Highly pathogenic avian influenza A virus H5N1 NS1 protein induces caspase-dependent apoptosis in human alveolar basal epithelial cells.
BACKGROUND
It is widely considered that the multifunctional NS1 protein of influenza A viruses contributes significantly disease pathogenesis by modulating a number of virus and host-cell processes, but it is highly controversial whether this non-structural protein is a proapoptotic or antiapoptotic factor in infected cells.


RESULTS
NS1 protein of influenza A/chicken/Jilin/2003 virus, a highly pathogenic H5N1 strain, could induce apoptosis in the carcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cells (A549) by electron microscopic and flow cytometric analyses. NS1 protein-triggered apoptosis in A549 cells is via caspase-dependent pathway.


CONCLUSIONS
Influenza A virus NS1 protein serves as a strong inducer of apoptosis in infected human respiratory epithelial cells and plays a critical role in disease pathogenesis.
Zhang
Chuanfu
C
Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100071, PR China.
Yang
Yutao
Y
Zhou
Xiaowei
X
Liu
Xuelin
X
Song
Hongbin
H
He
Yuxian
Y
Huang
Peitang
P
D017209:Apoptosis; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism*; D002460:Cell Line; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000821:virology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000821:virology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000821:virology*; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000502:physiology*
C085820:INS1 protein, influenza virus; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins; D037521:Virulence Factors; D020169:Caspases