Impact of host cell line adaptation on quasispecies composition and glycosylation of influenza A virus hemagglutinin

An anti-influenza combined therapy assessed by single cell RNA-sequencing

Influenza makes millions of people ill every year, placing a large burden on the healthcare system and the economy. To develop a treatment against influenza, we combined virucidal sialylated cyclodextrins with interferon lambda and demonstrated, in human airway epithelia, that the two compounds inhibit the replication of a clinical H1N1 strain more efficiently when administered together rather than alone. We investigated the mechanism of action of the combined treatment by single cell RNA-sequencing analysis and found that both the single and combined treatments impair viral replication to different extents across distinct epithelial cell types. We showed that each cell type comprises multiple sub-types, whose proportions are altered by H1N1 infection, and assessed the ability of the treatments to restore them. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study investigating the effectiveness of an antiviral therapy against influenza virus by single cell transcriptomic studies.

When combined with interferon lambda, virucidal sialylated cyclodextrins inhibit the replication of a clinical H1N1 influenza strain in ex vivo human airway epithelia more efficiently than when delivered alone.

Sialylated and sulfated N-Glycans in MDCK and engineered MDCK cells for influenza virus studies

The Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell line is an in vitro model for influenza A virus (IAV) infection and propagation. MDCK-SIAT1 (SIAT1) and humanized MDCK (hCK) cell lines are engineered MDCK cells that express N-glycans with elevated levels of sialic acid (Sia) in α2,6-linkage (α2,6-Sia) that are recognized by many human IAVs. To characterize the N-glycan structures in these cells and the potential changes compared to the parental MDCK cell line resulting from engineering, we analyzed the N-glycans from these cells at different passages, using both mass spectrometry and specific lectin and antibody binding. We observed significant differences between the three cell lines in overall complex N-glycans and terminal galactose modifications. MDCK cells express core fucosylated, bisected complex-type N-glycans at all passage stages, in addition to expressing α2,6-Sia on short N-glycans and α2,3-Sia on larger N-glycans. By contrast, SIAT1 cells predominantly express α2,6-Sia glycans and greatly reduced level of α2,3-Sia glycans. Additionally, they express bisected, sialylated N-glycans that are scant in MDCK cells. The hCK cells exclusively express α2,6-Sia glycans. Unexpectedly, hCK glycoproteins bound robustly to the plant lectin MAL-1, indicating α2,3-Sia glycans, but such binding was not Sia-dependent and closely mirrored that of an antibody that recognizes glycans with terminal 3-O-sulfate galactose (3-O-SGal). The 3-O-SGal epitope is highly expressed in N-glycans on multiple hCK glycoproteins. These results indicate vastly different N-glycomes between MDCK cells and the engineered clones that could relate to IAV infectivity.

Absolute quantification of viral proteins during single-round replication of MDCK suspension cells

Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells are widely used in basic research and for the propagation of influenza A viruses (IAV) for vaccine production. To identify targets for antiviral therapies and to optimize vaccine manufacturing, a detailed understanding of the viral life cycle is important. This includes the characterization of virus entry, the synthesis of the various viral RNAs and proteins, the transfer of viral compounds in the cell and virus budding. In case quantitative information is available, the analysis can be complemented by mathematical modelling approaches. While comprehensive studies focusing on IAV entry as well as viral mRNA, vRNA and cRNA accumulation in the nucleus of cells have been performed, quantitative data regarding IAV protein synthesis and accumulation was mostly lacking. In this study, we present a mass spectrometry (MS)-based method to evaluate whether an absolute quantification of viral proteins is possible for single-round replication in suspension MDCK cells. Using influenza A/PR/8/34 (H1N1, RKI) as a model strain at a multiplicity of infection of ten, defined amounts of isotopically labelled peptides of synthetic origin of four IAV proteins (hemagglutinin, neuraminidase, nucleoprotein, matrix protein 1) were added as an internal standard before tryptic digestion of samples for absolute quantification (AQUA). The first intracellular protein detected was NP at 1 h post infection (hpi). A maximum extracellular concentration of 7.7E+12 copies/mL was achieved. This was followed by hemagglutinin (3 hpi, maximum 4.1E+12 copies/mL at 13 hpi), matrix protein 1 (5 hpi, maximum 2.2E+12 copies/mL at 13 hpi) and neuraminidase (5 hpi, 6.0E+11 copies/mL at 13 hpi). In sum, for the first time absolute IAV protein copy numbers were quantified by a MS-based method for infected MDCK cells providing important insights into viral protein dynamics during single-round virus replication. SIGNIFICANCE: Influenza A virus is a significant human pathogen worldwide. To improve therapies against influenza and overcome bottlenecks in vaccine production in cell culture, it is critical to gain a detailed understanding of the viral life cycle. In addition to qPCR-based models, this study will examine the dynamics of influenza virus proteins during infection of producer cells to gain initial insights into changes in absolute copy numbers.

Quasispecies of SARS-CoV-2 revealed by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) analysis

New SARS-CoV-2 mutants have been continuously indentified with enhanced transmission ever since its outbreak in early 2020. As an RNA virus, SARS-CoV-2 has a high mutation rate due to the low fidelity of RNA polymerase. To study the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) dynamics of SARS-CoV-2, 158 SNPs with high confidence were identified by deep meta-transcriptomic sequencing, and the most common SNP type was C > T. Analyses of intra-host population diversity revealed that intra-host quasispecies' composition varies with time during the early onset of symptoms, which implicates viral evolution during infection. Network analysis of co-occurring SNPs revealed the most abundant non-synonymous SNP 22,638 in the S glycoprotein RBD region and 28,144 in the ORF8 region. Furthermore, SARS-CoV-2 variations differ in an individual's respiratory tissue (nose, throat, BALF, or sputum), suggesting independent compartmentalization of SARS-CoV-2 populations in patients. The positive selection analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 genome uncovered the positive selected amino acid G251V on ORF3a. Alternative allele frequency spectrum (AAFS) of all variants revealed that ORF8 could bear alternate alleles with high frequency. Overall, the results show the quasispecies' profile of SARS-CoV-2 in the respiratory tract in the first two months after the outbreak.

Composition and Dynamics of H1N1 and H7N9 Influenza A Virus Quasispecies in a Co-infected Patient Analyzed by Single Molecule Sequencing Technology

A human co-infected with H1N1 and H7N9 subtypes influenza A virus (IAV) causes a complex infectious disease. The identification of molecular-level variations in composition and dynamics of IAV quasispecies will help to understand the pathogenesis and provide guidance for precision medicine treatment. In this study, using single-molecule real-time sequencing (SMRT) technology, we successfully acquired full-length IAV genomic sequences and quantified their genotypes abundance in serial samples from an 81-year-old male co-infected with H1N1 and H7N9 subtypes IAV. A total of 26 high diversity nucleotide loci was detected, in which the A-G base transversion was the most abundant substitution type (67 and 64%, in H1N1 and H7N9, respectively). Seven significant amino acid variations were detected, such as NA:H275Y and HA: R222K in H1N1 as well as PB2:E627K and NA: K432E in H7N9, which are related to viral drug-resistance or mammalian adaptation. Furtherly, we retrieved 25 H1N1 and 22 H7N9 genomic segment haplotypes from the eight samples based on combining high-diversity nucleotide loci, which provided a more concise overview of viral quasispecies composition and dynamics. Our approach promotes the popularization of viral quasispecies analysis in a complex infectious disease, which will boost the understanding of viral infections, pathogenesis, evolution, and precision medicine.

Development of a swine RNA polymerase I driven Influenza reverse genetics system for the rescue of type A and B Influenza viruses

Influenza viruses are among the most significant pathogens of humans and animals. Reverse genetics allows for the study of molecular attributes that modulate virus host range, virulence and transmission. The most common reverse genetics methods use bi-directional vectors containing a host RNA polymerase (pol) I promoter to produce virus-like RNAs and a host RNA pol II promoter to direct the synthesis of viral proteins. Given the species-dependency of the pol I promoter and virus-host interactions that influence replication of animal-origin influenza viruses in human-derived cells, we explored the potential of using the swine RNA pol I promoter (spol1) in a bi-directional vector for rescuing type A and B influenza viruses (IAV and IBV, respectively) in swine and human cells. The spol1-based bi-directional plasmid vector led to efficient rescue of IAVs of different origins (human, swine, and avian) as well as IBV in both swine- and human-origin tissue culture cells. In addition, virus rescue was successful using a recombinant bacmid containing all eight segments of a swine origin IAV. In conclusion, the spol1-based reverse genetics system is a new platform to study influenza viruses and produce swine influenza vaccines with increased transfection efficiency.

Deep sequencing of 2009 influenza A/H1N1 virus isolated from volunteer human challenge study participants and natural infections

Nasal wash samples from 15 human volunteers challenged with GMP manufactured influenza A/California/04/2009(H1N1) and from 5 naturally infected influenza patients of the 2009 pandemic were deep sequenced using viral targeted hybridization enrichment. Ten single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) positions were found in the challenge virus. Some of the nonsynonymous changes in the inoculant virus were maintained in some challenge participants, but not in others, indicating that virus is evolving away from the Vero cell adapted inoculant, for example SNPs in the neuraminidase. Many SNP sites in challenge patients and naturally infected patients were found, many not identified previously. The SNPs identified, and phylogenetic analyses, showed that intrahost evolution of the virus are different in challenge participants and naturally infected patients. This study, using hybridization enrichment without PCR, provided an accurate and unbiased assessment of differential intrahost viral evolution from a uniform influenza inoculant in humans and comparison to naturally infected patients.

Extra-Neutralizing FcR-Mediated Antibody Functions for a Universal Influenza Vaccine

While neutralizing antibody titers measured by hemagglutination inhibition have been proposed as a correlate of protection following influenza vaccination, neutralization alone is a modest predictor of protection against seasonal influenza. Instead, emerging data point to a critical role for additional extra-neutralizing functions of antibodies in protection from infection. Specifically, beyond binding and neutralization, antibodies mediate a variety of additional immune functions via their ability to recruit and deploy innate immune effector function. Along these lines, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, antibody-mediated macrophage phagocytosis and activation, antibody-driven neutrophil activation, antibody-dependent complement deposition, and non-classical Fc-receptor antibody trafficking have all been implicated in protection from influenza infection. However, the precise mechanism(s) by which the immune system actively tunes antibody functionality to drive protective immunity has been poorly characterized. Here we review the data related to Fc-effector functional protection from influenza and discuss prospects to leverage this humoral immune activity for the development of a universal influenza vaccine.

Virus Entry: Looking Back and Moving Forward

Research over a period of more than half a century has provided a reasonably accurate picture of mechanisms involved in animal virus entry into their host cells. Successive steps in entry include binding to receptors, endocytosis, passage through one or more membranes, targeting to specific sites within the cell, and uncoating of the genome. For some viruses, the molecular interactions are known in great detail. However, as more viruses are analyzed, and as the focus shifts from tissue culture to in vivo experiments, it is evident that viruses display considerable redundancy and flexibility in receptor usage, endocytic mechanism, location of penetration, and uncoating mechanism. For many viruses, the picture is still elusive because the interactions that they engage in rely on sophisticated adaptation to complex cellular functions and defense mechanisms.

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Studies using a broad combination of technologies have provided detailed information on the entry and uncoating of many animal viruses.

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Not only the identity of cell surface receptors but their distribution in plasma membrane and in microdomains defines cell tropism and infection efficiency.

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The majority of viruses enter by endocytic mechanisms and penetrate into the cytosol intracellularly from a variety of different organelles.

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The picture is often elusive because many viruses display redundancy in receptor choice and entry strategy.

Multiple Genome Constellations of Similar and Distinct Influenza A Viruses Co-Circulate in Pigs During Epidemic Events

Swine play a key role in the ecology and transmission of influenza A viruses (IAVs) between species. However, the epidemiology and diversity of swine IAVs is not completely understood. In this cohort study, we sampled on a weekly basis 132 3-week old pigs for 15 weeks. We found two overlapping epidemic events of infection in which most pigs (98.4%) tested PCR positive for IAVs. The prevalence rate of infection ranged between 0 and 86% per week and the incidence density ranged between 0 and 71 cases per 100 pigs-week. Three distinct influenza viral groups (VGs) replicating as a "swarm" of viruses were identified (swine H1-gamma, H1-beta, and H3-cluster-IV IAVs) and co-circulated at different proportions over time suggesting differential allele fitness. Furthermore, using deep genome sequencing 13 distinct viral genome constellations were differentiated. Moreover, 78% of the pigs had recurrent infections with IAVs closely related to each other or IAVs clearly distinct. Our results demonstrated the molecular complexity of swine IAVs during natural infection of pigs in which novel strains of IAVs with zoonotic and pandemic potential can emerge. These are key findings to design better health interventions to reduce the transmission of swine IAVs and minimize the public health risk.

Immunogenicity and Safety of Trivalent Split Influenza Vaccine in Healthy Korean Adults with Low Pre-Existing Antibody Levels: An Open Phase I Trial

PURPOSE

A phase I clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of newly developed egg-cultivated trivalent inactivated split influenza vaccine (TIV) in Korea.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The TIV was administered to 43 healthy male adults. Subjects with high pre-existing titers were excluded in a screening step. Immune response was measured by a hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay.

RESULTS

The seroprotection rates against A/California/7/2009 (H1N1), A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2) and B/Brisbane/60/2009 were 74.42% [95% confidence interval (CI): 61.38-87.46], 72.09% (95% CI: 58.69-85.50), and 86.05% (95% CI: 75.69-96.40), respectively. Calculated seroconversion rates were 74.42% (95% CI: 61.38-87.46), 74.42% (95% CI: 61.38-87.46), and 79.07% (95% CI: 66.91-91.23), respectively. There were 25 episodes of solicited local adverse events in 21 subjects (47.73%), 21 episodes of solicited general adverse events in 16 subjects (36.36%) and 5 episodes of unsolicited adverse events in 5 subjects (11.36%). All adverse events were grade 1 or 2 and disappeared within three days.

CONCLUSION

The immunogenicity and safety of TIV established in this phase I trial are sufficient to plan a larger scale clinical trial.

Cell culture-based influenza vaccines: A necessary and indispensable investment for the future

The traditional platform of using embryonated chicken eggs for the production of influenza vaccines has several drawbacks including the inability to meet the volume of required doses in the case of widespread epidemics and pandemics. Cell culture platforms have therefore been explored in the last 2 decades, and have attracted further attention following the H1N1 pandemic outbreak. This platform, while not the most economical for large-scale production, has several advantages, and can supplement the vaccine requirement when needed. Recent developments in production technologies have contributed greatly to fine-tuning this platform. In combination with other technologies such as live attenuated and recombinant protein or virus-like particle vaccines, and different adjuvants and delivery systems, cell culture-based influenza vaccine platform can be used both for production of seasonal vaccine, and to mitigate vaccine shortages in pandemic situations.

Genome plasticity of triple-reassortant H1N1 influenza A virus during infection of vaccinated pigs

To gain insight into the evolution of influenza A viruses (IAVs) during infection of vaccinated pigs, we experimentally infected a 3-week-old naive pig with a triple-reassortant H1N1 IAV and placed the seeder pig in direct contact with a group of age-matched vaccinated pigs (n = 10). We indexed the genetic diversity and evolution of the virus at an intra-host level by deep sequencing the entire genome directly from nasal swabs collected at two separate samplings during infection. We obtained 13 IAV metagenomes from 13 samples, which included the virus inoculum and two samples from each of the six pigs that tested positive for IAV during the study. The infection produced a population of heterogeneous alleles (sequence variants) that was dynamic over time. Overall, 794 polymorphisms were identified amongst all samples, which yielded 327 alleles, 214 of which were unique sequences. A total of 43 distinct haemagglutinin proteins were translated, two of which were observed in multiple pigs, whereas the neuraminidase (NA) was conserved and only one dominant NA was found throughout the study. The genetic diversity of IAVs changed dynamically within and between pigs. However, most of the substitutions observed in the internal gene segments were synonymous. Our results demonstrated remarkable IAV diversity, and the complex, rapid and dynamic evolution of IAV during infection of vaccinated pigs that can only be appreciated with repeated sampling of individual animals and deep sequence analysis.

Computational studies of pandemic 1918 and 2009 H1N1 hemagglutinins bound to avian and human receptor analogs

The purpose of this work was to study the binding properties of two pandemic influenza A virus 1918 H1N1 (SC1918) and 2009 H1N1 (CA09) hemagglutinin (HA) with avian and human receptors. The quantum chemical calculations have been performed to analyze the interactions of 130 loop, 190 helix, 220 loop region, and conserved residues 95,145,153-155, of pandemic viruses' HA with sialo-trisaccharide receptor of avian and human using density functional theory. The HA's residues Tyr 95, Ala 138, Gln 191, Arg 220, and Asp 225 from the above regions have stronger interaction with avian receptor. The residues Thr 136, Trp 153, His 183, and Asp 190 of HA are important and play a significant role to bind with human receptor. The residues Tyr 95, Ala 138, Lys 145, Trp 153, Gln 192, and Gln 226 of HA of CA09 virus have found more interaction energies with human than avian receptors. Due to mutations in the active residues of HA of CA09 virus comparing with SC1918, the binding capabilities of HA with human have been increased. The molecular dynamics simulation was made to understand the different dynamical properties of HA and molecular interactions between HA of these two viruses with sialo-trisaccharide receptors of avian and human receptors. The interaction energy of HA of CA09 virus with human receptor decreases due to the human receptor far away from conserved residue region of HA protein. This reveals that the conserved residues particularly Lys 145 play major contribution to interaction with human receptor in HA of CA09 virus.

Viral subpopulation diversity in influenza virus isolates compared to clinical specimens

BACKGROUND

Influenza virus (IFV) isolates obtained from mammalian cell cultures are valuable reagents used for vaccine production, antigenic characterization, laboratory assays, and epidemiological and evolutionary studies. Complete genomic comparison of IFV isolates with their original clinical specimens provides insight into cell culture-driven genomic changes which may sequentially alter the virus phenotype.

OBJECTIVES

The genome of the viral isolates and of the viruses in the clinical specimens was examined by deep sequencing in order to determine nucleotide heterogeneity (measured number of variances or numbers of mixed bases) as a marker for IFV population diversity.

STUDY DESIGN

Clinical respiratory specimens were collected between July and October 2012 and identified by RT-PCR as positive for influenza A H3N2 or H1N1, or influenza B. The viruses in the clinical specimens were amplified using mammalian cell culture. Next generation sequencing (NGS) was used to investigate genomic differences between IFV isolates and their corresponding clinical specimens.

RESULTS

There was less nucleotide heterogeneity in 5 of 6 viral isolates compared to the corresponding clinical specimens, especially for influenza B. A phylogenetic analysis of the hemagglutinin (HA) gene consensus sequences obtained from deep and Sanger sequencing showed that the viral isolates and their corresponding clinical specimens contained the same IFV strains with less than 5% pair-wise genetic distance.

CONCLUSION

The IFV sequence data analysis detected a substantial decrease in nucleotide heterogeneity from clinical specimens to viral cultures in 5 out of 6 investigated cases.

A systematic approach to novel virus discovery in emerging infectious disease outbreaks

The discovery of novel viruses is of great importance to human health-both in the setting of emerging infectious disease outbreaks and in disease syndromes of unknown etiology. Despite the recent proliferation of many efficient virus discovery methods, careful selection of a combination of methods is important to demonstrate a novel virus, its clinical associations, and its relevance in a timely manner. The identification of a patient or an outbreak with distinctive clinical features and negative routine microbiological workup is often the starting point for virus hunting. This review appraises the roles of culture, electron microscopy, and nucleic acid detection-based methods in optimizing virus discovery. Cell culture is generally slow but may yield viable virus. Although the choice of cell line often involves trial and error, it may be guided by the clinical syndrome. Electron microscopy is insensitive but fast, and may provide morphological clues to choice of cell line or consensus primers for nucleic acid detection. Consensus primer PCR can be used to detect viruses that are closely related to known virus families. Random primer amplification and high-throughput sequencing can catch any virus genome but cannot yield an infectious virion for testing Koch postulates. A systematic approach that incorporates carefully chosen combinations of virus detection techniques is required for successful virus discovery.

Analysis of the genetic diversity of influenza A viruses using next-generation DNA sequencing

BACKGROUND

Influenza viruses exist as a large group of closely related viral genomes, also called quasispecies. The composition of this influenza viral quasispecies can be determined by an accurate and sensitive sequencing technique and data analysis pipeline. We compared the suitability of two benchtop next-generation sequencers for whole genome influenza A quasispecies analysis: the Illumina MiSeq sequencing-by-synthesis and the Ion Torrent PGM semiconductor sequencing technique.

RESULTS

We first compared the accuracy and sensitivity of both sequencers using plasmid DNA and different ratios of wild type and mutant plasmid. Illumina MiSeq sequencing reads were one and a half times more accurate than those of the Ion Torrent PGM. The majority of sequencing errors were substitutions on the Illumina MiSeq and insertions and deletions, mostly in homopolymer regions, on the Ion Torrent PGM. To evaluate the suitability of the two techniques for determining the genome diversity of influenza A virus, we generated plasmid-derived PR8 virus and grew this virus in vitro. We also optimized an RT-PCR protocol to obtain uniform coverage of all eight genomic RNA segments. The sequencing reads obtained with both sequencers could successfully be assembled de novo into the segmented influenza virus genome. After mapping of the reads to the reference genome, we found that the detection limit for reliable recognition of variants in the viral genome required a frequency of 0.5% or higher. This threshold exceeds the background error rate resulting from the RT-PCR reaction and the sequencing method. Most of the variants in the PR8 virus genome were present in hemagglutinin, and these mutations were detected by both sequencers.

CONCLUSIONS

Our approach underlines the power and limitations of two commonly used next-generation sequencers for the analysis of influenza virus gene diversity. We conclude that the Illumina MiSeq platform is better suited for detecting variant sequences whereas the Ion Torrent PGM platform has a shorter turnaround time. The data analysis pipeline that we propose here will also help to standardize variant calling in small RNA genomes based on next-generation sequencing data.

N-Glycosylation Fingerprinting of Viral Glycoproteins by xCGE-LIF

The ongoing threat of pathogens, increasing resistance against antibiotics, and the risk of fast spreading of infectious diseases in a global community resulted in an intensified development of vaccines. Antigens used for vaccination comprise a wide variety of macromolecules including glycoproteins, lipopolysaccharides, and complex carbohydrates. For all of these antigens the sugar composition plays a crucial role for immunogenicity and protective efficacy of the vaccine. Here, we provide a protocol for N-glycosylation fingerprinting utilizing high performance multiplexed capillary gel electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection (xCGE-LIF) technology. The method described, enables to analyze the N-glycosylation of specific proteins out of a complex sample or even the total of all N-glycans contained in such a sample. The protocol is exemplarily demonstrated for N-glycosylation fingerprinting of cell culture-derived influenza A and B viruses and their major antigens, the membrane glycoproteins hemagglutinin and neuraminidase.

Next-generation sequencing in veterinary medicine: how can the massive amount of information arising from high-throughput technologies improve diagnosis, control, and management of infectious diseases?

The development of high-throughput molecular technologies and associated bioinformatics has dramatically changed the capacities of scientists to produce, handle, and analyze large amounts of genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data. A clear example of this step-change is represented by the amount of DNA sequence data that can be now produced using next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms. Similarly, recent improvements in protein and peptide separation efficiencies and highly accurate mass spectrometry have promoted the identification and quantification of proteins in a given sample. These advancements in biotechnology have increasingly been applied to the study of animal infectious diseases and are beginning to revolutionize the way that biological and evolutionary processes can be studied at the molecular level. Studies have demonstrated the value of NGS technologies for molecular characterization, ranging from metagenomic characterization of unknown pathogens or microbial communities to molecular epidemiology and evolution of viral quasispecies. Moreover, high-throughput technologies now allow detailed studies of host-pathogen interactions at the level of their genomes (genomics), transcriptomes (transcriptomics), or proteomes (proteomics). Ultimately, the interaction between pathogen and host biological networks can be questioned by analytically integrating these levels (integrative OMICS and systems biology). The application of high-throughput biotechnology platforms in these fields and their typical low-cost per information content has revolutionized the resolution with which these processes can now be studied. The aim of this chapter is to provide a current and prospective view on the opportunities and challenges associated with the application of massive parallel sequencing technologies to veterinary medicine, with particular focus on applications that have a potential impact on disease control and management.

The choice of mammalian cell host and possibilities for glycosylation engineering

Non-human mammalian cells such as CHO have been used predominantly for the production of biopharmaceuticals including monoclonal antibodies (Mabs). Although the glycosylation profile of these products is 'human-like' there is still the possibility of immunogenic epitopes such as α-Gal and Neu5Gc. Human cell lines have now been designed for high productivity of recombinant proteins and ensuring authentic glycosylation patterns. The control of glycosylation on such proteins is important for the efficacy of recombinant biopharmaceuticals as well as the immunogenic properties of viral vaccines such as influenza. We are now starting to understand some of the relationships between the structure of glycans and the function bestowed on the associated protein. This has promoted cell culture technologies for the targeted control of glycosylation to produce pre-determined glycan profiles of secreted products.

Vaccine production: upstream processing with adherent or suspension cell lines

The production of viral vaccines in cell culture can be accomplished with primary, diploid, or continuous (transformed) cell lines. Each cell line, each virus type, and each vaccine preparation require the specific design of upstream and downstream processing. Media have to be selected as well as production vessels, cultivation conditions, and modes of operation. Many viruses only replicate to high titers in adherently growing cells, but similar to processes established for recombinant protein production, an increasing number of suspension cell lines is being evaluated for future use. Here, we describe key issues to be considered for the establishment of large-scale virus production in bioreactors. As an example upstream processing of cell culture-derived influenza virus production is described in more detail for adherently growing and for suspension cells. In particular, use of serum-containing, serum-free, and chemically defined media as well as choice of cultivation vessel are considered.

Comparison of mutation patterns in full-genome A/H3N2 influenza sequences obtained directly from clinical samples and the same samples after a single MDCK passage

Human influenza viruses can be isolated efficiently from clinical samples using Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. However, this process is known to induce mutations in the virus as it adapts to this non-human cell-line. We performed a systematic study to record the pattern of MDCK-induced mutations observed across the whole influenza A/H3N2 genome. Seventy-seven clinical samples collected from 2009-2011 were included in the study. Two full influenza genomes were obtained for each sample: one from virus obtained directly from the clinical sample and one from the matching isolate cultured in MDCK cells. Comparison of the full-genome sequences obtained from each of these sources showed that 42% of the 77 isolates had acquired at least one MDCK-induced mutation. The presence or absence of these mutations was independent of viral load or sample origin (in-patients versus out-patients). Notably, all the five hemagglutinin missense mutations were observed at the hemaggutinin 1 domain only, particularly within or proximal to the receptor binding sites and antigenic site of the virus. Furthermore, 23% of the 77 isolates had undergone a MDCK-induced missense mutation, D151G/N, in the neuraminidase segment. This mutation has been found to be associated with reduced drug sensitivity towards the neuraminidase inhibitors and increased viral receptor binding efficiency to host cells. In contrast, none of the neuraminidase sequences obtained directly from the clinical samples contained the D151G/N mutation, suggesting that this mutation may be an indicator of MDCK culture-induced changes. These D151 mutations can confound the interpretation of the hemagglutination inhibition assay and neuraminidase inhibitor resistance results when these are based on MDCK isolates. Such isolates are currently in routine use in the WHO influenza vaccine and drug-resistance surveillance programs. Potential data interpretation miscalls can therefore be avoided by careful exclusion of such D151 mutants after further sequence analysis.

Development of a high-throughput glycoanalysis method for the characterization of oligosaccharides in human milk utilizing multiplexed capillary gel electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection

During the last decade, enormous progress regarding knowledge about composition and properties of human milk (HM) has been made. Besides nutrition, the three macro-nutrients: proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates combine a large variety of properties and functions. Especially, complex oligosaccharides emerge as important dietary factors during early life with multiple functions. The characterization of these HM oligosaccharides (HMOS) within the total carbohydrate fraction is prerequisite to understand the relationship between milk composition and biological effects. Therefore, extended studies of large donor cohorts and thus, new high-throughput glycoanalytical methods are needed. The developed method comprises sample preparation, as well as analysis of HMOS by multiplexed CGE with LIF detection (xCGE-LIF). Via a respective database the generated "fingerprints" (normalized electropherograms) could be used for structural elucidation of HMOS. The method was tested on HM samples from five different donors, partly sampled as a series of lactation time points. HMOS could be easily identified and quantified. Consequently, secretor and Lewis status of the donors could be determined, milk typing could be performed and quantitative changes could be monitored along lactation time course. The developed xCGE-LIF based "real" high-throughput HMOS analysis method enables qualitative and quantitative high-performance profiling of the total carbohydrate fraction composition of large sets of samples.

Proteome analysis of virus-host cell interaction: rabies virus replication in Vero cells in two different media

The use of Vero cells for rabies vaccine production was recommended from the WHO in 2005. A controlled production process is necessary to reduce the risk of contaminants in the product. One step towards this is to turn away from animal-derived components (e.g. serum, trypsin, bovine serum albumin) and face a production process in animal component-free medium. In this study, a proteomic approach was applied, using 2-D differential gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry to compare rabies virus propagation in Vero cells under different cultivation conditions in microcarrier culture. Protein alterations were investigated for uninfected and infected Vero cells over a time span from 1 to 8 days post-infection in two different types of media (serum-free versus serum-containing media). For mock-infected cells, proteins involved in stress response, redox status, protease activity or glycolysis, and protein components in the endoplasmic reticulum were found to be differentially expressed comparing both cultivation media at all sampling points. For virus-infected cells, additionally changes in protein expression involved in general cell regulation and in calcium homeostasis were identified under both cultivation conditions. The fact that neither of these additional proteins was identified for cells during mock infection, but similar protein expression changes were found for both systems during virus propagation, indicates for a specific response of the Vero cell proteome on rabies virus infection.

Recent advances in molecular medicine techniques for the diagnosis, prevention, and control of infectious diseases

In recent years we have observed great advances in our ability to combat infectious diseases. Through the development of novel genetic methodologies, including a better understanding of pathogen biology, pathogenic mechanisms, advances in vaccine development, designing new therapeutic drugs, and optimization of diagnostic tools, significant infectious diseases are now better controlled. Here, we briefly describe recent reports in the literature concentrating on infectious disease control. The focus of this review is to describe the molecular methods widely used in the diagnosis, prevention, and control of infectious diseases with regard to the innovation of molecular techniques. Since the list of pathogenic microorganisms is extensive, we emphasize some of the major human infectious diseases (AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, rotavirus, herpes virus, viral hepatitis, and dengue fever). As a consequence of these developments, infectious diseases will be more accurately and effectively treated; safe and effective vaccines are being developed and rapid detection of infectious agents now permits countermeasures to avoid potential outbreaks and epidemics. But, despite considerable progress, infectious diseases remain a strong challenge to human survival.

Toward animal cell culture-based influenza vaccine design: viral hemagglutinin N-glycosylation markedly impacts immunogenicity

The glycoproteins hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase are the major determinants of host range and tissue tropism of the influenza virus. HA is the most abundant protein in the virus particle membrane and represents the basis of most influenza vaccines. It has been reported that influenza virus HA N-glycosylation markedly depends on the host cell line used for virus production. However, little is known about how differential glycosylation affects immunogenicity of the viral proteins. This is of importance for virus propagation in chicken eggs as well as for innovative influenza vaccine production in mammalian cell lines. In this study, we investigated the impact of the differential N-glycosylation patterns of two influenza A virus PR/8/34 (H1N1) variants on immunogenicity. Madin-Darby canine kidney cell-derived and Vero cell-derived glycovariants were analyzed for immunogenicity in a TCR-HA transgenic mouse model. Next-generation pyrosequencing validated the congruence of the potential HA N-glycosylation sites as well as the presence of the HA peptide recognized by the TCR-HA transgenic T cells. We show that differential HA N-glycosylation markedly affected T cell activation and cytokine production in vitro and moderately influenced IL-2 production in vivo. Cocultivation assays indicated that the difference in immunogenicity was mediated by CD11c(+) dendritic cells. Native virus deglycosylation by endo- and exoglycosidases dramatically reduced cytokine production by splenocytes in vitro and markedly decreased HA-specific Ab production in vivo. In conclusion, this study indicates a crucial importance of HA N-glycosylation for immunogenicity. Our findings have implications for cell line-based influenza vaccine design.

Mutations in the M-gene segment can substantially increase replication efficiency of NS1 deletion influenza A virus in MDCK cells

Influenza viruses unable to express NS1 protein (delNS1) replicate poorly and induce large amounts of interferon (IFN). They are therefore considered candidate viruses for live-attenuated influenza vaccines. Their attenuated replication is generally assumed to result from the inability to counter the antiviral host response, as delNS1 viruses replicate efficiently in Vero cells, which lack IFN expression. In this study, delNS1 virus was parallel passaged on IFN-competent MDCK cells, which resulted in two strains that were able to replicate to high virus titers in MDCK cells due to adaptive mutations especially in the M-gene segment but also in the NP and NS gene segments. Most notable were clustered U-to-C mutations in the M segment of both strains and clustered A-to-G mutations in the NS segment of one strain, which presumably resulted from host cell-mediated RNA editing. The M segment mutations in both strains changed the ratio of M1 to M2 expression, probably by affecting splicing efficiency. In one virus, 2 amino acid substitutions in M1 additionally enhanced virus replication, possibly through changes in the M1 distribution between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Both adapted viruses induced levels of IFN equal to that of the original delNS1 virus. These results show that the increased replication of the adapted viruses is not primarily due to altered IFN induction but rather is related to changes in M1 expression or localization. The mutations identified in this paper may be used to enhance delNS1 virus replication for vaccine production.

Large-scale sequencing and the natural history of model human RNA viruses

RNA virus exploration within the field of medical virology has greatly benefited from technological developments in genomics, deepening our understanding of viral dynamics and emergence. Large-scale first-generation technology sequencing projects have expedited molecular epidemiology studies at an unprecedented scale for two pathogenic RNA viruses chosen as models: influenza A virus and dengue. Next-generation sequencing approaches are now leading to a more in-depth analysis of virus genetic diversity, which is greater for RNA than DNA viruses because of high replication rates and the absence of proofreading activity of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. In the field of virus discovery, technological advancements and metagenomic approaches are expanding the catalogs of novel viruses by facilitating our probing into the RNA virus world.

Viral quasispecies evolution

Evolution of RNA viruses occurs through disequilibria of collections of closely related mutant spectra or mutant clouds termed viral quasispecies. Here we review the origin of the quasispecies concept and some biological implications of quasispecies dynamics. Two main aspects are addressed: (i) mutant clouds as reservoirs of phenotypic variants for virus adaptability and (ii) the internal interactions that are established within mutant spectra that render a virus ensemble the unit of selection. The understanding of viruses as quasispecies has led to new antiviral designs, such as lethal mutagenesis, whose aim is to drive viruses toward low fitness values with limited chances of fitness recovery. The impact of quasispecies for three salient human pathogens, human immunodeficiency virus and the hepatitis B and C viruses, is reviewed, with emphasis on antiviral treatment strategies. Finally, extensions of quasispecies to nonviral systems are briefly mentioned to emphasize the broad applicability of quasispecies theory.