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Endothelial cell tropism is a determinant of H5N1 pathogenesis in mammalian species
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Endothelial cell tropism is a determinant of H5N1 pathogenesis in mammalian species

Smanla Tundup, Balaji Manicassamy, Matheswaran Kandasamy, Jasmine T Perez, Nacho Mena, John Steel, Tamas Nagy and Randy A Albrecht
PLoS pathogens, Vol.13(3), pp.e1006270-e1006270
03/2017
DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006270
PMCID: PMC5362246
PMID: 28282445
url
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1006270View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

The cellular and molecular mechanisms underpinning the unusually high virulence of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses in mammalian species remains unknown. Here, we investigated if the cell tropism of H5N1 virus is a determinant of enhanced virulence in mammalian species. We engineered H5N1 viruses with restricted cell tropism through the exploitation of cell type-specific microRNA expression by incorporating microRNA target sites into the viral genome. Restriction of H5N1 replication in endothelial cells via miR-126 ameliorated disease symptoms, prevented systemic viral spread and limited mortality, despite showing similar levels of peak viral replication in the lungs as compared to control virus-infected mice. Similarly, restriction of H5N1 replication in endothelial cells resulted in ameliorated disease symptoms and decreased viral spread in ferrets. Our studies demonstrate that H5N1 infection of endothelial cells results in excessive production of cytokines and reduces endothelial barrier integrity in the lungs, which culminates in vascular leakage and viral pneumonia. Importantly, our studies suggest a need for a combinational therapy that targets viral components, suppresses host immune responses, and improves endothelial barrier integrity for the treatment of highly pathogenic H5N1 virus infections.
Flow Cytometry Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype - physiology Humans Mice, Inbred C57BL Orthomyxoviridae Infections - pathology Virulence Male Ferrets Blotting, Western Animals HEK293 Cells Female Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype - pathogenicity Mice Endothelial Cells - virology Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Disease Models, Animal Viral Tropism - physiology

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