In Vitro and In Vivo Antiviral Activity of Gingerenone A on Influenza A Virus Is Mediated by Targeting Janus Kinase 2

Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors have been developed as novel immunomodulatory drugs and primarily used for treating rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. Recent studies have suggested that this category of anti-inflammatory drugs could be potentially useful for the control of inflammation "storms" in respiratory virus infections. In addition to their role in regulating immune cell functions, JAK1 and JAK2 have been recently identified as crucial cellular factors involved in influenza A virus (IAV) replication and could be potentially targeted for antiviral therapy. Gingerenone A (Gin A) is a compound derived from ginger roots and a dual inhibitor of JAK2 and p70 S6 kinase (S6K1). Our present study aimed to determine the antiviral activity of Gin A on influenza A virus (IAV) and to understand its mechanisms of action. Here, we reported that Gin A suppressed the replication of three IAV subtypes (H1N1, H5N1, H9N2) in four cell lines. IAV replication was also inhibited by Ruxolitinib (Rux), a JAK inhibitor, but not by PF-4708671, an S6K1 inhibitor. JAK2 overexpression enhanced H5N1 virus replication and attenuated Gin A-mediated antiviral activity. In vivo experiments revealed that Gin A treatment suppressed IAV replication in the lungs of H5N1 virus-infected mice, alleviated their body weight loss, and prolonged their survival. Our study suggests that Gin A restricts IAV replication by inhibiting JAK2 activity; Gin A could be potentially useful for the control of influenza virus infections.

Evaluation of novel disposable bioreactors on pandemic influenza virus production

Since 1997, the highly pathogenic influenza H5N1 virus has spread from Hong Kong. According to the WHO bulletin report, the H5N1 virus is a zoonotic disease threat that has infected more than 850 humans, causing over 450 deaths. In addition, an outbreak of another new and highly pathogenic influenza virus (H7N9) occurred in 2013 in China. These highly pathogenic influenza viruses could potentially cause a worldwide pandemic. it is crucial to develop a rapid production platform to meet this surge demand against any possible influenza pandemic. A potential solution for this problem is the use of cell-based bioreactors for rapid vaccine production. These novel bioreactors, used for cell-based vaccine production, possess various advantages. For example, they enable a short production time, allow for the handling highly pathogenic influenza in closed environments, and can be easily scaled up. In this study, two novel disposable cell-based bioreactors, BelloCell and TideCell, were used to produce H5N1 clade II and H7N9 candidate vaccine viruses (CVVs). Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells were used for the production of these influenza CVVs. A novel bench-scale bioreactor named BelloCell bioreactor was used in the study. All culturing conditions were tested and scaled to 10 L industrial-scale bioreactor known as TideCell002. The performances of between BelloCell and TideCell were similar in cell growth, the average MDCK cell doubling time was slightly decreased to 25 hours. The systems yielded approximately 39.2 and 18.0 μg/ml of HA protein with the 10-liter TideCell002 from the H5N1 clade II and H7N9 CVVs, respectively. The results of this study not only highlight the overall effectiveness of these bioreactors but also illustrate the potential of maintaining the same outcome when scaled up to industrial production, which has many implications for faster vaccine production. Although additional studies are required for process optimization, the results of this study are promising and show that oscillating bioreactors may be a suitable platform for pandemic influenza virus production.

SMARCA2-regulated host cell factors are required for MxA restriction of influenza A viruses

The human interferon (IFN)-induced MxA protein is a key antiviral host restriction factor exhibiting broad antiviral activity against many RNA viruses, including highly pathogenic avian influenza A viruses (IAV) of the H5N1 and H7N7 subtype. To date the mechanism for how MxA exerts its antiviral activity is unclear, however, additional cellular factors are believed to be essential for this activity. To identify MxA cofactors we performed a genome-wide siRNA-based screen in human airway epithelial cells (A549) constitutively expressing MxA using an H5N1 reporter virus. These data were complemented with a proteomic screen to identify MxA-interacting proteins. The combined data identified SMARCA2, the ATPase subunit of the BAF chromatin remodeling complex, as a crucial factor required for the antiviral activity of MxA against IAV. Intriguingly, our data demonstrate that although SMARCA2 is essential for expression of some IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs), and the establishment of an antiviral state, it is not required for expression of MxA, suggesting an indirect effect on MxA activity. Transcriptome analysis of SMARCA2-depleted A549-MxA cells identified a small set of SMARCA2-regulated factors required for activity of MxA, in particular IFITM2 and IGFBP3. These findings reveal that several virus-inducible factors work in concert to enable MxA restriction of IAV.

Survival of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 Virus in Tissues Derived from Experimentally Infected Chickens

Eurasian lineage highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus has been a severe threat to the poultry industry since its emergence in 1996. The carcass or tissues derived from infected birds may present the risk of the virus spreading to humans, animals, and the surrounding environment. In this study, we investigated the survival of the virus in feather, muscle, and liver tissues collected from six chickens (Gallus gallus) experimentally infected with HPAI H5N1 virus. The tissues were stored at +4°C or +20°C, and viral isolation was performed at different times for 360 days. The maximum periods for viral survival were observed in samples stored at +4°C in all tissue types and were 240 days in feather tissues, 160 days in muscle, and 20 days in liver. The viral infectivity at +20°C was maintained for a maximum of 30 days in the feather tissues, 20 days in muscle, and 3 days in liver. The viral inactivation rates partly overlapped in the feather and muscle tissues at the two temperatures. The virus was inactivated rapidly in the liver. Our experimental results indicate that the tissue type and temperature can greatly influence the survival of HPAI H5N1 virus in the tissues of infected chickens.IMPORTANCE Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus of the H5N1 subtype can cause massive losses of poultry, and people need to handle a large number of chicken carcasses contaminated with the virus at outbreak sites. This study evaluated how long the virus can keep its infectivity in the three types of tissues derived from chickens infected with the virus. Our experimental results indicate that the virus can survive in tissues for a specific period of time depending on the tissue type and temperature. Our results are valuable for better understanding of viral ecology in the environment and for reducing the risk of the virus spreading via bird tissues contaminated with the virus.

Constitutively Expressed IFITM3 Protein in Human Endothelial Cells Poses an Early Infection Block to Human Influenza Viruses

A role for pulmonary endothelial cells in the orchestration of cytokine production and leukocyte recruitment during influenza virus infection, leading to severe lung damage, has been recently identified. As the mechanistic pathway for this ability is not fully known, we extended previous studies on influenza virus tropism in cultured human pulmonary endothelial cells. We found that a subset of avian influenza viruses, including potentially pandemic H5N1, H7N9, and H9N2 viruses, could infect human pulmonary endothelial cells (HULEC) with high efficiency compared to human H1N1 or H3N2 viruses. In HULEC, human influenza viruses were capable of binding to host cellular receptors, becoming internalized and initiating hemifusion but failing to uncoat the viral nucleocapsid and to replicate in host nuclei. Unlike numerous cell types, including epithelial cells, we found that pulmonary endothelial cells constitutively express a high level of the restriction protein IFITM3 in endosomal compartments. IFITM3 knockdown by small interfering RNA (siRNA) could partially rescue H1N1 virus infection in HULEC, suggesting IFITM3 proteins were involved in blocking human influenza virus infection in endothelial cells. In contrast, selected avian influenza viruses were able to escape IFITM3 restriction in endothelial cells, possibly by fusing in early endosomes at higher pH or by other, unknown mechanisms. Collectively, our study demonstrates that the human pulmonary endothelium possesses intrinsic immunity to human influenza viruses, in part due to the constitutive expression of IFITM3 proteins. Notably, certain avian influenza viruses have evolved to escape this restriction, possibly contributing to virus-induced pneumonia and severe lung disease in humans.

IMPORTANCE

Avian influenza viruses, including H5N1 and H7N9, have been associated with severe respiratory disease and fatal outcomes in humans. Although acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and progressive pulmonary endothelial damage are known to be present during severe human infections, the role of pulmonary endothelial cells in the pathogenesis of avian influenza virus infections is largely unknown. By comparing human seasonal influenza strains to avian influenza viruses, we provide greater insight into the interaction of influenza virus with human pulmonary endothelial cells. We show that human influenza virus infection is blocked during the early stages of virus entry, which is likely due to the relatively high expression of the host antiviral factors IFITMs (interferon-induced transmembrane proteins) located in membrane-bound compartments inside cells. Overall, this study provides a mechanism by which human endothelial cells limit replication of human influenza virus strains, whereas avian influenza viruses overcome these restriction factors in this cell type.

[AVIAN RECOMBINANT VIRUS H5N1 INFLUENZA (A/VIETNAM/1203/04) AND ITS ESCAPE-MUTANT m13(13) INDUCE EARLY SIGNALING REACTIONS OF THE IMMUNITY IN HUMAN LYMPHOCYTES]

The innate immune receptors TLR4, TLR7, TLR8, and RIG1 recognized the structures of the influenza viruses in human lymphocytes and were activated by the recombinant avian influenza virus A/Vietnam/1203/04 and its escape-mutant m13(13) during early period of interaction. The stimulated levels are not connected with viral reproduction. Donor cells with the low constitutive immune receptors gene expression levels showed higher stimulation. Inflammation virus effects resulted in. increasing production of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma by lymphocytes. Signaling gene reactions of the parent and mutant viruses endosomal as well as cytoplasmic receptors are very similar. The mutant virus A/Vietnam/1203/04 (HA S145F), stimulated an increase in the transcription level of the membrane receptor gene TLR4 and a decrease in the level of activation of TNF-alpha gene. Further studies of natural influenza virus isolates are necessary to estimate the role of HA antigenic changes on immune reactions in humans.

[Effects of different gene segments of influenza virus on the growth of recombinants]

OBJECTIVE

We explored which internal genes of influenza virus that affect the titer of recombinant viruses and contribute to the high yield of Influenza A seed virus in ovo.

METHODS

Six internal genes or mutant or polymerase complex of A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (H1N1) (PR8) virus genes were replaced individually by corresponding gene of A/ chicken/ZJ/China/2013 ( H5N1) virus, and the hemagglutination titers of recombinant viruses were compared by HA assay.

RESULTS

PB2 gene had the greatest influence, its replace failed to generate recombinant virus. When PB1, PA, or M gene was replaced, the titers of recombinant viruses dropped by 3.7, 3.4, 3.0 (log2), respectively. NS gene had little influence upon HA titer. When polymerase complex genes were replaced, virus titer dropped slightly to 7.6 log2, and it did not confer the same growth characteristics (8.4 log2) found when a complete polymerase complex was of PR8 origin. When amino acids of position 627 of PR8 PB2 gene were mutated to glutamic acid, virus titer rose from 8.4 log2 to 8.7 log2.

CONCLUSION

The optimal gene combinations may facilitate replication through viral RNA and protein interaction with cellular components as well as interaction of viral RNA and protein or protein-protein interactions within the virus. These multi-factorial contributions resulted in selection of a high replication competent reassortant in embryonated chicken eggs in comparison to the respective low yield wild type viruses, and laid the foundation for high

Peptidomimetic furin inhibitor MI-701 in combination with oseltamivir and ribavirin efficiently blocks propagation of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses and delays high level oseltamivir resistance in MDCK cells

Antiviral medication is used for the treatment of severe influenza infections, of which the neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs) are the most effective drugs, approved so far. Here, we investigated the antiviral efficacy of the peptidomimetic furin inhibitor MI-701 in combination with oseltamivir carboxylate and ribavirin against the infection of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) that are activated by the host protease furin. Cell cultures infected with the strains A/Thailand/1(KAN-1)/2004 (H5N1) and A/FPV/Rostock/1934 (H7N1) were treated with each agent alone, or in double and triple combinations. MI-701 alone achieved a concentration-dependent reduction of virus propagation. Double treatment of MI-701 with oseltamivir carboxylate and triple combination with ribavirin showed synergistic inhibition and a pronounced delay of virus propagation. MI-701 resistant mutants were not observed. Emergence of NA mutation H275Y conferring high oseltamivir resistance was significantly delayed in the presence of MI-701. Our data indicate that combination with a potent furin inhibitor significantly enhances the therapeutic efficacy of conventional antivirals drugs against HPAIV infection.

Combination of specific single chain antibody variable fragment and siRNA has a synergistic inhibitory effect on the propagation of avian influenza virus H5N1 in chicken cells

BACKGROUND

The avian influenza virus (AIV) causes frequent disease with high morbidity and mortality. RNA interference (RNAi) has been shown to provide an effective antiviral defense in animals, and several studies have focused on harnessing small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to inhibit viral infections. In addition, single chain variable fragments (scFvs) contain the complete antigen binding site, and specific scFvs can bind to and neutralize viruses.

RESULTS

Fourteen positive scFvs were selected by the yeast two-hybrid system. Using molecular docking technology, we selected the three highest affinity scFvs for further functional validation. Results of indirect ELISA and IFA showed that all three scFvs could bind to FJ13 strain and had neutralizing activity, decreasing the viral infectivity markedly. Chicken fibroblastic DF-1 cells were transfected with scFvs in combination with siRNA-NP604 (an siRNA of anti-AIV NP protein previously reported). Following infection with FJ13 virus, copy numbers of the virus were significantly reduced from 12 h to at least 60 h post-infection compared to that achieved in cells transfected with scFv or siRNA-NP604 separately.

CONCLUSIONS

A novel combination of antiviral siRNAs expressed in chicken cells and chicken antibody single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) secreted from the cells has a synergistic inhibitory effect on the avian influenza viral proliferation in vitro. Intracellular application of scFvs and anti-viral siRNA may provide a new approach to influenza prevention and treatment.

[Construction and biological characteristics of H5N1 avian influenza viruses with different patterns of the glycosylation sites in HA protein]

The distribution of glycosylation sites in HA proteins was various among H5 subtype avian influenza viruses (AIVs), however, the role of glycosylation sites to the virus is still unclear. In this study, avian influenza H5N1 viruses with deletion of the glycosylation sites in HA were constructed and rescued by site direct mutation and reverse genetic method, and their biological characteristics and virulence were determined. The result showed that the mutants were confirmed to be corrected by HA gene sequencing and Western blot analysis. The EID50 and TCID50 tested in SPF chick embryo and MDCK cells of a mutant rSdelta158 with deletion of glycosylation site at position 158 were slight lower than that of wild type rescued virus rS, and the plaque diameter of rSdelta158 was significant smaller than that of rS. The EID50 and TCID50 of mutants rSdelta169 and rSdelta290 with deletion of glycosylation sites at position 169 and 290, respectively, were slight higher than that of wild type rescued virus rS, the plaque diameters of rSdelta169 and rSdelta290 were similar as that of rS, but the plaque numbers of rSdelta169 and rSdelta290 were 10-fold higher than that to rS. On the other hand, the rSdelta158, rSdelta169 and rSdelta290 showed similar growth rate in chicken embryo fibroblast as rS. All viruses remained high pathogenicity to SPF chickens. Therefore, the growth of AIV can be affected by changes of glycosylation sites in HA protein, by which the effect is variable in different cells.

Chaos in a seasonally perturbed SIR model: avian influenza in a seabird colony as a paradigm

Seasonality is a complex force in nature that affects multiple processes in wild animal populations. In particular, seasonal variations in demographic processes may considerably affect the persistence of a pathogen in these populations. Furthermore, it has been long observed in computer simulations that under seasonal perturbations, a host-pathogen system can exhibit complex dynamics, including the transition to chaos, as the magnitude of the seasonal perturbation increases. In this paper, we develop a seasonally perturbed Susceptible-Infected-Recovered model of avian influenza in a seabird colony. Numerical simulations of the model give rise to chaotic recurrent epidemics for parameters that reflect the ecology of avian influenza in a seabird population, thereby providing a case study for chaos in a host- pathogen system. We give a computer-assisted exposition of the existence of chaos in the model using methods that are based on the concept of topological hyperbolicity. Our approach elucidates the geometry of the chaos in the phase space of the model, thereby offering a mechanism for the persistence of the infection. Finally, the methods described in this paper may be immediately extended to other infections and hosts, including humans.

[Inhibition of proliferation of H5N1 subtype AIV in CEF by chemosynthetic siRNA]

In order to study the proliferation inhibition effect of H5N1 subtype avian influenza virus (AIV) with small interfere RNA (siRNA), a total of 4 siRNAs were designed in accordance with the NP and PA genes of H5N1 subtype AIV, the siRNAs were then transfected to chicken embryo fibroblast(CEF), CEF was infected with H5N1 subtype AIV after 6 hrs. Virus titer of cell supernatant was tested at 16-56hrs post infection, and pathological changes of the cells was observed; mRNA levels of NP, PA, HA and p13-actin gene were tested at 36hrs post infection. The results showed that these 4 siRNAs could inhibit the prolif-eration of H5N1 subtype AIV in CEF in varying degrees, and one siRNA targeting PA was best per-formed. The experimental results also showed that the inhibition effect was decreased with the time prolonged. This research provides a basis for further studying RNAi on AIV prevention and control.

[The influenza viruses and their surface proteins impact on the metabolism of human blood vessel endothelium cells]

The modern influenza virus subtypes H3N2, H5N1, and H1N1 reduced the metabolism of the endothelial cells within the range from 20% to 60% (compared with control). The degree of the activity of the dehydrogenase reduction depended on the dose of virus and time of virus reproduction. HA and NA also actively reduced the metabolism of the cells ranging from 5% to 60%, depending on the concentration of the proteins and time of their impact on cells. Neuraminidase was more active than hemagglutinin in the MTT test (at concentration 50 microg protein/ml).

Design, synthesis and structure-activity relationship of novel inhibitors against H5N1 hemagglutinin-mediated membrane fusion

We reported previously that a small molecule named CL-385319 could inhibit H5N1 influenza virus infection by targeting hemagglutinin, the envelope protein mediating virus entry. In the present study, a novel series of derivatives focused on the structural variation of CL-385319 were synthesized as specific inhibitors against the H5 subtype of influenza A viruses. These small molecules inhibited the low pH-induced conformational change of hemagglutinin, thereby blocking viral entry into host cells. Compound 1l was the most active inhibitor in this series with an IC(50) of 0.22 μM. The structure-activity relationships analysis of these compounds showed that the 3-fluoro-5-(trifluoromethyl)benzamide moiety was very important for activity, and the -F group was a better substituent group than -CF(3) group in the phenyl ring. The inhibitory activity was sensitive to the benzamide because the oxygen and hydrogen of the amide served as H-bond acceptor and donor, respectively.

Adaptation of high-growth influenza H5N1 vaccine virus in Vero cells: implications for pandemic preparedness

Current egg-based influenza vaccine production technology can't promptly meet the global demand during an influenza pandemic as shown in the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. Moreover, its manufacturing capacity would be vulnerable during pandemics caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses. Therefore, vaccine production using mammalian cell technology is becoming attractive. Current influenza H5N1 vaccine strain (NIBRG-14), a reassortant virus between A/Vietnam/1194/2004 (H5N1) virus and egg-adapted high-growth A/PR/8/1934 virus, could grow efficiently in eggs and MDCK cells but not Vero cells which is the most popular cell line for manufacturing human vaccines. After serial passages and plaque purifications of the NIBRG-14 vaccine virus in Vero cells, one high-growth virus strain (Vero-15) was generated and can grow over 10⁸ TCID₅₀/ml. In conclusion, one high-growth H5N1 vaccine virus was generated in Vero cells, which can be used to manufacture influenza H5N1 vaccines and prepare reassortant vaccine viruses for other influenza A subtypes.

Characterization of a fully human monoclonal antibody against extracellular domain of matrix protein 2 of influenza A virus

The extra-cellular domain of the influenza virus matrix protein 2 (M2e) is highly conserved between influenza A virus strains compared to hemagglutinin and neuraminidase, and has long been viewed as a potential and universal vaccine target. M2e induces no or only weak and transient immune responses following infection, making it difficult to detect M2e-specific antibodies producing B-cells in human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Recently, using a single-cell manipulation method, immunospot array assay on a chip (ISAAC), we obtained an M2e-specific human antibody (Ab1-10) from the peripheral blood of a healthy volunteer. In this report, we have demonstrate that Ab1-10 reacted not only to seasonal influenza A viruses, but also to pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus (2009 H1N1) and highly pathogenic avian influenza A virus, and that the antibody-bound M2e of 2009 H1N1 inactivated the virus with high affinity (∼10(-10)M). More importantly, it inhibited 2009 H1N1 viral propagation in vitro. These results suggest that Ab1-10 might be a potential candidate for antibody therapeutics for a wide range of influenza A viruses.

Immunostimulatory motifs enhance antiviral siRNAs targeting highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus is endemic in many regions around the world and remains a significant pandemic threat. To date H5N1 has claimed almost 300 human lives worldwide, with a mortality rate of 60% and has caused the death or culling of hundreds of millions of poultry since its initial outbreak in 1997. We have designed multi-functional RNA interference (RNAi)-based therapeutics targeting H5N1 that degrade viral mRNA via the RNAi pathway while at the same time augmenting the host antiviral response by inducing host type I interferon (IFN) production. Moreover, we have identified two factors critical for maximising the immunostimulatory properties of short interfering (si)RNAs in chicken cells (i) mode of synthesis and (ii) nucleoside sequence to augment the response to virus. The 5-bp nucleoside sequence 5′-UGUGU-3′ is a key determinant in inducing high levels of expression of IFN -α, -β, -λ and interleukin 1- β in chicken cells. Positioning of this 5′-UGUGU-3′ motif at the 5′- end of the sense strand of siRNAs, but not the 3′- end, resulted in a rapid and enhanced induction of type I IFN. An anti-H5N1 avian influenza siRNA directed against the PB1 gene (PB1-2257) tagged with 5′-UGUGU-3′ induced type I IFN earlier and to a greater extent compared to a non-tagged PB1-2257. Tested against H5N1 in vitro, the tagged PB1-2257 was more effective than non-tagged PB1-2257. These data demonstrate the ability of an immunostimulatory motif to improve the performance of an RNAi-based antiviral, a finding that may influence the design of future RNAi-based anti-influenza therapeutics.

[Study of antiviral activity of extracts obtained from basidial fungi against influenza viruses of different subtypes in experiments in vitro and in vivo]

AIM

To study antiviral activity of extracts obtained from basidial fungi against influenza viruses of different subtypes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Antiviral activity of extracts obtained from basidial fungi against influenza virus A/chicken/Kurgan/05/2005 (H5N1) was determined in in vitro experiments. Changes in infectiousness of pandemic influenza virus A/Moscow/226/2009 (HIN1)v caused by extracts of basidial fungi was studied in experiments in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

Seventy water extracts of basidial fungi were studied, of which 10 were able to inhibit infectiousness of influenza virus strain A/ chicken/Kurgan/05/2005 (H5N1) in MDCK cell culture. Also, several studied extracts decreased infectiousness of pandemic influenza virus strain A/ Moscow/226/2009 (H1N1)v in MDCK cells and inhibit its reproduction in lungs of infected mice.

CONCLUSION

High antiviral activity of extracts obtained from basidial fungi against influenza viruses opens perspectives for development of drugs with preventive and treatment effects.

Developing cell culture-derived pandemic vaccines

The growing prospect of avian influenza viruses achieving sustained interhuman transmission, combined with the recent emergence of a novel swine-origin A/H1N1 influenza strain, has brought the issue of influenza vaccine production capacity into sharp focus. It is becoming increasingly clear that traditional egg-based manufacturing processes may be insufficient to meet global vaccine demands in a pandemic situation that is caused by a highly pathogenic influenza virus. This review introduces the concepts of modern, cell culture-derived influenza vaccines and their manufacture, and explains the advantages of these vaccines in terms of both speed and efficiency of production as well as immunogenic efficacy. Vaccine production technologies using the mammalian cell lines Vero, MDCK and PER.C6, as well as the baculovirus/insect cell platform, are described in detail. Clinical data are provided from cell culture-derived vaccines that are at an advanced stage of development, and insights are provided into recent developments in the preclinical evaluation of more experimental technologies.

The role of veterinary epidemiology in combating infectious animal diseases on a global scale: the impact of training and outreach programs

The effectiveness of detection and control of highly contagious animal diseases is dependent on a solid understanding of their nature and implementation of scientifically sound methods by people who are well trained. The implementation of specific detection methods and tools requires training and application in natural as well as field conditions. The aim of this paper is to present the design and implementation of training in disease investigation and basic veterinary epidemiology in selected countries using the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 Asia strain as a disease detection model. Indonesia, Egypt, Nigeria, Turkey, and Vietnam were each identified as either a priority country where AI was spreading rapidly or a country at risk for infection. In each of these countries, a training program on epidemiological concepts, field investigation methodology, and detection of H5N1 Asia strain cases was conducted. This report includes the impact of these training sessions on national animal health programs, including follow-up activities of animal health officers who went through these training sessions.

Stable non-synonymous substitutions on NS gene (NS1 and NS2 proteins) of Qinghai Lake H5N1 influenza virus (Clade 2.2) after successive passages in Muscovy ducks

Although worldwide concern has been raised since the large-scale outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds at Qinghai Lake, China in 2005, the factors responsible for the ability to kill waterfowl remain unclear. The why and how questions of the H5N1 virus species-jump into its reservoir host need to be answered. In this report we test the pathogenicity and adaptation of Qinghai Lake (Clade 2.2) isolate to Muscovy ducks for further understanding of this virus. The isolate was highly pathogenic in ducks and retained its high pathogenicity even after 20 generations of passage in ducks. During the process of serial passages, only the NS gene developed non-synonymous substitutions, which caused two mutations in NS1 protein (Val23Ala and Leu207Pro) and one in NS2 (Phe55Leu). These mutations persisted immutably through all subsequent passages and the pathogenicity remained high, implying that highly pathogenic H5N1 virus remains stable in aquatic birds through oral transmission. Although the exact functions of these mutations are not known, our results provide an important foundation for further understanding the characteristics of the Qinghai Lake isolates.

The special neuraminidase stalk-motif responsible for increased virulence and pathogenesis of H5N1 influenza A virus

The variation of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus results in gradually increased virulence in poultry, and human cases continue to accumulate. The neuraminidase (NA) stalk region of influenza virus varies considerably and may associate with its virulence. The NA stalk region of all N1 subtype influenza A viruses can be divided into six different stalk-motifs, H5N1/2004-like (NA-wt), WSN-like, H5N1/97-like, PR/8-like, H7N1/99-like and H5N1/96-like. The NA-wt is a special NA stalk-motif which was first observed in H5N1 influenza virus in 2000, with a 20-amino acid deletion in the 49^th to 68^th positions of the stalk region. Here we show that there is a gradual increase of the special NA stalk-motif in H5N1 isolates from 2000 to 2007, and notably, the special stalk-motif is observed in all 173 H5N1 human isolates from 2004 to 2007. The recombinant H5N1 virus with the special stalk-motif possesses the highest virulence and pathogenicity in chicken and mice, while the recombinant viruses with the other stalk-motifs display attenuated phenotype. This indicates that the special stalk-motif has contributed to the high virulence and pathogenicity of H5N1 isolates since 2000. The gradually increasing emergence of the special NA stalk-motif in H5N1 isolates, especially in human isolates, deserves attention by all.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated kinase RSK2 plays a role in innate immune responses to influenza virus infection

Viral infections induce signaling pathways in mammalian cells that stimulate innate immune responses and affect cellular processes, such as apoptosis, mitosis, and differentiation. Here, we report that the ribosomal protein S6 kinase alpha 3 (RSK2), which is activated through the "classical" mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, plays a role in innate immune responses to influenza virus infection. RSK2 functions in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation but was not known to play a role in the cellular antiviral response. We have found that knockdown of RSK2 enhanced viral polymerase activity and growth of influenza viruses. Influenza virus infection stimulates NK-kappaB- and beta interferon-dependent promoters. This stimulation was reduced in RSK2 knockdown cells, suggesting that RSK2 executes its effect through innate immune response pathways. Furthermore, RSK2 knockdown suppressed influenza virus-induced phosphorylation of the double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase PKR, a known antiviral protein. These findings establish a role for RSK2 in the cellular antiviral response.

Differential host gene expression in cells infected with highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza viruses

In order to understand the molecular mechanisms by which different strains of avian influenza viruses overcome host response in birds, we used a complete chicken genome microarray to compare early gene expression levels in chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF) infected with two avian influenza viruses (AIV), A/CK/Hong Kong/220/97 and A/Egret/Hong Kong/757.2/02, with different replication characteristics. Gene ontology revealed that the genes with altered expression are involved in many vital functional classes including protein metabolism, translation, transcription, host defense/immune response, ubiquitination and the cell cycle. Among the immune-related genes, MEK2, MHC class I, PDCD10 and Bcl-3 were selected for further expression analysis at 24 hpi using semi-quantitive RT-PCR. Infection of CEF with A/Egret/Hong Kong/757.2/02 resulted in a marked repression of MEK2 and MHC class I gene expression levels. Infection of CEF with A/CK/Hong Kong/220/97 induced an increase of MEK2 and a decrease in PDCD10 and Bcl-3 expression levels. The expression levels of alpha interferon (IFN-alpha), myxovirus resistance 1 (Mx1) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) were also analyzed at 24 hpi, showing higher expression levels of all of these genes after infection with A/CK/Hong Kong/220/97 compared to A/Egret/Hong Kong/757.2/02. In addition, comparison of the NS1 sequences of the viruses revealed amino acid differences that may explain in part the differences in IFN-alpha expression observed. Microarray gene expression analysis has proven to be a useful tool on providing important insights into how different AIVs affect host gene expression and how AIVs may use different strategies to evade host response and replicate in host cells.

Minute excretion of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus A/chicken/Indonesia/2003 (H5N1) from experimentally infected domestic pigeons (Columbia livia) and lack of transmission to sentinel chickens

Five out of sixteen domestic pigeons, inoculated oculo-nasally with a high dose of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus A/chicken/Indonesia/2003 (H5N1), developed clinical signs and neurological lesions leading to death of three pigeons 5-7 days after inoculation [Klopfleisch, R., Werner, O., Mundt, E., Harder, T. & Teifke, J. P. (2006). Vet Pathol 43, 463-470]. H5N1 virus was recovered from all organs sampled from two apparently healthy pigeons at 3 days post-infection and from the three pigeons which died spontaneously. All surviving birds shed virus via the oropharynx and the cloaca at minimal titres and seroconverted. Sentinel chickens reared in direct contact to the pigeons neither developed clinical signs nor seroconverted to the H5N1 virus.

On the role of asymptomatic infection in transmission dynamics of infectious diseases

We propose a compartmental disease transmission model with an asymptomatic (or subclinical) infective class to study the role of asymptomatic infection in the transmission dynamics of infectious diseases with asymptomatic infectives, e.g., influenza. Analytical results are obtained using the respective ratios of susceptible, exposed (incubating), and asymptomatic classes to the clinical symptomatic infective class. Conditions are given for bistability of equilibria to occur, where trajectories with distinct initial values could result in either a major outbreak where the disease spreads to the whole population or a lesser outbreak where some members of the population remain uninfected. This dynamic behavior did not arise in a SARS model without asymptomatic infective class studied by Hsu and Hsieh (SIAM J. Appl. Math. 66(2), 627–647, 2006). Hence, this illustrates that depending on the initial states, control of a disease outbreak with asymptomatic infections may involve more than simply reducing the reproduction number. Moreover, the presence of asymptomatic infections could result in either a positive or negative impact on the outbreak, depending on different sets of conditions on the parameters, as illustrated with numerical simulations. Biological interpretations of the analytical and numerical results are also given.

Enhanced growth of seed viruses for H5N1 influenza vaccines

Seed viruses used to produce inactivated H5N1 influenza vaccines are recombinant viruses with modified avirulent-type hemagglutinin (HA) and intact neuraminidase (NA) genes, both derived from an H5N1 isolate, and all remaining genes from the PR8 strain, which grows well in eggs. However, some reassortants grow suboptimally in eggs, imposing obstacles to timely, cost-efficient vaccine production. Here, we demonstrate that our PR8 strain supports better in ovo growth than the PR8 strain used for the WHO-recommended seed virus, NIBRG-14. Moreover, inclusion of an alternative NA protein further enhanced viral growth in eggs. These findings suggest that our H5N1 vaccine candidates would increase the availability of H5N1 vaccine doses at the onset of a new pandemic.

Pathology of natural infections by H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in mute (Cygnus olor) and whooper (Cygnus cygnus) swans

Mortality in wild aquatic birds due to infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) is a rare event. During the recent outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Germany, mortality due to H5N1 HPAIV was observed among mute and whooper swans as part of a rapid spread of this virus. In contrast to earlier reports, swans appeared to be highly susceptible and represented the mainly affected species. We report gross and histopathology and distribution of influenza virus antigen in mute and whooper swans that died after natural infection with H5N1 HPAIV. At necropsy, the most reliable lesions were multifocal hemorrhagic necrosis in the pancreas, pulmonary congestion and edema, and subepicardial hemorrhages. Major histologic lesions were acute pancreatic necrosis, multifocal necrotizing hepatitis, and lymphoplasmacytic encephalitis with neuronal necrosis. Adrenals displayed consistently scattered cortical and medullary necrosis. In spleen and Peyer's patches, mild lymphocyte necrosis was present. Immunohistochemical demonstration of HPAIV nucleoprotein in pancreas, adrenals, liver, and brain was strongly consistent with histologic lesions. In the brain, a large number of neurons and glial cells, especially Purkinje cells, showed immunostaining. Occasionally, ependymal cells of the spinal cord were also positive. In the lungs, influenza virus antigen was identified in a few endothelial cells but not within pneumocytes. The infection of the central nervous system supports the view that the neurotropism of H5N1 HPAIV leads to nervous disturbances with loss of orientation. More investigations are necessary to clarify the mechanisms of the final circulatory failure, lung edema, and rapid death of the swans.

Thermal inactivation of H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza virus in naturally infected chicken meat

Thermal inactivation of the H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) virus strain A/chicken/Korea/ES/2003 (Korea/03) was quantitatively measured in thigh and breast meat harvested from infected chickens. The Korea/03 titers were recorded as the mean embryo infectious dose (EID50) and were 10(8.0) EID50/g in uncooked thigh samples and 10(7.5) EID50/g in uncooked breast samples. Survival curves were constructed for Korea/03 in chicken thigh and breast meat at 1 degrees C intervals for temperatures of 57 to 61 degrees C. Although some curves had a slightly biphasic shape, a linear model provided a fair-to-good fit at all temperatures, with R2 values of 0.85 to 0.93. Stepwise linear regression revealed that meat type did not contribute significantly to the regression model and generated a single linear regression equation for z-value calculations and D-value predictions for Korea/03 in both meat types. The z-value and the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval for the z-value were 4.64 and 5.32 degrees C, respectively. From the lowest temperature to the highest, the predicted D-values and the upper limits of their 95% prediction intervals (conservative D-values) for 57 to 61 degrees C were 241.2 and 321.1 s, 146.8 and 195.4 s, 89.3 and 118.9 s, 54.4 and 72.4 s, and 33.1 and 44.0 s. D-values and conservative D-values predicted for higher temperatures were 0.28 and 0.50 s for 70 degrees C and 0.041 and 0.073 s for 73.9 degrees C. Calculations with the conservative D-values predicted that cooking chicken meat according to current U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service time-temperature guidelines will inactivate Korea/03 in a heavily contaminated meat sample, such as those tested in this study, with a large margin of safety.

[The spectrum of vetebrates' cell lines sensitive to highly pathogenic influenza A/tern/SA/61 (H5N3) and A/duck/Novosibirsk/56/05 (H5N1) viruses]

The reproduction of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A/tern/SA/61 H5N3 and A/ducklNovosibirsk/56/05 H5NI viruses was comparatively studied in 16 human and animal cell lines. The strain A/duck/Novosibirsk/56/05 was shown to have a wider range of hosts. The most sensitive transplanted cell lines were found to be feline fibroblasts (CC-81), primarily trypsin-treated cells of chick embryonic fibroblasts (CEF), the kidney of dogs (MDCK), pigs (SPEV), monkeys (Vero), the human conjunctiva (1-5C-4), and, to a lesser extent, the feline kidney (CRFK). Unlike the strain A/tern/South Africa/61, that A/duck/Novosibirsk/56105 replicated in the polecat brain cells (Mpf).

Role of host cytokine responses in the pathogenesis of avian H5N1 influenza viruses in mice

Highly pathogenic avian H5N1 influenza viruses are now widespread in poultry in Asia and have recently spread to some African and European countries. Interspecies transmission of these viruses to humans poses a major threat to public health. To better understand the basis of pathogenesis of H5N1 viruses, we have investigated the role of proinflammatory cytokines in transgenic mice deficient in interleukin-6 (IL-6), macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha (MIP-1alpha), IL-1 receptor (IL-1R), or tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1) by the use of two avian influenza A viruses isolated from humans, A/Hong Kong/483/97 (HK/483) and A/Hong Kong/486/97 (HK/486), which exhibit high and low lethality in mice, respectively. The course of disease and the extent of virus replication and spread in IL-6- and MIP-1alpha-deficient mice were not different from those observed in wild-type mice during acute infection with 1,000 50% mouse infective doses of either H5N1 virus. However, with HK/486 virus, IL-1R-deficient mice exhibited heightened morbidity and mortality due to infection, whereas no such differences were observed with the more virulent HK/483 virus. Furthermore, TNFR1-deficient mice exhibited significantly reduced morbidity following challenge with either H5N1 virus but no difference in viral replication and spread or ultimate disease outcome compared with wild-type mice. These results suggest that TNF-alpha may contribute to morbidity during H5N1 influenza virus infection, while IL-1 may be important for effective virus clearance in nonlethal H5N1 disease.

Recent H5N1 avian influenza A virus increases rapidly in virulence to mice after a single passage in mice

To evaluate the potential pathogenicity to mammals of the recent H5N1 avian influenza A virus, viruses recovered from dead mice infected with A/chicken/Yamaguchi/7/2004 isolated in Japan were examined. All recovered viruses from the brains of dead mice infected with this strain (without any prior adaptation to mice) had substituted the amino acid at position 627 of the PB2 protein from glutamic acid to lysine. Their mouse lethality had increased by approximately 5 x 10(4) times over that of the original virus. Histopathological analysis reinforced the finding that these variants caused more rapid and severe damage to mice than the original virus. This revealed that it might be useful to characterize the recovered virus to assess its potential pathogenicity to mammals.

Risk factors for human infection with avian influenza A H5N1, Vietnam, 2004

To evaluate risk factors for human infection with influenza A subtype H5N1, we performed a matched case-control study in Vietnam. We enrolled 28 case-patients who had laboratory-confirmed H5N1 infection during 2004 and 106 age-, sex-, and location-matched control-respondents. Data were analyzed by matched-pair analysis and multivariate conditional logistic regression. Factors that were independently associated with H5N1 infection were preparing sick or dead poultry for consumption < or =7 days before illness onset (matched odds ratio [OR] 8.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.98-81.99, p = 0.05), having sick or dead poultry in the household < or =7 days before illness onset (matched OR 4.94, 95% CI 1.21-20.20, p = 0.03), and lack of an indoor water source (matched OR 6.46, 95% CI 1.20-34.81, p = 0.03). Factors not significantly associated with infection were raising healthy poultry, preparing healthy poultry for consumption, and exposure to persons with an acute respiratory illness.

A Bayesian dynamic model for influenza surveillance

The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic, the growing fear of an influenza pandemic and the recent shortage of flu vaccine highlight the need for surveillance systems able to provide early, quantitative predictions of epidemic events. We use dynamic Bayesian networks to discover the interplay among four data sources that are monitored for influenza surveillance. By integrating these different data sources into a dynamic model, we identify in children and infants presenting to the pediatric emergency department with respiratory syndromes an early indicator of impending influenza morbidity and mortality. Our findings show the importance of modelling the complex dynamics of data collected for influenza surveillance, and suggest that dynamic Bayesian networks could be suitable modelling tools for developing epidemic surveillance systems.

Neurotropism of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus A/chicken/Indonesia/2003 (H5N1) in experimentally infected pigeons (Columbia livia f. domestica)

This investigation assessed the susceptibility of experimentally infected pigeons to the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N1 that caused recent outbreaks of avian influenza in birds and humans in several countries of Asia. For this purpose 14 pigeons were infected ocularly and nasally with 10(8) EID50 and clinical signs were recorded and compared with five chickens infected simultaneously as positive controls. The chickens demonstrated anorexia, depression, and 100% mortality within 2 days postinoculation. Three of the pigeons died after a history of depression and severe neurological signs consisting of paresis to paralysis, mild enteric hemorrhage, resulting in a mortality of 21%. Gross lesions in these pigeons were mild and inconsistent. Occasionally subcutaneous hyperemia and hemorrhage and cerebral malacia were observed. Microscopic lesions and detection of viral antigen were confined to the central nervous system of these pigeons. In the cerebrum and to a minor extent in the brain stem a lymphohistiocytic meningoencephalitis with disseminated neuronal and glial cell necrosis, perivascular cuffing, glial nodules, and in one bird focally extensive liquefactive necrosis could be observed. The remaining nine pigeons showed neither clinical signs nor gross or histological lesions associated with avian influenza, although seroconversion against H5 indicated that they had been infected. These results confirm that pigeons are susceptible to HPAIV A/chicken/Indonesia/2003 (H5N1) and that the disease is associated with the neurotropism of this virus. Although sentinel chickens and most pigeons did not develop disease, further experiments have to elucidate whether or not Columbiformes are involved in transmission and spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Pathology of fatal highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus infection in large-billed crows (Corvus macrorhynchos) during the 2004 outbreak in Japan

Highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza viruses were isolated in 9 large-billed crows that died in Kyoto and Osaka prefectures in Japan from March to April in 2004. We studied 3 of the 9 crows using standard histologic methods, immunohistochemistry, and virus isolation. The most prominent lesions were gross patchy areas of reddish discoloration in the pancreas. The consistent histologic lesions included severe multifocal necrotizing pancreatitis, focal degeneration and necrosis of neuron and glial cells in the central nervous system, and focal degeneration of cardiac myocytes. All of these tissues contained immunohistochemically positive influenza viral antigens. The virus was isolated from the brain, lung, heart, liver, spleen, and kidney of the crows examined. Thus we concluded that highly pathogenic avian influenza virus was associated with clinical disease, severe pathologic changes, and death in the 3 crows.

[Biological significance of amino acids deletion in NA stalk of H5N1 avian influenza virus]

It has been reported that NA gene of some H1N1 Influenza A virus strains isolated since 1933 is characterized by a deletion of 11 to 16 amino acids in the stalk. The spontaneous mutant in NA stalk of H1N1 virus lacks enzyme activity with large substrate (fetuin) but not with small substrate (sialyllactose). Recently, H5N1 virus also has been found that NA has the same unique mutation in the stalk, a deletion of 15 to 20 amino acids. However, biological significance of this mutation has not yet been reported. In order to investigate biological significance of the amino acids deletion in NA stalk of H5N1, five reassorted H5N1/PR8 viruses were generated via eight-plasmid based reverse genetics system. These five viruses were named 506, m506-, 646, m646+ and 196, respectively. The six internal genes of recombinants were all from A/PR8/34(H1N1), and HA gene was from A/G/JS/03(H5N1), however, they had different NA genes. 506 and m506- held NA fragments derived from A/G/HD/00(H5N1), and the former was distinguished with a longer NA which had no 20 amino acids deletion in the stalk. 646 and m646+ held NA fragments from A/G/JS/03(H5N1), and the NA stalk of m646+ was 20 amino acids longer than that of 646. The NA of 196 was derived from A/PR8/34 which had 15 amino acids deletion in its stalk. Biological characteristics of these viruses showed that recombinants with different NA length could grow well in embryonated SPF eggs, and their EID50, MDT, and viral titers were similar. However, the length of NA was related to the capacity of eluting viruses from erythrocytes for 506 and 646+ which holding longer NA stalks eluted from erythrocytes more quickly than m506-, 646 and 196 did. Moreover, 15 or 20 amino acids deletion in NA stalk had a pronounced effect on virus growth ability in MDCK cells. Viral titers in supernatant of MDCK infected with m506- or 646 were 10 to 100 folds higher than those infected by 506 or m646+. And the plaque size of m506- and 646 were larger than that of 506 and m646+. The results reveals that H5N1 AIV with amino acids deletion in NA stalk would expand its host range. The unique amino acids deletion in NA molecule of H5N1 may be associated with the adaptation of virus to terrestrial poultry or the increasing ability of interspecies transmission.

A multiplex RT-PCR for detection of type A influenza virus and differentiation of avian H5, H7, and H9 hemagglutinin subtypes

A multiplex reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (mRT-PCR) was developed and optimized for the detection of type A influenza virus; the assay simultaneously differentiates avian H5, H7 and H9 hemagglutinin subtypes. Four sets of specific oligonucleotide primers were used in this test for type A influenza virus, H5, H7 and H9 heamagglutinin subtypes. The mRT-PCR DNA products were visualized by gel electrophoresis and consisted of fragments of 860 bp for H5, 634 bp for H7, 488 bp for H9 hemagglutinin subtypes, and 244 bp for type A influenza virus. The common set primers for type A influenza virus were able to amplify a 244 bp DNA band for any of the other subtypes of AIV. The mRT-PCR assay developed in this study was found to be sensitive and specific. Detection limit for PCR-amplified DNA products was 100 pg for the subtypes H5, H7, and H9 and 10 pg for type A influenza virus in all subtypes. No specific amplification bands of the same sizes (860, 634 and 488 bp) could be amplified for RNA of other influenza hemagglutinin subtypes, nor specific amplification bands of type A influenza (244 bp) for other viral or bacterial pathogens.

Reassortment and modification of hemagglutinin cleavage motif of avian/WSN influenza viruses generated by reverse genetics that correlate with attenuation

Avian influenza associated with H9N2 and H5N1 subtypes of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) has raised great concerns in China. To study this problem, reverse genetics has been employed. Three reassortants, rgH9N2, rgH5N1 and rgH5N2, were prepared and compared. Their hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes originated from Chinese AIV isolates of H9N2 or H5N1 subtype, while the rest of their genes were derived from A/WSN/33(H1N1) virus (WSN). In the H5 HA reassortants, the multibasic cleavage site was converted to a monobasic one. The results demonstrated that the reassortants did not produce CPE on MDCK cells in the absence of trypsin, showed egg-adaptation phenotype and stability of HA and NA during consecutive egg passages, and were not lethal to chickens and mice. However, the rgH5N1 reassortant exhibited a residual virulence in terms of lethality to chick embryos and pathogenesis in chickens. It can be concluded that (i) the genetic modification of H5 HA attenuated the H5 reassortants, (ii) the presence of internal WSN proteins contributed to the attenuated properties of the reassortants independently on H5 HA, and (iii) also the overall genome composition contributed to virulence differences. This report provides further contribution of reverse genetics to the knowledge of virulence of influenza viruses.

Avian Influenza Virus H5N1: A Review of Its History and Information Regarding Its Potential to Cause the Next Pandemic

Avian influenza virus H5N1, which has been limited to poultry, now has spread to migrating birds and has emerged in mammals and among the human population. It presents a distinct threat of a pandemic for which the World Health Organization and other organizations are making preparations. This article reviews information about the virus itself and its spread among poultry, migrating birds, mammals, and humans.

The development and characterization of H5 influenza virus vaccines derived from a 2003 human isolate

The pandemic threat posed by highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza A viruses has created an urgent need for vaccines to protect against H5 virus infection. Because pathogenic viruses grow poorly in chicken eggs and their virulence poses a biohazard to vaccine producers, avirulent viruses produced by reverse genetics have become the preferred basis for vaccine production. Here, we investigated two key characteristics of potential H5 vaccine candidates: the hemaggutinin (HA) cleavage site sequence and its modification to attenuate virulence and the choice of background virus to provide a high-growth rate. We produced recombinant (6:2 reassortant) viruses that possessed a series of modified avirulent-type HA and neuraminidase genes, both of which were derived from an H5N1 human isolate. The other genes of these recombinant viruses were derived from donor virus strains known to grow well in eggs: the human strain A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (PR8) or an avian strain. All of the recombinant viruses grew well in eggs, were avirulent in chicks, and protected animals against infection with a wild-type virus. However, one of the recombinant viruses with an avian virus background acquired a mutation in the HA cleavage site sequence that conferred virulence potential to this virus. Moreover, vaccine candidates with the avian virus background were more virulent than those with the human virus background. We conclude that 6:2 recombinant viruses with a PR8 background are more suitable than those with an avian virus background for vaccine development and that the HA cleavage site sequence must be modified to minimize the potential for a vaccine virus to convert to a virulent form.

Characterization of low virulent strains of highly pathogenic A/Hong Kong/156/97 (H5N1) virus in mice after passage in embryonated hens' eggs

Avian influenza A H5N1 viruses were isolated from humans for the first time in Hong Kong in 1997. The virulence of A/Hong Kong/156/97 (HK156) strain in mice was found to change significantly depending on the passage history of the virus. Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell-grown parental virus and three of its clones derived from mouse brain showed high pathogenicity in mice after intranasal or intracerebral infection. In contrast, the egg-derived parental virus HK156-E3 and its cloned viruses were markedly less pathogenic in mice. It appeared that differences in pathogenicity among viruses derived from MDCK cells and eggs were due to their ability or inability to disseminate from the lungs to the brain. Sequence analysis of the entire protein coding regions of all eight RNA genome segments revealed a total of six conserved amino acid differences in the HA1 domain (residue 211) of the HA protein, as well as the PB1 (residues 456 and 712), PA (residue 631), NP (residue 127), and NS1 (residue 101) proteins that correlated with observed changes in virulence and neurovirulence of HK156 virus in mice. Thus it was evident that the passaging of HK156 in embryonated eggs led to the adaptation and selection of variants demonstrating markedly decreased pathogenicity and neurovirulence in mice that appeared to be attributable to specific amino acid changes in the HA and internal proteins.