Catalytic and biochemical features of a monoclonal antibody heavy chain, JN1-2, raised against a synthetic peptide with a hemagglutinin molecule of influenza virus

It has long been an important issue to produce a catalytic antibody that possesses the ability to lose the infectivity of a bacteria or virus. The monoclonal antibody JN1-2 was generated using a synthetic peptide (TGLRNGITNKVNSVIEKAA) conjugated with human IgG. The peptide sequence includes the conserved region of the hemagglutinin molecule (HA(1) and HA(2) domains), which locates on the envelope of the influenza virus and plays an important role in influenza A virus infection. The monoclonal antibody specifically reacted with the HA2 domain, not only of H2 but also of an H1 strain of the H1N1 subtype (H1 strain). The heavy chain (JN1-2-H) isolated from the parent antibody showed catalytic activity cleaving the above antigenic peptide with very high turnover (kcat = 26 min(-1)), and it could slowly degrade the recombinant HA(2) domain by the catalytic function. Interestingly, the heavy chain exhibited the ability to reduce the infectivity of type A H1N1 but not type B, indicating specificity to type A. This characteristic monoclonal catalytic antibody heavy chain could suppress the infection of the influenza virus in vitro assays.     

Peculiarities of coagulation kinetics of influenza virus dispersions

The coagulation kinetics of the dispersions of the A/Mississippi/1/85 influenza virus strain in NaCl solutions was studied at various pH values via the flow ultramicroscopy technique. Results obtained for different preparation procedures of virus dispersion are compared and conditions resulted to “superfast” (faster than according to Smoluchowski’s theory) coagulation are determined. Common generalities inherent to the process of superfast coagulation of the A/Mississippi/1/85 influenza virus strain and strains previously studied are found.     

Identification of Novel Influenza Polymerase PB2 Inhibitors Using a Cascade Docking Virtual Screening Approach

To discover novel inhibitors that target the influenza polymerase basic protein 2 (PB2) cap-binding domain (CBD), commercial ChemBridge compound libraries containing 384,796 compounds were screened using a cascade docking of LibDock–LigandFit–GOLD, and 60 compounds were selected for testing with cytopathic effect (CPE) inhibition assays and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay. Ten compounds were identified to rescue cells from H1N1 virus-mediated death at non-cytotoxic concentrations with EC₅₀ values ranging from 0.30 to 67.65 μM and could bind to the PB2 CBD of H1N1 with Kd values ranging from 0.21 to 6.77 μM. Among these, four compounds (11D4, 12C5, 21A5, and 21B1) showed inhibition of a broad spectrum of influenza virus strains, including oseltamivir-resistant ones, the PR/8-R292K mutant (H1N1, recombinant oseltamivir-resistant strain), the PR/8-I38T mutant (H1N1, recombinant baloxavir-resistant strain), and the influenza B/Lee/40 virus strain. These compounds have novel chemical scaffolds and relatively small molecular weights and are suitable for optimization as lead compounds. Based on sequence and structure comparisons of PB2 CBDs of various influenza virus subtypes, we propose that the Phe323/Gln325, Asn429/Ser431, and Arg355/Gly357 mutations, particularly the Arg355/Gly357 mutation, have a marked impact on the selectivities of PB2 CBD-targeted inhibitors of influenza A and influenza B.     

单管高灵敏度等温扩增技术快速检测甲型H1N1流感病毒

建立了单管逆转录环介导等温扩增法(RT-LAMP)快速检测甲型H1N1流感病毒的方法.针对甲型H1N1流感病毒的M基因和HA基因的保守区,设计了两组特异性引物,分别用于筛选甲型流感病毒及鉴定甲型H1N1流感病毒.对反应体系中的关键因素进行优化,反应结果可直接通过浊度或者SYBR Green Ⅰ荧光进行判定.本方法最低可...     

Antioxidant therapy as a potential approach to severe influenza-associated complications

With the appearance of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus 2009 strain we have experienced a new influenza pandemic and many patients have died from severe complications associated with this pandemic despite receiving intensive care. This suggests that a definitive medical treatment for severe influenza-associated complications has not yet been established. Many studies have shown that superoxide anion produced by macrophages infiltrated into the virus-infected organs is implicated in the development of severe influenza-associated complications. Selected antioxidants, such as pyrrolidine dithiocabamate, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, glutathione, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, thujaplicin, resveratrol, (+)-vitisin A, ambroxol, ascorbic acid, 5,7,4-trihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone, catechins, quercetin 3-rhamnoside, iso- quercetin and oligonol, inhibit the proliferation of influenza virus and scavenge superoxide anion. The combination of antioxidants with antiviral drugs synergistically reduces the lethal effects of influenza virus infections. These results suggest that an agent with antiviral and antioxidant activities could be a drug of choice for the treatment of patients with severe influenza-associated complications. This review article updates knowledge of antioxidant therapy as a potential approach to severe influenza-associated complications.     

Discovery of potential M2 channel inhibitors based on the amantadine scaffold via virtual screening and pharmacophore modeling

The M2 channel protein on the influenza A virus membrane has become the main target of the anti-flu drugs amantadine and rimantadine. The structure of the M2 channel proteins of the H3N2 (PDB code 2RLF) and 2009-H1N1 (Genbank accession number GQ385383) viruses may help researchers to solve the drug-resistant problem of these two adamantane-based drugs and develop more powerful new drugs against influenza A virus. In the present study, we searched for new M2 channel inhibitors through a combination of different computational methodologies, including virtual screening with docking and pharmacophore modeling. Virtual screening was performed to calculate the free energies of binding between receptor M2 channel proteins and 200 new designed ligands. After that, pharmacophore analysis was used to identify the important M2 protein-inhibitor interactions and common features of top binding compounds with M2 channel proteins. Finally, the two most potential compounds were determined as novel leads to inhibit M2 channel proteins in both H3N2 and 2009-H1N1 influenza A virus.     

Pharmacophore Mode lingand Virtual Screening to Design the Potential Influenza Virus Endonuclease Inhibitors

Influenza virus endonuclease is an attractive target for antiviral therapy in the treatment of influenza infection. The purpos e of this study is to design a novel antiviral agent with improved biological activities against the influenza virus endonuclease. In this study, chemical feature‐based 3D pharmacophore models were developed from 41 known influenza virus endonuclease inhibitors. The best quantitative pharmacohore model (Hypo 1), which consists of two hydrogen‐bond acceptors and two hydrophobic features, yields the highest correlation coefficient (R = 0.886). Hypo 1 was further validated by the cross validation method and the test set compounds. The application of this model for predicting the activities of 11 known influenza virus endonuclease inhibitors in the test set shows great success. The correlation coefficient of 0.942 and a cross validation of 95;% confidence level prove that this model is reliable in identifying structurally diverse compounds for influenza virus endonuclease inhibition. The most active compound (compound 1) from the training set was docked into the active site of the influenza virus endonuclease as an additional verification that the pharmacophore model is accurate. The docked conformation showed important hydrogen bond interactions between the compound and two amino acids, Lys 134 and Lys 137. After validation, this model was used to screen the NCI chemical database to identify new influenza virus endonuclease inhibitors. Our study shows that the to pranking compound out of the 10 newly identified compounds using fit value ranking has an estimated activity of 0.049 μM. These newly identified lead compounds can be further experimentally validated using in vitro techniques.     

Screening of inhibitors for influenza A virus using high-performance affinity chromatography and combinatorial peptide libraries

The affinity inhibitor of fusion peptide of influenza A virus has been studied using a combination of high-performance affinity chromatography (HPAC) and combinatorial peptide libraries. Fusion peptide (FP) (1-11) of influenza A virus was used as the affinity ligand and immobilized onto the poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) beads. Positional scanning peptide libraries based on antisense peptide strategy and extended peptide libraries were designed and synthesized. The screening was carried out at acidic pH (5.5) in order to imitate the environment of virus fusion. A hendecapeptide FHRKKGRGKHK was identified to have a strong affinity to the FP (1-11). The dissociation constant of the complex of the hendecapeptide and the FP (1-11) is 3.10 x 10(-6) mol l(-1) in a physiological buffer condition. The polypeptide has a fairly inhibitory effect on three different strains of influenza A virus H1N1 subtype.     

Reverse genetic platform for inactivated and live-attenuated influenza vaccine

Influenza vaccine strains have been traditionally developed by annual reassortment between vaccine donor strain and the epidemic virulent strains. The classical method requires screening and genotyping of the vaccine strain among various reassortant viruses, which are usually laborious and time-consuming. Here we developed an efficient reverse genetic system to generate the 6:2 reassortant vaccine virus from cDNAs derived from the influenza RNAs. Thus, cDNAs of the two RNAs coding for surface antigens, haemagglutinin and neuraminidase from the epidemic virus and the 6 internal genes from the donor strain were transfected into cells and the infectious viruses of 6:2 defined RNA ratio were rescued. X-31 virus (a high-growth virus in embryonated eggs) and its cold-adapted strain X-31 ca were judiciously chosen as donor strains for the generation of inactivated vaccine and live-attenuated vaccine, respectively. The growth properties of these recombinant viruses in embryonated chicken eggs and MDCK cell were indistinguishable as compared to those generated by classical reassortment process. Based on the reverse genetic system, we generated 6 + 2 reassortant avian influenza vaccine strains corresponding to the A/Chicken/Korea/MS96 (H9N2) and A/Indonesia/5/2005 (H5N1). The results would serve as technical platform for the generation of both injectable inactivated vaccine and the nasal spray live attenuated vaccine for the prevention of influenza epidemics and pandemics.     

一枝蒿酮酸酰胺衍生物的合成和抗A3, B型流感病毒和 单纯I, II型疱疹病毒活性研究

从新疆一枝蒿中分离得到了单体化合物一枝蒿酮酸, 然后以一枝蒿酮酸和有机胺为原料, 在偶联剂DCC, HOBt/DMAP的作用下, 合成了13种未见文献报道的一枝蒿酮酸酰胺衍生物2a～2m. 所合成的化合物经过IR, 1H NMR, ESI-MS等分析方法进行了表征, 并对化合物2a～2m进行初步的体外抗A3, B型流感病毒和单纯I, II型疱疹病毒活性研究. 初步试验结果表明化合物2a同时具有抗A3, B型流感病毒活性, 而且抗B型流感病毒活性比母体化合物的活性较高. 化合物2d的抗B型流感病毒活性比母体化合物高16倍, 化合物2e同时具有较强的抗单纯I, II型疱疹病毒活性.     

Binding interaction analysis of the active site and its inhibitors for neuraminidase (N1 subtype) of human influenza virus by the integration of molecular docking, FMO calculation and 3D-QSAR CoMFA modeling

Recently, the worldwide spread of A/H5N1 avian influenza with high virulence has highlighted the potential threat of human influenza pandemic. Tamiflu and Relenza are currently the only two anti-influenza drugs targeting the neuraminidase (NA) enzyme of human influenza virus. Reports of the emergence of drug resistance further make the development of new potent anti-influenza inhibitors a priority. The X-ray crystallographic study of A/H5N1 avian influenza NA subtypes (Russell, R. J. Nature 2006, 443, 45-49) has demonstrated that there exist two genetically distinct groups, group-1 (N1, N4, N5 and N8) and group-2 (N2, N3, N6, N7 and N9), whose conformations are substantially different. The detailed comparison of their active sites has established, heretofore, the most accurate and solid molecular basis of structure and mechanism for the development of new anti-influenza drugs. In the present study, a three-dimensional structure of N1 subtype of human influenza type A virus (N1hA) has been generated by homology modeling using the X-ray crystallographic structure of N1 subtype of avian influenza virus (N1aA) as the template. Binding interaction analysis between the active site and its inhibitors has been performed by combining ab initio fragment molecular orbital (FMO) calculations and three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship with comparative molecular field analysis (3D-QSAR CoMFA) modeling. Integrated with docking-based 3D-QSAR CoMFA modeling, molecular surface property (electrostatic and steric) mapping and FMO pair interaction analysis, a set of new receptor-ligand binding models and bioaffinity predictive models for rational design and virtual screening of more potent inhibitors of N1hA are established. In addition, the flexibility of the loop-150 of N1hA and N1aA has been examined by a series of molecular dynamics simulations.     

焦测序法检测禽流感病毒

以焦测序技术为检测平台,在研究禽流感病毒基因特性的基础上,建立一种检测禽流感病毒及确定其是否为高致病性禽流感病毒的序列测定法。首先,选择一段保守的M基因序列及一段包含裂解位点的HA基因序列为研究对象,采用聚合酶链反应(polymerase chain reaction,PCR)扩增技术初步判断其是否为禽流感病毒及病毒亚型;然后采用焦测序法检测目的片段序列;最后,对焦测序法检测序列进行分析,从基因序列上判断其是否为禽流感病毒,并进一步判断病毒的亚型以及是否为高致病性禽流感病毒。研究结果表明,当焦测序反应中三磷酸酰苷双磷酸酶(Apyrase)的浓度为1.6U/mL时,能有效抑制错误信号的产生;当Klenow的浓度为90U/mL时,可读序列长度为33个碱基。采用优化的焦测序反应体系测定了4个样本,其中1个样本被判断为H5N1亚型禽流感病毒,具有潜在的高致病性;另外3个样本为H9N2型禽流感病毒,具有低致病性。本方法具有准确、快速和实时检测等优点。     

Development of recombinant protein-based influenza vaccine. Expression and affinity purification of H1N1 influenza virus neuraminidase

The influenza virus surface glycoprotein antigen neuraminidase (NA) is a crucial viral enzyme with many potential medical applications; therefore, the development of efficient upstream and downstream processing strategy for the expression and purification of NA is of high importance. In the present work the NA gene from the H1N1 influenza virus strain A/Beijing/262/95 was cloned from viral RNA and expressed in expresSF+ insect cells using the baculovirus expression vector system (BVES). A limited affinity-ligand library was synthesized and evaluated for its ability to bind and purify the recombinant H1N1 neuraminidase. Affinity-ligand design was based on mimicking the interactions of the lock-and-key (LAK) motif (Phe-Gly-Gln), a common structural moiety found in the subunit interface of glutathione S-transferase I (GST I), and plays an important structural role in subunit-subunit recognition. Solid-phase combinatorial chemistry was used to synthesize 13 variants of the lock-and-key lead ligand (Phe-Trz-X, where X was selected alpha-amino acid) using the 1,3,5-triazine moiety (Trz) as the scaffold for assembly. One immobilized ligand, bearing phenylalanine and isoleucine linked on the chlorotriazine ring (Phe-Trz-Ile), displayed high affinity for NA. Absorption equilibrium and molecular modeling studies were carried out to provide a detailed picture of Phe-Trz-Ile interaction with NA. This LAK-mimetic affinity adsorbent was exploited in the development of a facile purification protocol for NA, which led to 335-fold purification in a single-step. The present purification procedure is the most efficient reported so far for recombinant NA.     

Downstream processing of Vero cell-derived human influenza A virus (H1N1) grown in serum-free medium

A downstream processing was examined for Vero cell-derived human influenza virus (H1N1) grown in serum free medium. Vero cell banks were established in serum free medium and characterized according to regulatory requirements. Serum free Vero cells were grown on Cytodex 3 microcarriers in 5L bioreactor and infected with influenza A virus (A/New Caledonia/99/55). The harvests were processed with the sequence of inactivation, clarification, anion exchange chromatography (DEAE FF), Cellufine Sulfate Chromatography (CSC) and size exclusion chromatography (Sepharose 6FF). Host cell DNA (hcDNA) was mainly removed with DEAE FF column and CSC by 40 and 223 fold, respectively. Most of Vero cell proteins were eliminated in CSC and Sepharose 6FF unit operation by about 13 fold. The overall scheme resulted in high recovery of hemagglutinin (HA) activity and the substantial removal of total protein, host protein and DNA. The total protein content and DNA content per 15 μg HA protein in final product was 89 μg and 33 pg, respectively, which complied with regulatory requirements for single strain influenza vaccines. SDS-PAGE analysis and Western blotting confirmed the purity of the final product. In conclusion, the suggested downstream process is suitable for the purification of microcarrier-based cell-derived influenza vaccine.     

Rapid Identification of the Receptor‐Binding Specificity of Influenza A Viruses by Fluorogenic Glycofoldamers

The re‐emergence of influenza raises a global concern that viral pandemics can unpredictably occur. However, effective approaches that can probe the infection risk of influenza viruses for humans are rare. In this work, we develop a glycofoldamer that can rapidly identify the glycan‐receptor specificity of influenza viruses in a high‐throughput manner. The coupling of glycan receptors that can be recognized by hemagglutinin (a surface protein on the virion capsid of influenza) to a fluorogenic‐dye foldamer produces the glycofoldamers with minimal fluorescence in aqueous solution. After interaction with human‐infecting virus strains for only five minutes, the fluorescence intensity of the glycofoldamer is remarkably enhanced with a blue‐shifted emission peak. The probes have also proven effective for the rapid identification of 1) the human‐ or bird‐infecting properties of influenza viruses in a high‐throughput manner and 2) the receptor‐specificity switch of a virus strain by mutations.     

液相色谱-质谱联用分析流感病毒感染引起宿主蛋白类泛素化修饰

干扰素刺激基因15编码蛋白质(Interferon stimulated gene 15 kDa protein, ISG15)是最早被鉴定的类泛素分子蛋白质,在病毒感染和免疫调节等方面具有重要作用。本研究利用免疫沉淀技术将被类泛素 ISG15修饰的蛋白富集纯化,采用液相色谱-质谱联用技术对流感病毒感染 A549宿主细胞过程中产生的类泛素 ISG15修饰蛋白进行了分析。实验结果表明,在流感病毒感染的实验组 A549细胞中,鉴定到了22种来源于宿主细胞的ISG15修饰的蛋白,包括类泛素蛋白 ISG15、细胞周期蛋白-T1、热休克蛋白71、钙调素结合蛋白、真核翻译起始因子等,以及1种来源于流感病毒的非结构蛋白 NS1。在鉴定的22种宿主蛋白中,有6种蛋白在未感染病毒的对照组 A549细胞中也得到鉴定,包括膜联蛋白 A1、果糖二磷酸醛缩酶 A、线粒体三磷酸腺苷合成酶亚基 g、烯醇化酶、肌动蛋白、微管蛋白。生物信息学分析表明,流感病毒感染引起的 ISG15修饰的宿主蛋白分别归属于9个不同的蛋白分类,包括细胞骨架蛋白、分子伴侣蛋白、酶调节剂、核酸结合蛋白、激酶类、转移酶类、转录因子、氧化还原酶类以及结构蛋白。本研究为大规模分析鉴定 ISG15修饰蛋白提供了一种特异、有效的研究方法。     

Antiinfluenza virus activity of a bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus delbrueckii

A novel antibacterial substance produced by Lactobacillus delbrueckii has been isolated and characterized (1). The inhibitory agent corresponded to the criteria for bacteriocins. It was active against lactic acid bacteria (LAB) species and several food-borne pathogens. The cell-free supernatant was purified by HPLC gel-filtration. Three preparations at different purification steps were tested for activity on the reproduction of influenza virus A/chicken/Germany, strain Weybridge (H7N7) and strain Rostock (H7N1) in cell cultures of chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF). The inhibitory effect was shown to be highly selective and specific. Expression of viral glycoproteins hemagglutinin, neuraminidase, and nucleoprotein on the surface of infected cells, virus-induced cytopathic effect, infectious virus yield, and hemagglutinin production were all reduced at nontoxic concentrations of the crude preparation (B1). B1 did not protect cells from infection, did not affect adsorption, and slightly inhibited viral penetration into infected cells. The purification did not enhance the cellular toxicity and increased about 870-fold the virus-inhibitory activity. No inactivating effect on extracellular virus was found.     

Structure-based Design,Synthesis and Anti-influenza A Virus Activities of Substituted Phenyl-coupled Heterocyclic Ethylamide Derivatives

A series of new substituted phenyl-coupled heterocyclic ethylamide derivatives was designed and synthesized as anti-influenza agents. In vitro anti-influenza A(A/PR/8/34 H1N1 strain) activities of these compounds were investigated and compared to those of the commercial antiviral drugs(Arbidol and Ribavirin) against the influenza. Specifically, among these twelve compounds exhibiting moderate levels of antiviral activity against influenza A, compounds 30c and 30d are the most effective ones, and as efficacious as the positive control Ribavirin and much more effective than Ingavirin and Arbidol, indicating that they are prospective candidates for further exploration. These results are also consistent with the docking study results in terms of the design of compounds targeting influenza A via viral nucleoprotein.     

Facial Synthesis and Bioevaluation of Well-Defined OEGylated Betulinic Acid-Cyclodextrin Conjugates for Inhibition of Influenza Infection

Betulinic acid (BA) and its derivatives exhibit a variety of biological activities, especially their anti-HIV-1 activity, but generally have only modest inhibitory potency against influenza virus. The entry of influenza virus into host cells can be competitively inhibited by multivalent derivatives targeting hemagglutinin. In this study, a series of hexa-, hepta- and octavalent BA derivatives based on α-, β- and γ-cyclodextrin scaffolds, respectively, with varying lengths of flexible oligo(ethylene glycol) linkers was designed and synthesized using a microwave-assisted copper-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction. The generated BA-cyclodextrin conjugates were tested for their in vitro activity against influenza A/WSN/33 (H1N1) virus and cytotoxicity. Among the tested compounds, 58, 80 and 82 showed slight cytotoxicity to Madin-Darby canine kidney cells with viabilities ranging from 64 to 68% at a high concentration of 100 μM. Four conjugates 51 and 69–71 showed significant inhibitory effects on influenza infection with half maximal inhibitory concentration values of 5.20, 9.82, 7.48 and 7.59 μM, respectively. The structure-activity relationships of multivalent BA-cyclodextrin conjugates were discussed, highlighting that multivalent BA derivatives may be potential antiviral agents against influenza infection.