Reverse Genetics of Influenza Viruses â Applications in Research and Vaccine Design

2008 ◽  
pp. 118-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriele Neumann ◽  
Taisuke Horimoto ◽  
Yoshihiro Kawaoka
Keyword(s):  
Reverse Genetics ◽  
Vaccine Design ◽  
Influenza Viruses

Opposite outcomes of the within-host competition between highly and low pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza viruses in chickens compared to ducks

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Bessière ◽  
Thomas Figueroa ◽  
Amelia Coggon ◽  
Charlotte Foret-Lucas ◽  
Alexandre Houffschmitt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Avian Influenza ◽  
Reverse Genetics ◽  
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza ◽  
Viral Evolution ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
Poultry Production ◽  
Avian Influenza Viruses ◽  
Highly Pathogenic ◽  
Pathogenic Avian Influenza ◽  
Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) emerge from low pathogenic avian influenza viruses (LPAIV) through the introduction of basic amino acids at the hemagglutinin (HA) cleavage site. Following viral evolution, the newly formed HPAIV likely represents a minority variant within the index host, predominantly infected with the LPAIV precursor. Using reverse-genetics engineered H5N8 viruses differing solely at the HA cleavage, we tested the hypothesis that the interaction between the minority HPAIV and the majority LPAIV could modulate the risk of HPAIV emergence and that the nature of the interaction could depend on the host species. In chickens, we observed that the H5N8 LP increased H5N8 HP replication and pathogenesis. By contrast, the H5N8 LP antagonized H5N8 HP replication and pathogenesis in ducks. Ducks mounted a more potent antiviral innate immune response than chickens against the H5N8 LP , which correlated with H5N8 HP inhibition. These data provide experimental evidence that HPAIV may be more likely to emerge in chickens than in ducks and underscore the importance of within-host viral variants interactions in viral evolution. IMPORTANCE Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses represent a threat to poultry production systems and to human health because of their impact on food security and because of their zoonotic potential. It is therefore crucial to better understand how these viruses emerge. Using a within-host competition model between highly and low pathogenic avian influenza viruses, we provide evidence that highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses could be more likely to emerge in chickens than in ducks. These results have important implications for highly pathogenic avian influenza virus emergence prevention and they underscore the importance of within-host viral variants interactions in virus evolution.

scholarly journals Two Live Attenuated Vaccines against Recent Low–and Highly Pathogenic H7N9 Influenza Viruses Are Safe and Immunogenic in Ferrets

Vaccines ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larisa Rudenko ◽  
Irina Kiseleva ◽  
Elena Krutikova ◽  
Ekaterina Stepanova ◽  
Irina Isakova-Sivak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Phase I ◽  
Reverse Genetics ◽  
Vaccine Candidate ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
Phase I Clinical Trial ◽  
World Health ◽  
Histological Data ◽  
Health Organization

Influenza H7N9 virus is a potentially pandemic subtype to which most people are immunologically naïve. To be better prepared for the potential occurrence of an H7N9 pandemic, in 2017 the World Health Organization recommended developing candidate vaccine viruses from two new H7N9 viruses, A/Guangdong/17SF003/2016 (A/GD) and A/Hong Kong/125/2017 (A/HK). This report describes the development of live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) candidates against A/GD and A/HK viruses and study of their safety and immunogenicity in the ferret model in order to choose the most promising one for a phase I clinical trial. The A/HK-based vaccine candidate (A/17/HK) was developed by classical reassortment in eggs. The A/GD-based vaccine candidate (A/17/GD) was generated by reverse genetics. Ferrets were vaccinated with two doses of LAIV or phosphate-buffered saline. Both H7N9 LAIVs tested were safe for ferrets, as shown by absence of clinical signs, and by virological and histological data; they were immunogenic after a single vaccination. These results provide a compelling argument for further testing of these vaccines in volunteers. Since the A/HK virus represents the cluster that has caused the majority of human cases, and because the A/HK-based LAIV candidate was developed by classical reassortment, this is the preferred candidate for a phase I clinical trial.

scholarly journals An R195K Mutation in the PA-X Protein Increases the Virulence and Transmission of Influenza A Virus in Mammalian Hosts

2020 ◽  
Vol 94 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yipeng Sun ◽  
Zhe Hu ◽  
Xuxiao Zhang ◽  
Mingyue Chen ◽  
Zhen Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Avian Influenza ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Reverse Genetics ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Gene Segment ◽  
Genetic Alterations ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
Interspecies Transmission ◽  
Adaptive Mutation ◽  
Human Origin

ABSTRACT In the 21st century, the emergence of H7N9 and H1N1/2009 influenza viruses, originating from animals and causing severe human infections, has prompted investigations into the genetic alterations required for cross-species transmission. We previously found that replacement of the human-origin PA gene segment in avian influenza virus (AIV) could overcome barriers to cross-species transmission. Recently, it was reported that the PA gene segment encodes both the PA protein and a second protein, PA-X. Here, we investigated the role of PA-X. We found that an H9N2 avian influenza reassortant virus bearing a human-origin H1N1/2009 PA gene was attenuated in mice after the loss of PA-X. Reverse genetics analyses of PA-X substitutions conserved in human influenza viruses indicated that R195K, K206R, and P210L substitutions conferred significantly increased replication and pathogenicity on H9N2 virus in mice and ferrets. PA-X R195K was present in all human H7N9 and H1N1/2009 viruses and predominated in human H5N6 viruses. Compared with PA-X 195R, H7N9 influenza viruses bearing PA-X 195K showed increased replication and transmission in ferrets. We further showed that PA-X 195K enhanced lung inflammatory responses, potentially due to decreased host shutoff function. A competitive transmission study in ferrets indicated that 195K provides a replicative advantage over 195R in H1N1/2009 viruses. In contrast, PA-X 195K did not influence the virulence of H9N2 AIV in chickens, suggesting that the effects of the substitution were mammal specific. Therefore, future surveillance efforts should scrutinize this region of PA-X because of its potential impact on cross-species transmission of influenza viruses. IMPORTANCE Four influenza pandemics in humans (the Spanish flu of 1918 [H1N1], the Asian flu of 1957 [H2N2], the Hong Kong flu of 1968 [H3N2], and the swine origin flu of 2009 [H1N1]) are all proposed to have been caused by avian or swine influenza viruses that acquired virulence factors through adaptive mutation or reassortment with circulating human viruses. Currently, influenza viruses circulating in animals are repeatedly transmitted to humans, posing a significant threat to public health. However, the molecular properties accounting for interspecies transmission of influenza viruses remain unclear. In the present study, we demonstrated that PA-X plays an important role in cross-species transmission of influenza viruses. At least three human-specific amino acid substitutions in PA-X dramatically enhanced the adaptation of animal influenza viruses in mammals. In particular, PA-X 195K might have contributed to cross-species transmission of H7N9, H5N6, and H1N1/2009 viruses from animal reservoirs to humans.

scholarly journals Influenza B Virus NS1-Truncated Mutants: Live-Attenuated Vaccine Approach

2008 ◽  
Vol 82 (21) ◽  
pp. 10580-10590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rong Hai ◽  
Luis Martínez-Sobrido ◽  
Kathryn A. Fraser ◽  
Juan Ayllon ◽  
Adolfo García-Sastre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reverse Genetics ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
Influenza B Virus ◽  
Influenza B ◽  
Type I ◽  
Live Attenuated Vaccine ◽  
Live Virus ◽  
B Virus

ABSTRACT Type B influenza viruses can cause substantial morbidity and mortality in the population, and vaccination remains by far the best means of protection against infections with these viruses. Here, we report the construction of mutant influenza B viruses for potential use as improved live-virus vaccine candidates. Employing reverse genetics, we altered the NS1 gene, which encodes a type I interferon (IFN) antagonist. The resulting NS1 mutant viruses induced IFN and, as a consequence, were found to be attenuated in vitro and in vivo. The absence of pathogenicity of the NS1 mutants in both BALB/c and C57BL/6 PKR−/− mice was confirmed. We also provide evidence that influenza B virus NS1 mutants induce a self-adjuvanted immune response and confer effective protection against challenge with both homologous and heterologous B virus strains in mice.

scholarly journals The Future of Influenza Vaccines: A Historical and Clinical Perspective

Vaccines ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Bouvier
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Song Dynasty ◽  
Empirical Process ◽  
Vaccine Design ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
Influenza Vaccines ◽  
Clinical Perspective ◽  
Rational Vaccine Design ◽  
Sterilizing Immunity

For centuries, the development of vaccines to prevent infectious disease was an empirical process. From smallpox variolation in Song dynasty China, through the polysaccharide capsule vaccines developed in the 1970s, vaccines were made either from the pathogen itself, treated in some way to render it attenuated or non-infectious, or from a closely related non-pathogenic strain. In recent decades, new scientific knowledge and technologies have enabled rational vaccine design in a way that was unimaginable before. However, vaccines optimal against some infectious diseases, influenza among them, have remained elusive. This review will highlight the challenges that influenza viruses pose for rational vaccine design. In particular, it will consider the clinically beneficial endpoints, beyond complete sterilizing immunity, that have been achieved with vaccines against other infectious diseases, as well as the barriers to achieving similar success against influenza.

scholarly journals Mapping of a Novel H3-Specific Broadly Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibody Targeting the Hemagglutinin Globular Head Isolated from an Elite Influenza Virus-Immunized Donor Exhibiting Serological Breadth

2019 ◽  
Vol 94 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Qiu ◽  
Svetlana Stegalkina ◽  
Jianxin Zhang ◽  
Ekaterina Boudanova ◽  
Anna Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Virus ◽  
Sialic Acid ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Vaccine Design ◽  
Binding Pocket ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
Antigenic Drift ◽  
Human Antibody ◽  
Sialic Acid Binding ◽  
Globular Head

ABSTRACT The discovery of potent and broadly protective influenza virus epitopes could lead to improved vaccines that are resistant to antigenic drift. Here, we describe human antibody C585, isolated from a vaccinee with remarkable serological breadth as measured by hemagglutinin inhibition (HAI). C585 binds and neutralizes multiple H3N2 strains isolated between 1968 and 2016, including strains that emerged up to 4 years after B cells were isolated from the vaccinated donor. The crystal structure of C585 Fab in complex with the HA from A/Switzerland/9715293/2013 (H3N2) shows that the antibody binds to a novel and well-conserved epitope on the globular head of H3 HA and that it differs from other antibodies not only in its epitope but in its binding geometry and hypermutated framework 3 region, thereby explaining its breadth and ability to mediate hemagglutination inhibition across decades of H3N2 strains. The existence of epitopes such as the one elucidated by C585 has implications for rational vaccine design. IMPORTANCE Influenza viruses escape immunity through continuous antigenic changes that occur predominantly on the viral hemagglutinin (HA). Induction of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) targeting conserved epitopes following vaccination is a goal of universal influenza vaccines and advantageous in protecting hosts against virus evolution and antigenic drift. To date, most of the discovered bnAbs bind either to conserved sites in the stem region or to the sialic acid-binding pocket. Generally, antibodies targeting the stem region offer broader breadth with low potency, while antibodies targeting the sialic acid-binding pocket cover narrower breadth but usually have higher potency. In this study, we identified a novel neutralizing epitope in the head region recognized by a broadly neutralizing human antibody against a broad range of H3N2 with high potency. This epitope may provide insights for future universal vaccine design.

scholarly journals Strain-dependent effects of PB1-F2 of triple-reassortant H3N2 influenza viruses in swine

2012 ◽  
Vol 93 (10) ◽  
pp. 2204-2214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindomar Pena ◽  
Amy L. Vincent ◽  
Crystal L. Loving ◽  
Jamie N. Henningson ◽  
Kelly M. Lager ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virus Replication ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Reverse Genetics ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Lung Pathology ◽  
Influenza A Viruses ◽  
Virus Shedding ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Strain Dependent

The PB1-F2 protein of the influenza A viruses (IAVs) can act as a virulence factor in mice. Its contribution to the virulence of IAV in swine, however, remains largely unexplored. In this study, we chose two genetically related H3N2 triple-reassortant IAVs to assess the impact of PB1-F2 in virus replication and virulence in pigs. Using reverse genetics, we disrupted the PB1-F2 ORF of A/swine/Wisconsin/14094/99 (H3N2) (Sw/99) and A/turkey/Ohio/313053/04 (H3N2) (Ty/04). Removing the PB1-F2 ORF led to increased expression of PB1-N40 in a strain-dependent manner. Ablation of the PB1-F2 ORF (or incorporation of the N66S mutation in the PB1-F2 ORF, Sw/99 N66S) affected the replication in porcine alveolar macrophages of only the Sw/99 KO (PB1-F2 knockout) and Sw/99 N66S variants. The Ty/04 KO strain showed decreased virus replication in swine respiratory explants, whereas no such effect was observed in Sw/99 KO, compared with the wild-type (WT) counterparts. In pigs, PB1-F2 did not affect virus shedding or viral load in the lungs for any of these strains. Upon necropsy, PB1-F2 had no effect on the lung pathology caused by Sw/99 variants. Interestingly, the Ty/04 KO-infected pigs showed significantly increased lung pathology at 3 days post-infection compared with pigs infected with the Ty/04 WT strain. In addition, the pulmonary levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and gamma interferon were regulated differentially by the expression of PB1-F2. Taken together, these results indicate that PB1-F2 modulates virus replication, virulence and innate immune responses in pigs in a strain-dependent fashion.

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