The effect of mutations derived from mouse-adapted H3N2 seasonal influenza A virus to pathogenicity and host adaptation.

ABSTRACT: Elucidating the genetic basis of influenza A viruses (IAVs) is important to understand which mutations will determine the virulence and the host range of mammals. Here, seasonal H3N2 influenza was adapted in mice by serial passage and four mutants, each carrying amino acid substitutions related to mouse adaptation in either the PB2, HA, NP, or NA protein, were generated. To confirm the contribution of each gene to enhanced pathogenicity and mouse adaptation, mice were inoculated with the respective variants, and virulence, replication, histopathology, and infectivity were examined. The virus harboring HA mutations displayed increased infection efficiency and replication competence, resulting in higher mortality in mice relative to those infected with wild-type virus. By contrast, the NP D3

SUBMITTER: Choi EJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6952113 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature