用途径下（治疗性给药、预防性给药和直接灭活后给药）,NAC明显抑制了流感病毒HlNl对MDCK细胞的感染,细胞存活率分别为91．88％、93．21％、94．67％,在对照组,流感病毒H1N1感染后的细胞存活率为28．32％,两者相比差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;免疫荧光结果显示,与病毒对照组形成的强特异性荧光相比,三种作用途径感染MDCK细胞后的特异性荧光明显减弱;鸡胚培养法的结果显示,NAC明显抑制了流感病毒H1N1在鸡胚内的增殖,实验组血凝效价低于1：2,对照组血凝效价为1：1024;神经氨酸酶活性抑制试验和透射电镜的结果显示,NAC能够明显抑制流感病毒川N1的神经氨酸酶活性,对流感病毒H1N1的病毒体结构也有明显的破坏作用。结论NAC在体外对流感病毒川N1有明显的抑制作用,其抑制机制可能与NAC对流感病毒血凝素和神经氨酸酶活性抑制及病毒体的直接破坏有关。     

Functional association between influenza A (H1N1) virus and human

Influenza A (H1N1) virus is a severe threat worldwide. It is important to gain a better understanding of the mechanism of the infection. In the paper, we established a computational framework to investigate the crosstalk between the virus and the host, by finding out the proteins that the virus is attacking. The targeted proteins were predicted by taking human proteins laid on the same GO functions or processes as the virus proteins. One hundred and one core proteins were identified. The results provide some knowledge of the possible biological processes and molecular interactions caused by the viral infection, including the host responses.     

一株2011年出现的季节性甲型H1N1流行性感冒病毒血凝素基因特性的研究

本文通过比较2011年分离培养的1株季节性甲型H1N1流行性感冒(简称流感)病毒(A/Shanghai/1167/2011(H1N1))与历年季节性甲型H1N1流感病毒的血凝素(HA)基因,追溯该病毒的基因变异与来源,探讨该毒株的出现对流感防控工作的意义.采用反转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)方法扩增病毒的HA和神经氨酸酶(NA)片段,并进行测序;应用分子生物学软件对获得的序列进行分析,绘制基因进化树;同时,通过血凝抑制试验检测2011年下半年健康人群中该流感病毒的抗体水平.结果显示,A/Shanghai/1167/2011(H1N1)的HA基因序列与世界卫生组织(WHO)2007～2008年季节性甲型H1N1流感病毒疫苗株A/Brisbane/59/2007(H1N1)最接近,同源性达99.2%,与新型甲型H1N1流感病毒A/California/07/2009疫苗株同源性仅为72.4%.其HA基因裂解位点为PSIQSR↓GLF,尚未出现高致病性的分子特征.HA片段共编码557个氨基酸,有9个潜在的糖基化位点,序列与2009年前WHO疫苗株A/NewCaledonia/20/1999(H1N1)、A/SolomonIslands/3/2006(H1N1)和/Brisbane/59/2007(H1N1)相比,分别有15、12和4处不同,这些差异分布在Sa、Sb、Ca1、Ca2、Cb 5个抗原决定簇的氨基酸差异分别有5、5和2处.该毒株在健康人群血清的抗体阳性率为34.33%,几何平均效价(GMT)为10.38.A/Shanghai/1167/2011(H1N1)是2011年出现在上海地区的一个季节性甲型H1N1流感病毒毒株,其抗原变异与既往季节性甲型H1N1流感病毒相比不大,但在以A(H1N1)pdm09为主要流行株的年份检测到散在发生的既往季节性甲型H1N1流感病毒毒株应当引起重视,其在人群中的抗体水平较低,易引起流行,需要提高对类流感人群中此种毒株的持续监测.     

流感病毒在Vero细胞系与MDCK细胞系增殖条件的比较

目的研究流感病毒H1N1及其他亚型在Vero细胞系和MDCK细胞系高效增殖的最适条件,比较两种细胞系对流感病毒的敏感性差异及影响敏感性差异的条件。方法在培养好的Vero细胞系与MDCK细胞系用不同的病毒感染复数(M.O.I)、胰酶浓度、病毒吸附时间、病毒维持液血清质量浓度等条件进行流感病毒在细胞上的增殖。结果在M.O.I为0.01接种流感病毒,吸附时间为1 h,胰酶质量浓度2μg/mL,血清质量浓度为8%时,流感病毒血凝素在MDCK细胞系可获得较高的滴度。结论 MDCK细胞系是适于流感病毒培养的细胞,它作为生产新型流感病毒疫苗的主要细胞基质需要进一步的研究。     

Novel pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus infection modulates apoptotic pathways that impact its replication in A549 cells

It is not well-known whether apoptosis signaling affects influenza virus infection and reproduction in human lung epithelial cells. Using A549 cell line, we studied the relationship of some apoptosis-associated molecules with novel pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus, A/California/04/2009. Infected cells displayed upregulated Fas ligand, activated FADD and caspase-8, and downregulated FLIP in the extrinsic apoptotic pathway. p53 expression increased and Bcl-X_L expression decreased in the intrinsic pathway. Expression of pre-apoptotic molecules (FasL, FADD, and p53) increased virus replication, while inhibition of activity of FADD, caspase-8 and caspase-3, and expression of anti-apoptotic proteins (FLIP and Bcl-X_L) decreased virus replication. p38, ERK and JNK from MAPK pathways were activated in infected cells, and inhibition with their inhibitors diminished virus replication. In the p38 superfamily, p38α expression increased viral RNA production, while expression of p38β and p38γ decreased. These data indicated that influenza virus induces apoptotic signaling pathways, which benefit virus replication.     

Role of apoptosis and cytokines in influenza virus morbidity

Influenza virus is a major human pathogen that causes epidemics and pandemics with increased morbidity and, especially in the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions, increased mortality. Influenza is characterised by respiratory symptoms and constitutional symptoms. Whilst knowledge of the mechanisms underlying host and tissue specificity has advanced considerably of late we still know relatively little about other aspects of influenza virus virulence. In this review, we will explore what is known about the role of apoptosis in respiratory epithelial cell damage and the role of cytokines in inflammation and constitutional symptoms with particular emphasis on the link between apoptosis, inflammation, fever and cytokine production.