The antigenic property of the H5N1 avian influenza viruses isolated in central China

[tetano]

The antigenic property of the H5N1 avian influenza viruses isolated in central China

Wei Zou, Jianjiang Ke, Jiping Zhu, Hongbo Zhou and Meilin Jin

For all author emails, please log on.

Virology Journal 2012, 9:148 doi:10.1186/1743-422X-9-148
Published: 6 August 2012
Abstract (provisional)
Background

Three influenza pandemics outbroke in the last century accompanied the viral antigen shift and drift, resulting in the change of antigenic property and the low cross protective ability of the existed antibody to the newly emerged pandemic virus, and eventually the death of millions of people. The antigenic characterizations of the viruses isolated in central China in 2004 and 2006-2007 were investigated in the present study.
Results

Hemagglutinin inhibition assay and neutralization assay displayed differential antigenic characteristics of the viruses isolated in central China in two periods (2004 and 2006-2007). HA genes of the viruses mainly located in two branches in phylogeny analysis. 53 mutations of the deduced amino acids of the HA genes were divided into 4 patterns. Mutations in pattern 2 and 3 showed the main difference between viruses isolated in 2004 and 2006-2007. Meanwhile, most amino acids in pattern 2 and 3 located in the globular head of the HA protein, and some of the mutations evenly distributed at the epitope sites.
Conclusions

The study demonstrated that a major antigenic drift had occurred in the viruses isolated in central China. And monitoring the antigenic property should be the priority in preventing the potential pandemic of H5N1 avian influenza virus.

http://www.virologyj.com/content/pdf/1743-422X-9-148.pdf

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: The antigenic property of the H5N1 avian influenza viruses isolated in central China

more from above link:

Conclusions

The present study reveals that the antigenic epitopes of the HA protein have changed in the prevalent AIVs in central China. The mutations in pattern 2 and 3 might be responsible for the differences of HI and NT activity and the distinct antigenic features of the viruses isolated in the two periods. Particularly, most mutations in pattern 2 and 3 locate in the globular head and distribute at the five epitope sites, and even represent the trend of antigenic drift in 2004?2007. This phenomenon might demonstrate that those sites actually expose to the selected pressure and easily cause antigenic drift. Generally, the H5N1 AIVs are undergoing further antigenic drift and persistent monitoring the epidemiology and antigenic evolution of H5N1 AIV is imperative.