A common antigenic epitope in influenza A virus (H1, H2, H5, H6) hemagglutinin]

Avian influenza A viruses belonging to hemagglutinin (HA) subtypes H5 and H6 were studied in the infectivity neutralization test and radioimmunoprecipitation assay (RIPA) with monoclonal antibody MAb C179. This MAb recognizes a conformational antigenic epitope in the stem region of HA formed by two regions (amino acid positions 318-322 in HA1 subunit and 47-58 in HA2), conserved in all H1 and H2 influenza viruses. MAb C179 reacts with HA of H5 viruses in RIPA and neutralizes these strains as efficiently as H2 viruses. C179 precipitates H6 subtype HA but does not neutralize the infectivity of these viruses. Comparison of amino acid sequences of H2, H5, and H6 strains showed identical epitope recognized by MAb C179 in H5 and H6 HAs, which differs from epitopes of H1 and H2 by two amino acids in the HA2 subunit. Causes of disagreement between immunoprecipitation of H6 HA by MAb C179 and neutralization of this serosubtype by this MAb are discussed.     

An epitope shared by the hemagglutinins of H1, H2, H5, and H6 subtypes of influenza A virus

The membrane-inserted hemagglutinin (HA) is the most variable protein of influenza viruses. Here we describe the characterization of a shared epitope in the HA of influenza A virus H1, H2, and H5 subtypes which were completely neutralized by a monoclonal antibody (MAb), directed against this epitope. This MAb (C179) also efficiently precipitated the HAs of these viruses. In addition, MAb C179 did not neutralize H6 subtype strains despite complete amino acid homology of the epitope regions. Furthermore, only the non-glycosylated form of the HA of one of the H6 subtype strains could be precipitated by the MAb. The conformational epitope may be masked by glycosylation, although it could not be excluded that differences in the primary amino acid sequence may cause the decreased accessibility of the epitope in H6 subtype strains.     

Mutations of two transmembrane cysteines of hemagglutinin (HA) from influenza A H3N2 virus affect HA thermal stability and fusion activity

Influenza A H3N2 virus caused 1968 Hong Kong influenza pandemic, and has since been one of the most prevalent seasonal influenza viruses in global populations, representing a credible pandemic candidate in future. Previous studies have established that the hemagglutinin (HA) protein is the predominant antigen and executes receptor binding and membrane fusion. Homologous sequence analysis of all HA subtypes of influenza viruses revealed that two cysteine residues (540 and 544) are uniquely present in the transmembrane domain (TM) of HA proteins from all influenza A H3N2 viruses. However, the functions of these two cysteines have not been fully studied. Here, we generated three mutants (C540S, C544L, and 2C/SL) to investigate the effects of the two TM cysteines on the biological functions of H3 HA. We herein presented evidences that the mutations of one or two of the cysteines did not affect the proper expressions of HA proteins in cells, and more importantly all mutant H3 HAs showed decreased thermal stability but increased fusion activity in comparison with wildtype HA. Our results taken together demonstrated that the two TM cysteines are important for the biological functions of H3 HA proteins.     

Type- and subtype-specific detection of influenza viruses in clinical specimens by rapid culture assay.

A rapid culture assay which allows for the simultaneous typing and subtyping of currently circulating influenza A(H1N1), A(H3N2), and B viruses in clinical specimens was developed. Pools of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against influenza A and B viruses and MAbs HA1-71 and HA2-76, obtained by immunizing mice with the denatured hemagglutinin subfragments HA1 and HA2 of influenza virus A/Victoria/3/75, were used for immunoperoxidase staining of antigens in infected MDCK cells. MAb HA1-71 reacted exclusively with influenza A viruses of the H3 subtype, while MAb HA2-76 reacted with subtypes H1, H3, H4, H6, H8, H9, H10, H11, and H12, as determined with 78 human, 4 swine, and 10 avian influenza virus reference strains subtyped by the hemagglutination inhibition test. To determine if the technique can be used as a rapid diagnostic test, 263 known influenza virus-positive frozen nasal or throat swabs were inoculated into MDCK cells. After an overnight incubation, the cells were fixed and viral antigens were detected by immunoperoxidase staining. Influenza A viruses of the H1 and H3 subtypes were detected in 31 and 113 specimens, respectively. The subtypes of 10 influenza A virus-positive specimens could not be determined because they contained too little virus. Influenza B viruses were detected in 84 specimens, and 25 specimens were negative. We conclude that this assay is a rapid, convenient, non-labor-intensive, and relatively inexpensive test for detecting, typing, and subtyping influenza viruses in clinical specimens.     

Nucleotide sequence analysis of the HA1 coding portion of the haemagglutinin gene of swine H1N1 influenza viruses.

The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences coding for the HA1 portion of the haemagglutinin (HA) genes of three swine influenza viruses were determined and compared with published HA sequence data for human H1N1 influenza viruses. Sequence differences between the classic swine influenza HAs sw37 (A/swine/29/37) and NJ76 (A/New Jersey/11/76) were randomly distributed in the molecule without being confined to antigenic sites. In contrast, sequence differences between the HAs of sw37 and the antigenically atypical strains sw38 (A/swine/Northern Ireland/38) and sw39 (A/swine/Cambridge/39) were clustered in hypervariable regions, similar to the pattern of changes that was present between sw37 and the human strains PR834 (A/PR/8/34) and WSN33 (A/WSN/33). Sequence homologies of the European swine influenza strains (sw38, sw39) were higher with the HAs of the human strains (PR834, WSN33) than with the classic swine influenza HAs (sw37, NJ76). Phylogenetic analysis showed that the HA genes of these two European swine influenza strains emerged from a different evolutionary lineage of H1 HAs than the HAs of classic swine influenza strains.     

Antigenic and genetic analysis of H5 influenza viruses isolated from water birds for the purpose of vaccine use

In order to prepare H5N1 influenza virus vaccine, the hemagglutinins (HAs) of 14 H5 virus isolates from water birds in Asia were antigenically and genetically analyzed. Phylogenetic analysis of the H5 HA genes revealed that 13 isolates belong to Eurasian and the other one to North American lineages. Each of the deduced amino acid sequences of the HAs indicated a non-pathogenic profile. Antigenic analysis using a panel of monoclonal antibodies recognizing six different epitopes on the HA of A/duck/Pennsylvania/10218/1984 (H5N2) and chicken antiserum to an H5N1 reassortant strain generated between A/duck/Mongolia/54/2001 (H5N2) and A/duck/Mongolia/47/2001 (H7N1), [R(Dk/Mong-Dk/Mong) (H5N1)] showed that the HAs of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses currently circulating in Asia were antigenically closely related to those of the present isolates from water birds. Mice subcutaneously injected with formalin-inactivated R(Dk/Mong-Dk/Mong) were protected from challenge with 100 mouse lethal dose of A/Viet Nam/1194/2004 (H5N1). The present results support the notion that the H5 isolates and the reassortant H5N1 strain should be useful for vaccine preparation.     

Molecular evolution of human influenza A viruses in a local area during eight influenza epidemics from 2000 to 2007

A total of 1,041 human influenza A virus isolates were collected at a clinic in Niigata, Japan, during eight influenza seasons from 2000 to 2007. The H3N2 subtype accounted for 75.4% of the isolates, and the rest were H1N1. Extremely high rates of amantadine-resistant strains of H3N2 subtype were observed in 2005/2006 (100%) and 2006/2007 (79.4%), while amantadine-resistant strains of H1N1 subtype were only detected in 2006/2007 (48.2%). Sequence and phylogenetic analysis of the HA1 subunit of the hemagglutinin (HA) gene revealed a characteristic linear trunk in the case of H3N2 viruses and a multi-furcated tree in the case of H1N1 and showed a higher sequence diversity among H3N2 strains than H1N1 strains. Mutations in the HA1 from both subtypes were mainly found in the globular region, and only one-third of these were retained for two or more successive years. Higher diversity of H3N2 viruses was mainly attributable to a higher fixation rate of non-synonymous mutations and to a lesser extent to a higher nucleotide substitution rate than for H1N1. Our analysis showed evidence of four positively selected sites in the HA1 of H1 and five sites in that of H3, four of which were novel. Finally, acquisition or loss of N-glycosylation sites was shown to contribute to the evolution of influenza A virus, especially in the case of H3N2, which had a higher tendency to acquire new glycosylation sites.     

Origin of the hemagglutinin gene of H3N2 influenza viruses from pigs in China

Influenza viruses of the H3N2 subtype similar to Aichi/2/68 and Victoria/3/75 persist in pigs many years after their antigenic counterparts have disappeared from humans (Shortridge et al. (1977). Science 19, 1454-1455). To provide information on the mechanism of conservation of these influenza viruses in pigs, the hemagglutinin (HA) of four isolates from swine derived from Taiwan and Southern China were analyzed antigenically and genetically. The reactivity pattern of these viruses with a panel of monoclonal antibodies indicates that the HAs of these swine viruses were antigenically closely related to duck H3 and early human H3 viruses. Sequence analysis of the H3 genes from three swine viruses revealed that the swine H3 genes are more closely related to the duck genes than to early human H3 virus (A/Aichi/2/68). The degree of sequence homology of these genes is extremely high (more than 96.5%). Furthermore, the deduced amino acid sequence of the three swine HAs at residues 226 to 228 in the proposed receptor-binding site is Gln-Ser-Gly and is common with the majority of avian influenza viruses. These findings indicate that these H3 viruses may have been introduced into pigs from ducks. The HA gene of the fourth swine influenza virus from Southern China was genetically equally related to avian and early human H3 strains although the sequence through the receptor-binding pocket (226-228) was typical of a human H3 virus, suggesting that either this swine HA gene was derived from ducks or an early human H3 virus was introduced into the pig population where the virus accumulated substantial mutations. The present strains revealed genetic heterogeneity of swine H3 influenza viruses in nature.     

IgM,IgG, and IgA Antibody Responses to Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 Hemagglutinin in Infected Persons during the First Wave of the 2009 Pandemic in the United States

The novel influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus caused an influenza pandemic in 2009. IgM, IgG, and IgA antibody responses to A(H1N1)pdm09 hemagglutinin (HA) following A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infection were analyzed to understand antibody isotype responses. Age-matched control sera collected from U.S. residents in 2007 and 2008 were used to establish baseline levels of cross-reactive antibodies. IgM responses often used as indicators of primary virus infection were mainly detected in young patient groups (≤5 years and 6 to 15 years old), not in older age groups, despite the genetic and antigenic differences between the HA of A(H1N1)pdm09 virus and pre-2009 seasonal H1N1 viruses. IgG and IgA responses to A(H1N1)pdm09 HA were detected in all age groups of infected persons. In persons 17 to 80 years old, paired acute- and convalescent-phase serum samples demonstrated ≥4-fold increases in the IgG and IgA responses to A(H1N1)pdm09 HA in 80% and 67% of A(H1N1)pdm09 virus-infected persons, respectively. The IgG antibody response to A(H1N1)pdm09 HA was cross-reactive with HAs from H1, H3, H5, and H13 subtypes, suggesting that infections with subtypes other than A(H1N1)pdm09 might result in false positives by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Lower sensitivity compared to hemagglutination inhibition and microneutralization assays and the detection of cross-reactive antibodies against homologous and heterologous subtype are major drawbacks for the application of ELISA in influenza serologic studies.     

Comparison by studies in squirrel monkeys, chimpanzees, and adult humans of avian-human influenza A virus reassortants derived from different avian influenza virus donors.

We evaluated the abilities of three different avian influenza A viruses to attenuate the wild-type human influenza A/Korea/1/82 (H3N2) virus in squirrel monkeys, chimpanzees, and adult seronegative human volunteers. Two of these, avian influenza A/Mallard/NY/78 and A/Mallard/Alberta/76 viruses, appeared to be satisfactory donors of attenuating genes for the production of live influenza A reassortant virus vaccines for human use because the reassortants exhibited an acceptable balance between attenuation and immunogenicity.     

Molecular analyses of the hemagglutinin genes of H5 influenza viruses: origin of a virulent turkey strain

Comparative sequence analysis of the hemagglutinin (HA) genes of a highly virulent H5N8 virus isolated from turkeys in Ireland in 1983 and a virus of the same subtype detected simultaneously in healthy ducks showed only four amino acid differences between these strains. Partial sequencing of six of the other genes and antigenic similarity of the neuraminidases established the overall genetic similarity of these two viruses. Comparison of the complete sequence of two H5 gene sequences and partial sequences of other virulent and avirulent H5 viruses provides evidence for at least two different lineages of H5 influenza virus in the world, one in Europe and the other in North America, with virulent and avirulent members in each group. In vivo studies in domestic ducks showed that all of the H5 viruses that are virulent in chickens and turkeys replicate in the internal organs of ducks but did not produce any disease signs. Additionally, both viruses isolated from turkeys and ducks in Ireland were detected in the blood. These studies provide the first conclusive evidence for the possibility that fully virulent influenza viruses in domestic poultry can arise directly from viruses in wild aquatic birds. Studies on the cleavability of the HA of virulent and avirulent H5 viruses showed that the principles established for H7 viruses (F. X. Bosch, M. Orlich, H. D. Klenk, and R. Rott, 1979, Virology 95, 197-207; F. X. Bosch, W. Garten, H. D. Klenk, and R. Rott, 1981, Virology 113, 725-735) also apply to the H5 subtype. These are (1) only the HAs of virulent influenza viruses were cleaved in tissue culture in the absence of trypsin and (2) virulent H5 influenza viruses contain a series of basic amino acids at the cleavage site of the HA, whereas avirulent strains contain only a single arginine with the exception of the avirulent Chicken/Pennsylvania virus. Thus, a series of basic amino acids at the cleavage site probably forms a recognition site for the enzyme(s) responsible for cleavage.     

无锡地区流感病毒病原学监测及H3亚型血凝素基因变异研究

目的 监测无锡地区2005年至2008年季节性流感型与亚型分布并了解2008年部分A/H3N2分离株血凝素(8A)基因变异状况.方法 无锡地区医院门诊流感样患者及集体单位聚集性流感样暴发患者采集鼻咽拭标本,接种MDCK细胞,采用标准抗血清鉴定阳性分离株型与亚型,并对2008年部分H3亚型流感病毒进行HA全基因测序,分析HA基因变异状况.结果 2005年至2008年9月,在无锡地区流感样患者中共分离到435株流感病毒,其中164株为A/H1N1亚型,80株为MH3N2亚型,B型191株.型与亚型有明显季节性分布强弱特征.H3亚型HA序列分析,无锡地区9株分离株与上海地区同期分离株接近,有很多序列相互穿插归属于进化树的同一分支,与WHO 2008-2009年疫苗推荐株相近.结论 近年无锡地区散发和局部暴发流感病毒感染仍主要为A/H1N1、A/H3N2和B型,A/H3N2 HA基因与上海地区同期分离株接近,与WHO 2008-2009年疫苗推荐株相近.     

无锡地区流感病毒病原学监测及H3亚型血凝素基因变异研究

目的 监测无锡地区2005年至2008年季节性流感型与亚型分布并了解2008年部分A/H3N2分离株血凝素(8A)基因变异状况.方法 无锡地区医院门诊流感样患者及集体单位聚集性流感样暴发患者采集鼻咽拭标本,接种MDCK细胞,采用标准抗血清鉴定阳性分离株型与亚型,并对2008年部分H3亚型流感病毒进行HA全基因测序,分析HA基因变异状况.结果 2005年至2008年9月,在无锡地区流感样患者中共分离到435株流感病毒,其中164株为A/H1N1亚型,80株为MH3N2亚型,B型191株.型与亚型有明显季节性分布强弱特征.H3亚型HA序列分析,无锡地区9株分离株与上海地区同期分离株接近,有很多序列相互穿插归属于进化树的同一分支,与WHO 2008-2009年疫苗推荐株相近.结论 近年无锡地区散发和局部暴发流感病毒感染仍主要为A/H1N1、A/H3N2和B型,A/H3N2 HA基因与上海地区同期分离株接近,与WHO 2008-2009年疫苗推荐株相近.     

无锡地区流感病毒病原学监测及H3亚型血凝素基因变异研究

目的 监测无锡地区2005年至2008年季节性流感型与亚型分布并了解2008年部分A/H3N2分离株血凝素(8A)基因变异状况.方法 无锡地区医院门诊流感样患者及集体单位聚集性流感样暴发患者采集鼻咽拭标本,接种MDCK细胞,采用标准抗血清鉴定阳性分离株型与亚型,并对2008年部分H3亚型流感病毒进行HA全基因测序,分析HA基因变异状况.结果 2005年至2008年9月,在无锡地区流感样患者中共分离到435株流感病毒,其中164株为A/H1N1亚型,80株为MH3N2亚型,B型191株.型与亚型有明显季节性分布强弱特征.H3亚型HA序列分析,无锡地区9株分离株与上海地区同期分离株接近,有很多序列相互穿插归属于进化树的同一分支,与WHO 2008-2009年疫苗推荐株相近.结论 近年无锡地区散发和局部暴发流感病毒感染仍主要为A/H1N1、A/H3N2和B型,A/H3N2 HA基因与上海地区同期分离株接近,与WHO 2008-2009年疫苗推荐株相近.     

无锡地区流感病毒病原学监测及H3亚型血凝素基因变异研究

目的 监测无锡地区2005年至2008年季节性流感型与亚型分布并了解2008年部分A/H3N2分离株血凝素(8A)基因变异状况.方法 无锡地区医院门诊流感样患者及集体单位聚集性流感样暴发患者采集鼻咽拭标本,接种MDCK细胞,采用标准抗血清鉴定阳性分离株型与亚型,并对2008年部分H3亚型流感病毒进行HA全基因测序,分析HA基因变异状况.结果 2005年至2008年9月,在无锡地区流感样患者中共分离到435株流感病毒,其中164株为A/H1N1亚型,80株为MH3N2亚型,B型191株.型与亚型有明显季节性分布强弱特征.H3亚型HA序列分析,无锡地区9株分离株与上海地区同期分离株接近,有很多序列相互穿插归属于进化树的同一分支,与WHO 2008-2009年疫苗推荐株相近.结论 近年无锡地区散发和局部暴发流感病毒感染仍主要为A/H1N1、A/H3N2和B型,A/H3N2 HA基因与上海地区同期分离株接近,与WHO 2008-2009年疫苗推荐株相近.     

无锡地区流感病毒病原学监测及H3亚型血凝素基因变异研究

目的 监测无锡地区2005年至2008年季节性流感型与亚型分布并了解2008年部分A/H3N2分离株血凝素(8A)基因变异状况.方法 无锡地区医院门诊流感样患者及集体单位聚集性流感样暴发患者采集鼻咽拭标本,接种MDCK细胞,采用标准抗血清鉴定阳性分离株型与亚型,并对2008年部分H3亚型流感病毒进行HA全基因测序,分析HA基因变异状况.结果 2005年至2008年9月,在无锡地区流感样患者中共分离到435株流感病毒,其中164株为A/H1N1亚型,80株为MH3N2亚型,B型191株.型与亚型有明显季节性分布强弱特征.H3亚型HA序列分析,无锡地区9株分离株与上海地区同期分离株接近,有很多序列相互穿插归属于进化树的同一分支,与WHO 2008-2009年疫苗推荐株相近.结论 近年无锡地区散发和局部暴发流感病毒感染仍主要为A/H1N1、A/H3N2和B型,A/H3N2 HA基因与上海地区同期分离株接近,与WHO 2008-2009年疫苗推荐株相近.     

无锡地区流感病毒病原学监测及H3亚型血凝素基因变异研究

目的 监测无锡地区2005年至2008年季节性流感型与亚型分布并了解2008年部分A/H3N2分离株血凝素(8A)基因变异状况.方法 无锡地区医院门诊流感样患者及集体单位聚集性流感样暴发患者采集鼻咽拭标本,接种MDCK细胞,采用标准抗血清鉴定阳性分离株型与亚型,并对2008年部分H3亚型流感病毒进行HA全基因测序,分析HA基因变异状况.结果 2005年至2008年9月,在无锡地区流感样患者中共分离到435株流感病毒,其中164株为A/H1N1亚型,80株为MH3N2亚型,B型191株.型与亚型有明显季节性分布强弱特征.H3亚型HA序列分析,无锡地区9株分离株与上海地区同期分离株接近,有很多序列相互穿插归属于进化树的同一分支,与WHO 2008-2009年疫苗推荐株相近.结论 近年无锡地区散发和局部暴发流感病毒感染仍主要为A/H1N1、A/H3N2和B型,A/H3N2 HA基因与上海地区同期分离株接近,与WHO 2008-2009年疫苗推荐株相近.     

无锡地区流感病毒病原学监测及H3亚型血凝素基因变异研究

目的 监测无锡地区2005年至2008年季节性流感型与亚型分布并了解2008年部分A/H3N2分离株血凝素(8A)基因变异状况.方法 无锡地区医院门诊流感样患者及集体单位聚集性流感样暴发患者采集鼻咽拭标本,接种MDCK细胞,采用标准抗血清鉴定阳性分离株型与亚型,并对2008年部分H3亚型流感病毒进行HA全基因测序,分析HA基因变异状况.结果 2005年至2008年9月,在无锡地区流感样患者中共分离到435株流感病毒,其中164株为A/H1N1亚型,80株为MH3N2亚型,B型191株.型与亚型有明显季节性分布强弱特征.H3亚型HA序列分析,无锡地区9株分离株与上海地区同期分离株接近,有很多序列相互穿插归属于进化树的同一分支,与WHO 2008-2009年疫苗推荐株相近.结论 近年无锡地区散发和局部暴发流感病毒感染仍主要为A/H1N1、A/H3N2和B型,A/H3N2 HA基因与上海地区同期分离株接近,与WHO 2008-2009年疫苗推荐株相近.     

无锡地区流感病毒病原学监测及H3亚型血凝素基因变异研究

目的 监测无锡地区2005年至2008年季节性流感型与亚型分布并了解2008年部分A/H3N2分离株血凝素(8A)基因变异状况.方法 无锡地区医院门诊流感样患者及集体单位聚集性流感样暴发患者采集鼻咽拭标本,接种MDCK细胞,采用标准抗血清鉴定阳性分离株型与亚型,并对2008年部分H3亚型流感病毒进行HA全基因测序,分析HA基因变异状况.结果 2005年至2008年9月,在无锡地区流感样患者中共分离到435株流感病毒,其中164株为A/H1N1亚型,80株为MH3N2亚型,B型191株.型与亚型有明显季节性分布强弱特征.H3亚型HA序列分析,无锡地区9株分离株与上海地区同期分离株接近,有很多序列相互穿插归属于进化树的同一分支,与WHO 2008-2009年疫苗推荐株相近.结论 近年无锡地区散发和局部暴发流感病毒感染仍主要为A/H1N1、A/H3N2和B型,A/H3N2 HA基因与上海地区同期分离株接近,与WHO 2008-2009年疫苗推荐株相近.     

无锡地区流感病毒病原学监测及H3亚型血凝素基因变异研究

目的 监测无锡地区2005年至2008年季节性流感型与亚型分布并了解2008年部分A/H3N2分离株血凝素(8A)基因变异状况.方法 无锡地区医院门诊流感样患者及集体单位聚集性流感样暴发患者采集鼻咽拭标本,接种MDCK细胞,采用标准抗血清鉴定阳性分离株型与亚型,并对2008年部分H3亚型流感病毒进行HA全基因测序,分析HA基因变异状况.结果 2005年至2008年9月,在无锡地区流感样患者中共分离到435株流感病毒,其中164株为A/H1N1亚型,80株为MH3N2亚型,B型191株.型与亚型有明显季节性分布强弱特征.H3亚型HA序列分析,无锡地区9株分离株与上海地区同期分离株接近,有很多序列相互穿插归属于进化树的同一分支,与WHO 2008-2009年疫苗推荐株相近.结论 近年无锡地区散发和局部暴发流感病毒感染仍主要为A/H1N1、A/H3N2和B型,A/H3N2 HA基因与上海地区同期分离株接近,与WHO 2008-2009年疫苗推荐株相近.