Proteomic and metabonomic analysis uncovering Enterovirus A71 reprogramming host cell metabolic pathway

Enterovirus A71 (EV71) infection can cause hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) and severe neurological complications in children. However, the biological processes regulated by EV71 remain poorly understood. Herein, proteomics and metabonomics studies were conducted to uncover the mechanism of EV71 infection in rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells and identify potential drug targets. Differential expressed proteins from enriched membrane were analyzed by isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ)-based proteomics technology. Twenty-six differential proteins with 1.5-fold (p < 0.05) change were detected, including 14 upregulated proteins and 12 downregulated proteins. The upregulated proteins are mainly involved in metabolic process, especially in the glycolysis pathway. Alpha-enolase (ENO1) protein was found to increase with temporal dependence following EV71 infection. The targeted metabolomics analysis revealed that glucose absorption and glycolysis metabolites were increased after EV71 infection. The glycolysis pathway was inhibited by knocking down ENO1 or the use of a glycolysis inhibitor (dichloroacetic acid [DCA]); and we found that EV71 infection was inhibited by depleting ENO1 or using DCA. Our study indicates that EV71 may reprogram glucose metabolism by activating glycolysis, and EV71 infection can be inhibited by interrupting the glycolysis pathway. ENO1 may be a potential target against EV71, and DCA could act as an inhibitor of EV71.     

Replication kinetics of coxsackievirus A16 in human rhabdomyosarcoma cells

Coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16), together with enterovirus type 71 (EV71), is responsible for most cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) worldwide. Recent findings suggest that the recombination between CVA16 and EV71, and the co-circulation of these two viruses may have contributed to the increase of HFMD cases in China over the past few years. It is therefore important to further understand the virology, epidemiology, virus-host interactions and host pathogenesis of CVA16. In this study, we describe the viral kinetics of CVA16 in human rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells by analyzing the cytopathic effect (CPE), viral RNA replication, viral protein expression, viral RNA package and viral particle secretion in RD cells. We show that CVA16 appears to first attach, uncoat and enter into the host cell after adsorption for 1 h. Later on, CVA16 undergoes rapid replication from 3 to 6 h at MOI 1 and until 9 h at MOI 0.1. At MOI 0.1, CVA16 initiates a secondary infection as the virions were secreted before 9 h p.i. CPE was observed after 12 h p.i., and viral antigen was first detected at 6 h p.i. at MOI 1 and at 9 h p.i. at MOI 0.1. Thus, our study provides important information for further investigation of CVA16 in order to better understand and ultimately control infections with this virus.     

肠道病毒71型在RD细胞和Vero细胞中的增殖动力学特征

目的:利用噬斑法比较肠道病毒71型(EV71)在RD细胞和Vero细胞中的增殖动力学特征。方法:首先探讨培养基类型、羟乙基哌嗪乙磺酸(HEPES)、胎牛血清(FBS)、牛血清白蛋白(BSA)及甲基纤维素(MC)含量对EV71噬斑形成的影响,得到最适营养覆盖物配比;进一步,EV71以感染复数(MOI)为0.1分别接种RD细胞和Vero细胞,收集接种后不同时间点的细胞培养液,噬斑法测定各时间点培养液上清中的病毒滴度,并绘制log2(病毒滴度)-时间图,对比分析EV71在2种细胞中的增殖动力学特征。结果:终浓度含1%MC和2%FBS的MEM(1×)或DMEM(1×)为EV71噬斑形成的最适营养覆盖物;EV71在RD细胞和Vero细胞中的增殖周期均约为12 h,MOI=0.1时,EV71在RD细胞中的增殖活动较Vero细胞中活跃,增殖效率比Vero细胞中高2个数量级。结论:用RD细胞扩增EV71比Vero细胞更具优势。     

EV71 3C protease cleaves host anti-viral factor OAS3 and enhances virus replication

The global spread of enteroviruses (EVs) has become more frequent, severe and life-threatening. Intereron (IFN) I has been proved to control EVs by regulating IFN-stimulated genes (ISG) expression. 20-50-oligoadenylate synthetases 3 (OAS3) is an important ISG in the OAS/RNase L antiviral system. The relationship between OAS3 and EVs is still unclear. Here, we reveal that OAS3, superior to OAS1 and OAS2, significantly inhibited EV71 replication in vitro. However, EV71 utilized autologous 3C protease (3C^pro) to cleave intracellular OAS3 and enhance viral replication. Rupintrivir, a human rhinovirus 3C protease inhibitor, completely abolished the cleavage of EV71 3C^pro on OAS3. And the proteolytically deficient mutants H40G, E71A, and C147G of EV71 3C^pro also lost the ability of OAS3 cleavage. Mechanistically, the Q982-G983 motif in C-terminal of OAS3 was identified as a crucial 3C^pro cutting site. Further investigation indicated that OAS3 inhibited not only EV71 but also Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3), Coxsackievirus A16 (CA16), Enterovirus D68 (EVD68), and Coxsackievirus A6 (CA6) subtypes. Notably, unlike other four subtypes, CA16 3C^pro could not cleave OAS3. Two key amino acids variation Ile36 and Val86 in CA16 3C^pro might result in weak and delayed virus replication of CA16 because of failure of OAS and 3AB cleavage. Our works elucidate the broad anti-EVs function of OAS3, and illuminate a novel mechanism by which EV71 use 3C^pro to escape the antiviral effect of OAS3. These findings can be an important entry point for developing novel therapeutic strategies for multiple EVs infection.     

Enterovirus 71 disrupts interferon signaling by reducing the level of interferon receptor 1

The recent outbreak of enterovirus 71 (EV71) infected millions of children and caused over 1,000 deaths. To date, neither an effective vaccine nor antiviral treatment is available for EV71 infection. Interferons (IFNs) have been successfully applied to treat patients with hepatitis B and C viral infections for decades but have failed to treat EV71 infections. Here, we provide the evidence that EV71 antagonizes type I IFN signaling by reducing the level of interferon receptor 1 (IFNAR1). We show that the host cells could sense EV71 infection and stimulate IFN-β production. However, the induction of downstream IFN-stimulated genes is inhibited by EV71. Also, only a slight interferon response and antiviral effects could be detected in cells treated with recombinant type I IFNs after EV71 infection. Further studies reveal that EV71 blocks the IFN-mediated phosphorylation of STAT1, STAT2, Jak1, and Tyk2 by reducing IFNAR1. Finally, we identified the 2A protease encoded by EV71 as an antagonist of IFNs and show that the protease activity is required for reducing IFNAR1 levels. Taken together, our study for the first time uncovers a mechanism used by EV71 to antagonize type I IFN signaling and provides new targets for future antiviral strategies.     

EV71与CA16双价灭活疫苗诱导小鼠免疫原性研究

目的评价EV71和CA16双价灭活疫苗免疫小鼠诱导的体液免疫和细胞免疫应答。方法分别应用EV71和CA16双价疫苗、EV71和CA16单价疫苗按单针、两针(0,14 d)的程序免疫小鼠,采用细胞病变法检测血清第1针免疫后21 d时中和抗体效价,应用LUMINEX液相芯片技术检测小鼠脾单个核细胞体外经抗原刺激分泌细胞因子的水平。结果双价疫苗与EV71单价疫苗单针、两针免疫相比,EV71中和抗体几何平均值相近(118.8∶84.0;159.5∶156.8,P0.05)。双价疫苗与CA16单价疫苗单针免疫诱导的CA16中和抗体均为阴性;两针免疫CA16中和抗体几何平均值一致(30.0∶26.9,P0.05)。加强免疫7 d后,小鼠脾MNC经EV71抗原刺激,双价疫苗较EV71单价疫苗诱导Th2类细胞因子IL-4、5、6、10和炎症因子TNF-α的分泌水平显著增高(P=0.020,P=0.027,P=0.038,P=0.019,P=0.026);MNC经CA16抗原刺激,双价疫苗与CA16单价疫苗相比诱导细胞因子水平差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论双价疫苗可诱导与单价疫苗相似的中和抗体应答水平,并可提高Th2类细胞因子应答,研究为EV71和CA16双价灭活疫苗的研发提供了实验依据。     

MA104 Cell line presents characteristics suitable for enterovirus A71 isolation and proliferation

Enterovirus A71 (EV‐A71), one of the most important causative agents of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in children, can lead to severe clinical outcomes, even death. However, the infection spectrum of EV‐A71 in different cell lines remains unknown. Therefore, in this study, the biological characteristics of EV‐A71 Subgroup C4 in different cell lines were investigated. To this end, the infectivity of EV‐A71Jinan1002 isolated from children with severe HFMD was assessed in 18 different host cell lines. It was found that the MA104 cell line displayed biological characteristics suitable for EV‐A71 Subgroup C4 strain isolation and proliferation; indeed, it was found that a broad spectrum of cell lines can be infected by EV‐A71Jinan1002. Among the screened cells, four cell lines (HEK293, RD, MA104 and Marc145) produced high 50% tissue culture infective dose (TCID₅₀) values calculated in viral proliferations (ranged from 10^7.6 to 10^7.8); the TCID₅₀ being negatively associated with the time to appearance of CPE. Proliferation curves demonstrated that EV‐A71Jinan1002 amplifies more efficiently in MA104, Hep‐2 and RD cells. Remarkably, the virus isolation rate was much higher in MA104 cells than in RD cells. Thus this study, to our knowledge, is for the first to explore the infection spectrum of EV‐A71 subgroup C4 in such a large number of different cell lines. Our data provide useful reference data for facilitating further study of EV‐A71.     

肠道病毒71型北京分离株VP4基因序列及蛋白抗原性分析

为探讨肠道病毒71型(EV71)VP4基因序列与手足口病(HFMD)不同临床类型之间的关系,分析重组蛋白EV71 VP4的抗原性,并初步探讨其与柯萨奇病毒A16(CA16)重组蛋白VP4是否存在交叉反应性,对2007~2009年从北京患HFMD儿童标本分离到的10株EV71的VP4基因进行克隆测序,运用生物学软件对测序结果进行比较分析,并选择其中1株与1株同期分离的CA16的VP4分别进行原核表达;用表达产物对189份正常体检的成人及来首都儿科研究所就医的非HFMD患儿血清中的IgG进行Western Blot检测,并分析14份确诊为EV71感染和12份CA16感染患者急性期血清中的IgM抗体。分析表明这10株EV71 VP4基因核苷酸同源性为94.20%~100.00%,所推导的氨基酸序列则完全相同,从重症与轻症患儿分离的毒株之间VP4的核苷酸序列未见一致性的差异,基于EV71 VP4基因核苷酸序列的进化树分析表明2007~2009年北京地区所流行的毒株均属于C4亚型;本研究中EV71和CA16的VP4核苷酸序列的同源性为69.60%,所推导的氨基酸序列的同源性为78.60%,在运用Western Blot检测189份血清中的VP4特异性IgG时,EV71 VP4的血清阳性率为38.10%,说明其具有良好的抗原性,CA16 VP4的血清阳性率为58.20%,两者差别具有显著统计学意义(2χ=15.30,P<0.01),提示EV71 VP4与CA16 VP4没有交叉反应性;在用表达的VP4检测已确诊为相应病毒的特异性IgM时,两者皆为阴性,提示感染后机体对VP1和VP4产生不同的反应。     

EV71小鼠适应株制备及体内外感染特点

目的用1日龄ICR小鼠传代制备EV71小鼠适应株,研究EV71亲代株与小鼠适应株的体内外感染特点,建立EV71感染ICR小鼠动物模型,为病毒疫苗和抗病毒药物的研究提供实用的动物评价工具。方法用1日龄ICR小鼠进行EV71病毒(Fuyang-0805)的传代,得到小鼠传代株。以一定浓度亲代株和传代株病毒分别接种RD、Vero、SY5Y、Caco-2四种细胞,定量方法检测各时间点不同毒株在四种细胞上的复制数量,CCK8方法测定各时间点细胞的存活率;同时,两毒株分别腹腔注射感染1日龄小鼠,定期安乐死动物,采集肺、小肠、骨骼肌、大脑四种器官组织,进行动物体内病毒半定量和定量分析,同时进行各器官组织病理学观察、免疫组织化学鉴定。结果与亲代毒株相比较,小鼠传代株(EV71-MMP4)表现出更强的肌肉来源细胞嗜性与毒性;同时,两毒株腹腔注射感染1日龄小鼠后,EV71-MMP4感染的小鼠体重增长较正常小鼠体重增长缓慢;半定量和定量RT-PCR显示,在小鼠肌肉中的病毒载量于感染后1d和5d达到高峰。EV71-MMP4感染组感染率较高、病毒组织分布较广、感染持续性较好、病毒载量较高,高剂量病毒感染后小鼠小肠、心肌和骨骼肌可观察到细胞空泡变性、淋巴细胞浸润等病理变化。免疫组织化学显示感染后小鼠骨骼肌有EV71病毒特异分布。结论阜阳EV71小鼠适应株表现出较亲代毒株更好的小鼠易感性、细胞毒性,所建立的动物模型可用于EV71病毒致病机制、感染特点的研究和病毒疫苗及药物的评价。     

内标多重荧光RT-PCR同时检测肠道病毒71型和柯萨奇病毒A16型

【目的】为对当前爆发的手足口病进行快速准确的检测, 【方法】本研究建立了含内标的同时检测EV71和CA16的多重荧光RT-PCR方法,对该方法的特异性、灵敏度等进行评估,并对400多份临床样品进行了检测。【结果】实验结果表明,该检测方法特异性强,对10株EV71病毒、8株CA16病毒和25株其他人类病毒进行了检测,特异性为100%;该检测方法对EV71和CA16的检测灵敏度分别达到0.1 TCID50和1 TCID50;将0.1-104TCID50/ml EV71和CA16样本进行重复性实验,其变异系数分别为0.9-2.0%和0.9-2.3%。对400多份临床样品分别进行荧光RT-PCR检测和传统方法检测,结果显示,荧光RT-PCR对EV71和CA16的阳性检出率平均为46.1%和14.2%,比传统方法（34.5%和12.8%）的阳性检测率高。另外,实验数据显示,在粪便、直肠拭子、咽喉拭子样本中,PCR抑制物存在的比例为1.8%-3.4%,表明内标对监控PCR抑制物的存在具有重要作用。【结论】本方法能同时对EV71和CA16进行快速检测,并且灵敏度高,特异性好,由于加入了内标,能有效地监控假阴性的出现,适合于手足口病的临床检测。     

MEK1/2抑制剂U0126抑制肠道病毒71型的复制

为了揭示肠道病毒71型(enterovirus71,EV71)的复制与宿主细胞Raf/MEK/ERK信号通路(简称ERK通路)的相互关系,本研究应用临床诊断为手足口病的患儿疱疹液,通过易感细胞分离培养、RT-PCR及序列测定,以及Western印迹技术等方法,成功分离到EV71临床株.进一步用该分离株感染易感细胞,通过观察宿主细胞p-ERK1/2蛋白磷酸化水平、病毒特异性衣壳蛋白VP1水平、病毒半数组织培养感染量(50%tissue culture infectious dose,TCID50),以及感染细胞的CPE等指标,以期揭示ERK通路在EV71复制的作用.结果表明,EV71的复制可引起细胞ERK通路的活化;而用MEK1/2特异性的抑制剂U0126预先抑制ERK通路的活化,可显著地降低受染细胞上清液中的病毒的感染滴度(以TCID50表示)、受染细胞中EV71VP1蛋白水平、受染细胞中EV71核酸水平,以及受染细胞的细胞病变效应(cytopathic effect,CPE).提示ERK信号通路的活化对EV71的复制具有重要的作用.本研究为进一步阐明EV71在宿主细胞内的复制机制、寻找新型抗病毒靶标等研究奠定了良好的基础.     

2011—2016年上海地区手足口病病原谱及柯萨奇病毒A组6型不同基因型感染细胞的差异研究

本文旨在分析2011—2016年上海地区手足口病病原谱的构成和主要病原体流行规律,为手足口病的疫情防控和重症预警提供参考。采集2011—2016年哨点医院临床诊断为手足口病的患儿标本,首先进行肠道病毒通用型核酸和分型检测,其次对2012—2016年核酸检测为柯萨奇病毒A组6型(coxsackievirus A6,CA6)阳性样本进行基因型重组检测,分离重组型和非重组型CA6株,比较两者生物学特性。结果显示,2011—2012年秋季上海地区手足口病主要致病原为肠道病毒71型(enterovirus type 71,EV71)和CA16;2012年秋季起CA6成为主要病原体;2013—2014年重组型CA6(recombinant CA6,R CA6)占一定比例;2015—2016年非重组型CA6(non-recombinant CA6,NR CA6)成为优势流行株。R CA6和NR CA6代表株在RD细胞中增殖良好,在KB、MRC-5和HEp-2细胞中未见明显增殖。比较R CA6与NR CA6代表株接种于RD细胞后细胞活性下降的动态变化,未见显著差异。本研究证实,CA6为近年来上海地区手足口病的主要病原体,R CA6和NR CA6的构成比逐年变化,提示持续监测手足口病主要病原体并了解其生物学特性,对上海地区手足口病的防控预警及疫苗研发具有重要意义。     

新型病毒衣壳结合剂哌嗪新衍生物抑制肠道病毒71型的复制

目的 研究哌嗪新衍生物体外对肠道病毒71型（EV71）的抑制作用。方法 培养EV71感染的人横纹肌肉瘤RD细胞,建立体外病毒感染模型,将哌嗪新衍生物作用于RD细胞,通过Western blot、Real-time PCR和病毒滴度检测细胞内EV71病毒蛋白和mRNA的表达水平及培养基上清中子代病毒颗粒的数量。并且观察细胞病变效应（CPE）,采用CCK-8法检测哌嗪新衍生物对细胞活性的影响。结果 哌嗪新衍生物VP1-4浓度为5 μg/mL能够显著抑制RD细胞中EV71 VP1蛋白的表达,EV71 mRNA水平降低了（93.8±3.1）%,IC50约为0.016 μg/mL,培养基上清病毒滴度降低了（51.1±0.8）%。而且VP1-4能够减缓EV71病毒感染引起的CPE。此外,化合物VP1-4 CC50>200 μg/mL,说明细胞毒性低,安全性较高。结论 本研究证实VP1-4能有效抑制EV71的复制,可以作为先导化合物开展进一步研究。     

miR-545 promoted enterovirus 71 replication via directly targeting phosphatase and tensin homolog and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is a small, nonenveloped icosahedral RNA virus and is the predominant causative pathogen of hand-foot-and-mouth disease. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) are reported to play important roles in the pathogenesis of EV71 replication. This study investigated the role of miR-545 in the EV71 replication and explored the underlying molecular mechanisms. We showed that miR-545 was upregulated in the EV71-infected human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells and rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells. Overexpression of miR-545 promoted the viral replication of EV71 and attenuated the inhibitory effects of EV71 on cell viability in HEK293 and RD cells; while knockdown of miR-545 significantly suppressed the EV71 replication in these two cell lines. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-545 directly targeted the 3′untranslated region of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) in HEK293 cells. Furthermore, miR-545 negatively regulated the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression of PTEN and TRAF6. The mRNA and protein expression of PTEN and TRAF6 was also suppressed by EV71 infection, which was attenuated by miR-545 knockdown in HEK293 cells. Overexpression of PTEN and TRAF6 both suppressed the EV71 replication in HKE293 cells, and also attenuated the enhanced effects of miR-545 overexpression on the EV71 replication in HEK293 cells. Collectively, our study for the first time showed that miR-545 had an enhanced effect on the EV71 replication in HEK293 and RD cells. Further mechanistic results indicated that miR-545 promoted EV71 replication at least partly via targeting PTEN and TRAF6.     

Human SCARB2-dependent infection by coxsackievirus A7, A14, and A16 and enterovirus 71

Human enterovirus species A (HEV-A) consists of at least 16 members of different serotypes that are known to be the causative agents of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), herpangina, and other diseases, such as respiratory disease and polio-like flaccid paralysis. Enterovirus 71 (EV71) and coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16) are the major causative agents of HFMD. CVA5, CVA6, CVA10, and CVA12 mainly cause herpangina or are occasionally involved with sporadic cases of HFMD. We have previously shown that human scavenger receptor class B, member 2 (SCARB2) is a cellular receptor for EV71 and CVA16. Using a large number of clinical isolates of HEV-A, we explored whether all clinical isolates of EV71 and other serotypes of HEV-A infected cells via SCARB2. We tested this possibility by infecting L-SCARB2 cells, which are L929 cells expressing human SCARB2, by infecting human RD cells that had been treated with small interfering RNAs for SCARB2 and by directly binding the viruses to a soluble SCARB2 protein. We showed that all 162 clinical isolates of EV71 propagated in L-SCARB2 cells, suggesting that SCARB2 is the critical receptor common to all EV71 strains. In addition, CVA7, CVA14, and CVA16, which are most closely related to each other, also utilized SCARB2 for infection. EV71, CVA14, and CVA16 are highly associated with HFMD, and EV71 and CVA7 are occasionally associated with neurological diseases, suggesting that SCARB2 plays important roles in the development of these diseases. In contrast, another group of viruses, such as CVA2, CVA3, CVA4, CVA5, CVA6, CVA8, CVA10, and CVA12, which are relatively distant from the EV71 group, is associated mainly with herpangina. None of these clinical isolates infected via the SCARB2-dependent pathway. HEV-A viruses can be divided into at least two groups depending on the use of SCARB2, and the receptor usage plays an important role in developing the specific diseases for each group.     

The interferon system of teleost fish

Interferons (IFNs) are secreted proteins, which induce vertebrate cells into an antiviral state. In mammals, three families of IFNs (type I IFN, type II IFN and IFN-lambda) can be distinguished on the basis of gene structure, protein structure and functional properties. Type I IFNs, which include IFN-alpha and IFN-beta, are encoded by intron lacking genes and have a major role in the first line of defense against viruses. The human IFN-lambdas have similar biological properties as type I IFNs, but are encoded by intron containing genes. Type II IFN is identical to IFN-gamma, which is produced by T helper 1 cells in response to mitogens and antigens and has a key role in adaptive cell mediated immunity. IFNs, which show structural and functional properties similar to mammalian type I IFNs, have recently been cloned from Atlantic salmon, channel catfish, pufferfish, and zebrafish. Teleost fish appear to have at least two type I IFN genes. Phylogenetic sequence analysis shows that the fish type I IFNs form a group separated from the avian type I IFNs and the mammalian IFN-alpha, -beta and -lambda groups. Interestingly, the fish IFNs possess the same exon/intron structure as the IFN-lambdas, but show most sequence similarity to IFN-alpha. Recently, IFN-gamma genes have also been cloned from several fish species and shown to have the same exon/intron structure as mammalian IFN-gamma genes. The antiviral effect of mammalian type I IFN is exerted through binding to the IFN-alpha/beta-receptor, which triggers signal transduction through the JAK-STAT signal transduction pathway resulting in expression of Mx and other antiviral proteins. Putative IFN receptor genes have been identified in pufferfish. Several interferon regulatory factors and members of the JAK-STAT pathway have also been identified in various fish species. Moreover, Mx and several other interferon stimulated genes have been cloned and studied in fish. Furthermore, antiviral activity of Mx protein from Atlantic salmon and Japanese flounder has recently been demonstrated.     

Characterization of full-length enterovirus 71 strains from severe and mild disease patients in northeastern China

Human enterovirus 71 (EV71)-associated hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) has been a leading cause of childhood infection in China since 2008. Epidemic and molecular characteristics of HFMD have been examined in many areas of China, including the central and southern regions. However, clinical and genetic characterization of EV71 in the northeastern region of China is scarce. In this study, a series of analyses were performed on seven full-length EV71 sequences from HFMD patients who had either severe or mild disease. We have determined that these seven circulating EV71 viruses from Changchun, China are actually complex recombinant viruses involving multiple type A human enterovirus (HEV). Classified as EV71 subtype C4 (EV71 C4), these Changchun EV71 viruses contain genetic recombination events between the CA4, CA5, EV71B4 and EV71C1 strains. Most of the structural protein region (P1) of these viruses resembled that of the prototype EV71 C1 strains. The non-structural protein domains (P2 and P3) showed a high degree of similarity with CA4, CA5 and EV71 B4 in different regions. The 5'UTR had unclassified recombination,while partial 3D region of these viruses showed a high degree of similarity to CA16. Phylogenetic analysis of full-length or partial sequences of isolates from severe or mild disease patients in Changchun always formed a single cluster in various phylogenetic analyses of different genomic regions, suggesting that all seven strains originated from one single common ancestor. There was no correlation between viral genomic sequence and virulence. Thus, we found that circulating recombinant forms of EV71 are prevalent among HFMD patients in Northeastern China. The existence of a unique cluster of EV71 related viruses in Northeast China has important implications for vaccine development that would address the increasing prevalence of HFMD.     

A microfluidic cell chip for virus isolation via rapid screening for permissive cells

Virus identification is a prerequisite not only for the early diagnosis of viral infectious diseases but also for the effective prevention of epidemics. Successful cultivation is the gold standard for identifying a virus, according to the Koch postulates. However, this requires screening for a permissive cell line, which is traditionally time-, reagent- and labor-intensive. Here, a simple and easy-to-operate microfluidic chip, formed by seeding a variety of cell lines and culturing them in parallel, is reported for use in virus cultivation and virus-permissive host-cell screening. The chip was tested by infection with two known viruses, enterovirus 71 (EV71) and influenza virus H1N1. Infection with EV71 and H1N1 caused significant cytopathic effects (CPE) in RD and MDCK cells, respectively, demonstrating that virus cultivation based on this microfluidic cell chip can be used as a substitute for the traditional plate-based culture method and reproduce the typical CPE caused by virus infection. Using this microfluidic cell chip method for virus cultivation could make it possible to identify an emerging virus in a high-throughput, automatic, and unprecedentedly fast way.