All known subtypes of influenza A viruses are maintained in wild waterfowl, the natural reservoir of these viruses. Influenza A viruses are isolated from a variety of animal species with varying morbidity and mortalit...All known subtypes of influenza A viruses are maintained in wild waterfowl, the natural reservoir of these viruses. Influenza A viruses are isolated from a variety of animal species with varying morbidity and mortality rates. More importantly, influenza A viruses cause respiratory disease in humans with potentially fatal outcome. Local or global outbreaks in humans are typically characterized by excess hospitalizations and deaths. In 1997, highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses of the H5N1 subtype emerged in Hong Kong that transmitted to humans, resulting in the first documented cases of human death by avian influenza virus infection. A new outbreak started in July 2003 in poultry in Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand, and highly pathogenic avian H5N1 influenza viruses have since spread throughout Asia and into Europe and Africa. These viruses continue to infect humans with a high mortality rate and cause worldwide concern of a looming pandemic. Moreover, H5N1 virus outbreaks have had devastating effects on the poultry industries throughout Asia. Since H5N1 virus outbreaks appear to originate from Southern China, we here examine H5N1 influenza viruses in China, with an emphasis on their biological properties.展开更多
Dengue virus(DENV) is a mosquito-borne virus belonging to the Flaviviridae family. There are 4 serotypes of DENV that cause human disease through transmission by mosquito vectors. DENV infection results in a broad spe...Dengue virus(DENV) is a mosquito-borne virus belonging to the Flaviviridae family. There are 4 serotypes of DENV that cause human disease through transmission by mosquito vectors. DENV infection results in a broad spectrum of clinical symptoms, ranging from mild fever to dengue hemorrhagic fever(DHF), the latter of which can progress to dengue shock syndrome(DSS) and death. Researchers have made unremitting efforts over the last half-century to understand DHF pathogenesis. DHF is probably caused by multiple factors, such as virus-specific antibodies, viral antigens and host immune responses. This review summarizes the current progress of studies on DHF pathogenesis, which may provide important information for achieving effective control of dengue in the future.展开更多
Influenza A viruses are important human pathogens causing periodic pandemic threats. Nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) protein of influenza A virus (NS1A) shields the virus against host defense. Here, we report the cr...Influenza A viruses are important human pathogens causing periodic pandemic threats. Nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) protein of influenza A virus (NS1A) shields the virus against host defense. Here, we report the crystal structure of NS1A RNA-binding domain (RBD) bound to a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) at 1.7A. NS1A RBD forms a homodimer to recognize the major groove of A-form dsRNA in a length-independent mode by its conserved concave surface formed by dimeric anti-parallel a-helices, dsRNA is anchored by a pair of invariable arginines (Arg38) from both monomers by extensive hydrogen bonds. In accordance with the structural observation, isothermal titration calorimetry assay shows that the unique Arg38-Arg38 pair and two Arg35-Arg46 pairs are crucial for dsRNA binding, and that Ser42 and Thr49 are also important for dsRNA binding. Agrobacterium co-infiltration assay further supports that the unique Arg38 pair plays important roles in dsRNA binding in vivo.展开更多
Influenza A virus (H1N1), a genetic reassortment of endemic strains of human, avian and swine flu, has crossed species barrier to human and apparently acquired the capability of human to human transmission. Some str...Influenza A virus (H1N1), a genetic reassortment of endemic strains of human, avian and swine flu, has crossed species barrier to human and apparently acquired the capability of human to human transmission. Some strains of H5N1 subtype are highly virulent because NS 1 protein inhibits antiviral interferon α/β production. Another protein NS2 mediates export of viral ribonucleoprotein from nucleus to the cytoplasm through export signal. In this paper, we have studied structure-function relationships of these proteins of H1N1 subtype and have determined the cause of their pathogenicity. Our results showed that non-conservative mutations slightly stabilized or destabilized structural domains of NS1 or NSI-dsRNA complex, hence slightly increased or decreased the function of NS 1 protein and consequently enhanced or reduced the pathogenicity of the H1N1 virus. NS2 protein of different strains carried non-conservative mutations in different domains, resulting in slight loss of function. These mutations slightly decreased the pathogenicity of the virus. Thus, the results confirm the structure-function relationships of these viral proteins.展开更多
Objective: To evaluate NS1 antigen detection ELISA for the early laboratory diagnosis of dengue virus infection. Methods: The present study was conducted to evaluate the overall positivity of NS1 antigen detection ELI...Objective: To evaluate NS1 antigen detection ELISA for the early laboratory diagnosis of dengue virus infection. Methods: The present study was conducted to evaluate the overall positivity of NS1 antigen detection ELISA and its comparison with viral RNA detection via real time PCR and Ig M antibodies detection by ELISA. Results: A total of 1 270 serum samples were tested 86%(1 097/1 270) were detected positive by one or more than one diagnostic test. Out of 1 270, 64%(807/1 270) were positive by NS1 ELISA and 52%(662/1 270), 51%(646/1 270) were positive by real-time RT-PCR and Ig M ELISA respectively.Conclusions: NS1 antigen detection ELISA is highly suitable diagnostic tools and it also has great value for use in outbreak and epidemic situation.展开更多
基金Acknowledgments We thank Susan Watson for editing the manuscript and those in our laboratories who contributed to the data cited in this review. We also thank Ryo Takano for the preparation of figures. Research in HC's group is supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology, China (2004BA519A-57, 2006BAD06A05). Research in GFG's group is supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology, China (MOST, 2005CB523001 and 2006BAD06A01), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC, Grant #3059934, #30525010) and the US National Institutes of Health (U19 AI051915-05S1). Research in YS's group is supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology, China (MOST, 2005CB523006 and 2006BAD06A15), and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC, Grant #30599433). Research in YK's group is supported by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Public Health Service research grants by CREST and ERATO (Japan Science and Technology Agency), and by grants-in-aid and a contract research fund for the Program of Founding Research Centers for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology of Japan.
文摘All known subtypes of influenza A viruses are maintained in wild waterfowl, the natural reservoir of these viruses. Influenza A viruses are isolated from a variety of animal species with varying morbidity and mortality rates. More importantly, influenza A viruses cause respiratory disease in humans with potentially fatal outcome. Local or global outbreaks in humans are typically characterized by excess hospitalizations and deaths. In 1997, highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses of the H5N1 subtype emerged in Hong Kong that transmitted to humans, resulting in the first documented cases of human death by avian influenza virus infection. A new outbreak started in July 2003 in poultry in Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand, and highly pathogenic avian H5N1 influenza viruses have since spread throughout Asia and into Europe and Africa. These viruses continue to infect humans with a high mortality rate and cause worldwide concern of a looming pandemic. Moreover, H5N1 virus outbreaks have had devastating effects on the poultry industries throughout Asia. Since H5N1 virus outbreaks appear to originate from Southern China, we here examine H5N1 influenza viruses in China, with an emphasis on their biological properties.
文摘Dengue virus(DENV) is a mosquito-borne virus belonging to the Flaviviridae family. There are 4 serotypes of DENV that cause human disease through transmission by mosquito vectors. DENV infection results in a broad spectrum of clinical symptoms, ranging from mild fever to dengue hemorrhagic fever(DHF), the latter of which can progress to dengue shock syndrome(DSS) and death. Researchers have made unremitting efforts over the last half-century to understand DHF pathogenesis. DHF is probably caused by multiple factors, such as virus-specific antibodies, viral antigens and host immune responses. This review summarizes the current progress of studies on DHF pathogenesis, which may provide important information for achieving effective control of dengue in the future.
文摘Influenza A viruses are important human pathogens causing periodic pandemic threats. Nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) protein of influenza A virus (NS1A) shields the virus against host defense. Here, we report the crystal structure of NS1A RNA-binding domain (RBD) bound to a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) at 1.7A. NS1A RBD forms a homodimer to recognize the major groove of A-form dsRNA in a length-independent mode by its conserved concave surface formed by dimeric anti-parallel a-helices, dsRNA is anchored by a pair of invariable arginines (Arg38) from both monomers by extensive hydrogen bonds. In accordance with the structural observation, isothermal titration calorimetry assay shows that the unique Arg38-Arg38 pair and two Arg35-Arg46 pairs are crucial for dsRNA binding, and that Ser42 and Thr49 are also important for dsRNA binding. Agrobacterium co-infiltration assay further supports that the unique Arg38 pair plays important roles in dsRNA binding in vivo.
基金supported by the DBT grant sanction No. BT/PR7507/BID/07/201/2006 to AUK
文摘Influenza A virus (H1N1), a genetic reassortment of endemic strains of human, avian and swine flu, has crossed species barrier to human and apparently acquired the capability of human to human transmission. Some strains of H5N1 subtype are highly virulent because NS 1 protein inhibits antiviral interferon α/β production. Another protein NS2 mediates export of viral ribonucleoprotein from nucleus to the cytoplasm through export signal. In this paper, we have studied structure-function relationships of these proteins of H1N1 subtype and have determined the cause of their pathogenicity. Our results showed that non-conservative mutations slightly stabilized or destabilized structural domains of NS1 or NSI-dsRNA complex, hence slightly increased or decreased the function of NS 1 protein and consequently enhanced or reduced the pathogenicity of the H1N1 virus. NS2 protein of different strains carried non-conservative mutations in different domains, resulting in slight loss of function. These mutations slightly decreased the pathogenicity of the virus. Thus, the results confirm the structure-function relationships of these viral proteins.
文摘Objective: To evaluate NS1 antigen detection ELISA for the early laboratory diagnosis of dengue virus infection. Methods: The present study was conducted to evaluate the overall positivity of NS1 antigen detection ELISA and its comparison with viral RNA detection via real time PCR and Ig M antibodies detection by ELISA. Results: A total of 1 270 serum samples were tested 86%(1 097/1 270) were detected positive by one or more than one diagnostic test. Out of 1 270, 64%(807/1 270) were positive by NS1 ELISA and 52%(662/1 270), 51%(646/1 270) were positive by real-time RT-PCR and Ig M ELISA respectively.Conclusions: NS1 antigen detection ELISA is highly suitable diagnostic tools and it also has great value for use in outbreak and epidemic situation.