title: Functional balance between the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 HA D222 variants.
abstract: D222G/N substitutions in A(H1N1)pdm09 hemagglutinin may be associated with increased binding of viruses causing low respiratory tract infections and human pathogenesis. We assessed the impact of such substitutions on the balance between hemagglutinin binding and neuraminidase cleavage, viral growth and in vivo virulence.Seven viruses with differing polymorphisms at codon 222 (2 with D, 3 G, 1 N and 1 E) were isolated from patients and characterized with regards hemagglutinin binding affinity (Kd) to α-2,6 sialic acid (SAα-2,6) and SAα-2,3 and neuraminidase enzymatic properties (Km, Ki and Vmax). The hemagglutination assay was used to quantitatively assess the balance between hemagglutinin binding and neuraminidase cleavage. Viral growth properties were compared in vitro in MDCK-SIAT1 cells and in vivo in BALB/c mice. Compared with D222 variants, the binding affinity of G222 variants was greater for SAα-2,3 and lower for SAα-2,6, whereas that of both E222 and N222 variants was greater for both SAα-2,3 and SAα-2,6. Mean neuraminidase activity of D222 variants (16.0 nmol/h/10(6)) was higher than that of G222 (1.7 nmol/h/10(6) viruses) and E/N222 variants (4.4 nmol/h/10(6) viruses). The hemagglutination assay demonstrated a deviation from functional balance by E222 and N222 variants that displayed strong hemagglutinin binding but weak neuraminidase activity. This deviation impaired viral growth in MDCK-SIAT1 cells but not infectivity in mice. All strains but one exhibited low infectious dose in mice (MID50) and replicated to high titers in the lung; this D222 strain exhibited a ten-fold higher MID50 and replicated to low titers. Hemagglutinin-neuraminidase balance status had a greater impact on viral replication than hemagglutinin affinity strength, at least in vitro, thus emphasizing the importance of an optimal balance for influenza virus fitness. The mouse model is effective in assessing binding to SAα-2,3 but cannot differentiate SAα-2,3- from SAα-2,6- preference, nor estimate the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase balance in A(H1N1)pdm09 strains.
authors.affiliation: Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Faculté de Médecine Lyon Est, Laboratoire de Virologie et Pathologie Humaine, EA 4610, Lyon, France; Laboratory of Virology, National Influenza Centre (South of France), Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bât A3, Bron, France.
authors.forename: Jean-Sébastien
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Casalegno
authors.affiliation: Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Faculté de Médecine Lyon Est, Laboratoire de Virologie et Pathologie Humaine, EA 4610, Lyon, France; IRBA, Equipe Recherche Lyon, Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ferraris
authors.affiliation: Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Faculté de Médecine Lyon Est, Laboratoire de Virologie et Pathologie Humaine, EA 4610, Lyon, France; Laboratory of Virology, National Influenza Centre (South of France), Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bât A3, Bron, France.
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Escuret
authors.affiliation: Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Faculté de Médecine Lyon Est, Laboratoire de Virologie et Pathologie Humaine, EA 4610, Lyon, France; Laboratory of Virology, National Influenza Centre (South of France), Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bât A3, Bron, France.
authors.forename: Maude
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bouscambert
authors.affiliation: Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Faculté de Médecine Lyon Est, Laboratoire de Virologie et Pathologie Humaine, EA 4610, Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Corinne
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bergeron
authors.affiliation: Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Faculté de Médecine Lyon Est, Laboratoire de Virologie et Pathologie Humaine, EA 4610, Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Laetitia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Linès
authors.affiliation: Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Université Lyon 2, INSA de Lyon, École Centrale de Lyon, LIRIS UMR 5205 CNRS, Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Excoffier
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Virology, National Influenza Centre (South of France), Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bât A3, Bron, France.
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Valette
authors.affiliation: Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Faculté de Médecine Lyon Est, Laboratoire de Virologie et Pathologie Humaine, EA 4610, Lyon, France; Laboratory of Virology, National Influenza Centre (South of France), Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bât A3, Bron, France.
authors.forename: Emilie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Frobert
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Bactériologie-virologie-hygiène, Hôpital Nord, CHU de Saint-Étienne, Saint-Étienne, France.
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pillet
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Bactériologie-virologie-hygiène, Hôpital Nord, CHU de Saint-Étienne, Saint-Étienne, France.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pozzetto
authors.affiliation: Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Faculté de Médecine Lyon Est, Laboratoire de Virologie et Pathologie Humaine, EA 4610, Lyon, France; Laboratory of Virology, National Influenza Centre (South of France), Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bât A3, Bron, France.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lina
authors.affiliation: Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Faculté de Médecine Lyon Est, Laboratoire de Virologie et Pathologie Humaine, EA 4610, Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Michèle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ottmann
mesh_terms: D019943:Amino Acid Substitution; D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D019267:Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity; D061985:Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009439:Neuraminidase / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D020539:Sequence Analysis, Protein; D017423:Sequence Analysis, RNA; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D019267:Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus; D009439:Neuraminidase