Dataset Information

A single E627K mutation in the PB2 protein of H9N2 avian influenza virus increases virulence by inducing higher glucocorticoids (GCs) level.

ABSTRACT: While repeated infection of humans and enhanced replication and transmission in mice has attracted more attention to it, the pathogenesis of H9N2 virus was less known in mice. PB(2) residue 627 as the virulent determinant of H5N1 virus is associated with systemic infection and impaired TCR activation, but the impact of this position in H9N2 virus on the host immune response has not been evaluated. In this study, we quantified the cellular immune response to infection in the mouse lung and demonstrate that V(K627) and rTs(E627K) infection caused a significant reduction in the numbers of T cells and inflammatory cells (Macrophage, Neutrophils, Dendritic cells) compared to mice infected with rV(K627E) and Ts(E627). Further, we discovered (i) a high level of thymocyte apoptosis resulted in impaired T cell development, which led to the reduced amount of mature T cells into lung, and (ii) the reduced inflammatory cells entering into lung was attributed to the diminished levels in pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Thereafter, we recognized that higher GCs level in plasma induced by V(K627) and rTs(E627K) infection was associated with the increased apoptosis in thymus and the reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines levels in lung. These data demonstrated that V(K627) and rTs(E627K) infection contributing to higher GCs level would decrease the magnitude of antiviral response in lung, which may be offered as a novel mechanism of enhanced pathogenicity for H9N2 AIV.

SUBMITTER: Tian J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3374829 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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A single E627K mutation in the PB2 protein of H9N2 avian influenza virus increases virulence by inducing higher glucocorticoids (GCs) level.

Tian Jin J Qi Wenbao W Li Xiaokang X He Jun J Jiao Peirong P Zhang Changhui C Liu Guo-Qian GQ Liao Ming M

PloS one 20120613 6

While repeated infection of humans and enhanced replication and transmission in mice has attracted more attention to it, the pathogenesis of H9N2 virus was less known in mice. PB(2) residue 627 as the virulent determinant of H5N1 virus is associated with systemic infection and impaired TCR activation, but the impact of this position in H9N2 virus on the host immune response has not been evaluated. In this study, we quantified the cellular immune response to infection in the mouse lung and demons ...[more]

PMID: 22719870

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Project description:Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) must acquire mammalian-adaptive mutations before they can efficiently replicate in and transmit among humans. The PB2 E627K mutation is known to play a prominent role in the mammalian adaptation of AIVs. The H7N9 AIVs that emerged in 2013 in China easily acquired the PB2 E627K mutation upon replication in humans. Here, we generate a series of reassortant or mutant H7N9 AIVs and test them in mice. We show that the low polymerase activity attributed to the viral PA protein is the intrinsic driving force behind the emergence of PB2 E627K during H7N9 AIV replication in mice. Four residues in the N-terminal region of PA are critical in mediating the PB2 E627K acquisition. Notably, due to the identity of viral PA protein, the polymerase activity and growth of H7N9 AIV are highly sensitive to changes in expression levels of human ANP32A protein. Furthermore, the impaired viral polymerase activity of H7N9 AIV caused by the depletion of ANP32A led to reduced virus replication in Anp32a-/- mice, abolishing the acquisition of the PB2 E627K mutation and instead driving the virus to acquire the alternative PB2 D701N mutation. Taken together, our findings show that the emergence of the PB2 E627K mutation of H7N9 AIV is driven by the intrinsic low polymerase activity conferred by the viral PA protein, which also involves the engagement of mammalian ANP32A.IMPORTANCE The emergence of the PB2 E627K substitution is critical in the mammalian adaptation and pathogenesis of AIV. H7N9 AIVs that emerged in 2013 possess a prominent ability in gaining the PB2 E627K mutation in humans. Here, we demonstrate that the acquisition of the H7N9 PB2 E627K mutation is driven by the low polymerase activity conferred by the viral PA protein in human cells, and four PA residues are collectively involved in this process. Notably, the H7N9 PA protein leads to significant dependence of viral polymerase function on human ANP32A protein, and Anp32a knockout abolishes PB2 E627K acquisition in mice. These findings reveal that viral PA and host ANP32A are crucial for the emergence of PB2 E627K during adaptation of H7N9 AIVs to humans.

Dataset Information

A single E627K mutation in the PB2 protein of H9N2 avian influenza virus increases virulence by inducing higher glucocorticoids (GCs) level.

Publications

A single E627K mutation in the PB2 protein of H9N2 avian influenza virus increases virulence by inducing higher glucocorticoids (GCs) level.

Similar Datasets

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