Annexin A2 (ANXA2) interacts with nonstructural protein 1 and promotes the replication of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus.

BACKGROUND: Non-structural protein 1 (NS1) is a multifunctional protein and a crucial regulatory factor in the replication and pathogenesis of avian influenza virus (AIV). Studies have shown that NS1 can interact with a variety of host proteins to modulate the viral life cycle. We previously generated a monoclonal antibody against NS1 protein; In the current research study, using this antibody, we immunoprecipitated host proteins that interact with NS1 to better understand the roles played by NS1 in communications between virus and host. RESULTS: Co-immunoprecipitation experiments identified annexin A2 (ANXA2) as a target molecule interacting with NS1. Results from confocal laser scanning microscopy indicated that NS1 co-localized with ANXA2 in the cell cytoplasm. Overexpression of ANXA2 significantly increased the titer of H5N1 subtype HPAIV, whereas siRNA-mediated knockdown of ANXA2 markedly inhibited the expression of viral proteins and reduced the progeny virus titer. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that ANXA2 interacts with NS1 and ANXA2 expression increases HPAIV replication.

Identification of a novel linear epitope on the NS1 protein of avian influenza virus.

BACKGROUND: The NS1 protein of avian influenza virus (AIV) is an important virulent factor of AIV. It has been shown to counteract host type I interferon response, to mediate host cell apoptosis, and to regulate the process of protein synthesis. The identification of AIV epitopes on NS1 protein is important for understanding influenza virus pathogenesis. RESULTS: In this paper, we describe the generation, identification, and epitope mapping of a NS1 protein-specific monoclonal antibody (MAb) D9. First, to induce the production of MAbs, BALB/c mice were immunized with a purified recombinant NS1 expressed in E. coli. The spleen cells from the immunized mice were fused with myeloma cells SP2/0, and through screening via indirect ELISAs, a MAb, named D9, was identified. Western blot assay results showed that MAb D9 reacted strongly with the recombinant NS1. Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that this MAb also reacts with NS1 expressed in 293T cells that had been transfected with eukaryotic recombinant plasmids. Results from screening a phage display random 7-mer peptide library with MAb D9 demonstrated that it recognizes phages displaying peptides with the consensus peptide WNLNTV--VS, which closely matches the (182)WNDNTVRVS(190) of AIV NS1. Further identification of the displayed epitope was performed with a set of truncated polypeptides expressed as glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins, and the motif (182)WNDNT(186) was defined as the minimal unit of the linear B cell epitope recognized by MAb D9 in western blot assays. Moreover, homology analysis showed that this epitope is a conserved motif among AIV. CONCLUSIONS: We identified a conserved linear epitope, WNDNT, on the AIV NS1 protein that is recognized by MAb D9. This MAb and its epitope may facilitate future studies on NS1 function and aid the development of new diagnostic methods for AIV detection.

Simultaneous detection of novel H7N9 and other influenza A viruses in poultry by multiplex real-time RT-PCR.

BACKGROUND: A novel reassortant H7N9 influenza A virus has crossed the species barrier from poultry to cause human infections in China in 2013 and 2014. Rapid detection of the novel H7N9 virus is important to detect this virus in poultry and reduce the risk of an epidemic in birds or humans. FINDINGS: In this study, a multiplex real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR) assay for rapid detection of H7N9 and other influenza A viruses was developed. To evaluate the assay, various influenza A viruses, other avian respiratory viruses, and 1,070 samples from poultry were tested. Fluorescence signals corresponding to H7 and N9 subtypes were detected only when H7 and N9 subtypes were present, while the fluorescence signal for the influenza A M gene was detected in all specimens with influenza A strains. The fluorescent signal can be detected in dilutions as low as 56 copies per reaction for the H7, N9 and M genes. Intra- and inter-assay variability tests showed a reliable assay. In poultry samples, a comparison of rRT-PCR with virus isolation showed a high level of agreement. CONCLUSIONS: The multiplex rRT-PCR assay in this study has good specificity, sensitivity and reproducibility, and will be useful for laboratory surveillance and rapid diagnosis of H7N9 and other influenza A viruses.

Identification of a novel B-cell epitope specific for avian leukosis virus subgroup J gp85 protein.

Avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J) is an avian oncogenic retrovirus that has caused severe economic losses in China. Gp85 protein is the main envelope protein and the most variable structural protein of ALV-J. It is also involved in virus neutralization. In this study, a specific monoclonal antibody, 4A3, was produced against the ALV-J gp85 protein. Immunofluorescence assays showed that 4A3 could react with different strains of ALV-J, including the British prototype isolate HPRS103, the American strains, an early Chinese broiler isolate, and layer isolates. A linear epitope on the gp85 protein was identified using a series of partially overlapping fragments spanning the gp85-encoding gene and subjecting them to western blot analysis. The results indicated that (134)AEAELRDFI(142) was the minimal linear epitope that could be recognized by mAb 4A3. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) revealed that chicken anti-ALV-J sera and mouse anti-ALV-J gp85 sera could also recognize the minimal linear epitope. Alignment analysis of amino acid sequences indicated that the epitope was highly conserved among 34 ALV-J strains. Furthermore, the epitope was not conserved among subgroup A and B of avian leukosis virus (ALV). Taken together, the mAb and the identified epitope may provide valuable tools for the development of new diagnostic methods for ALV-J.

Identification of a Highly Conserved Epitope on Avian Influenza Virus Non-Structural Protein 1 Using a Peptide Microarray.

Avian influenza virus (AIV) non-structural protein 1 (NS1) is a multifunctional protein. It is present at high levels in infected cells and can be used for AIV detection and diagnosis. In this study, we generated monoclonal antibody (MAb) D7 against AIV NS1 protein by immunization of BALB/c mice with purified recombinant NS1 protein expressed in Escherichia coli. Isotype determination revealed that the MAb was IgG1/κ-type subclass. To identify the epitope of the MAb D7, the NS1 protein was truncated into a total of 225 15-mer peptides with 14 amino acid overlaps, which were spotted for a peptide microarray. The results revealed that the MAb D7 recognized the consensus DAPF motif. Furthermore, the AIV NS1 protein with the DAPF motif deletion was transiently expressed in 293T cells and failed to react with MAb D7. Subsequently, the DAPF motif was synthesized with an elongated GSGS linker at both the C- and N-termini. The MAb D7 reacted with the synthesized peptide both in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and dot-blot assays. From these results, we concluded that DAPF motif is the epitope of MAb D7. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a 4-mer epitope on the NS1 protein of AIV that can be recognized by MAb using a peptide microarray, which is able to simplify epitope identification, and that could serve as the basis for immune responses against avian influenza.