title: 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 particular, striking phenotypes were noted with heterologous polymerase subunits, as well as NP and M, or NS. However, nearly one-half of the reassortants replicated with high efficiency in vitro, revealing a high degree of compatibility between avian and human virus genes. Thirteen reassortants displayed virulent phenotypes in mice and may pose the greatest threat for mammalian hosts. Interestingly, one of the most pathogenic reassortants contained avian PB1, resembling the 1957 and 1968 pandemic viruses. Our results reveal the broad spectrum of phenotypes associated with H5N1/H3N2 reassortment and a possible role for the avian PB1 in the emergence of pandemic influenza. These observations have important implications for risk assessment of H5N1 reassortant viruses detected in surveillance programs.
authors.affiliation: Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America.
authors.forename: Li-Mei
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: C Todd
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Nancy J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: Ruben O
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Donis
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001717:Birds; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005814:Genes, Viral; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D053122:Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype / Q000235:genetics*; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / Q000235:genetics*; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology*; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016865:Reassortant Viruses / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D014774:Virulence; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D008565:Membrane Proteins