Genetic compatibility and virulence of reassortants derived from contemporary avian H5N1 and human H3N2 influenza A viruses.

ABSTRACT: The segmented structure of the influenza virus genome plays a pivotal role in its adaptation to new hosts and the emergence of pandemics. Despite concerns about the pandemic threat posed by highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses, little is known about the biological properties of H5N1 viruses that may emerge following reassortment with contemporary human influenza viruses. In this study, we used reverse genetics to generate the 63 possible virus reassortants derived from H5N1 and H3N2 viruses, containing the H5N1 surface protein genes, and analyzed their viability, replication efficiency, and mouse virulence. Specific constellations of avian-human viral genes proved deleterious for viral replication in cell culture, possibly due to disruption of molecular interaction networks. In p

SUBMITTER: Chen LM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2374906 | biostudies-literature | 2008 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature