Influenza Virus Preparations Research Articles

The characteristics of BCR-CDR3 repertoire in COVID-19 patients and SARS-CoV-2 vaccinated volunteers.

The global COVID-19 pandemic has caused more than 1 billion infections, and numerous SARS-CoV-2 vaccines developed rapidly have been administered over 10 billion doses. The world is continuously concerned about the cytokine storms induced by the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and host, long COVID, breakthrough infections postvaccination, and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 variants. BCR-CDR3 repertoire serves as a molecular target for monitoring the antiviral response "trace" of B cells, evaluating the effects, mechanisms, and memory abilities of individual responses to B cells, and has been successfully applied in analyzing the infection mechanisms, vaccine improvement, and neutralizing antibodies preparation of influenza virus, HIV, MERS, and Ebola virus. Based on research on BCR-CDR3 repertoire of COVID-19 patients and volunteers who received different SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in multiple laboratories worldwide, we focus on analyzing the characteristics and changes of BCR-CDR3 repertoire, such as diversity, clonality, V&J genes usage and pairing, SHM, CSR, shared CDR3 clones, as well as the summary on BCR sequences targeting virus-specific epitopes in the preparation and application research of SARS-CoV-2 potential therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. This review provides comparative data and new research schemes for studying the possible mechanisms of differences in B cell response between SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination, and supplies a foundation for improving vaccines after SARS-CoV-2 mutations and potential antibody therapy for infected individuals.

An experimental investigation of the performance of a Collison nebulizer generating H1N1 influenza aerosols

The performance of a Collison nebulizer delivering viable H1N1 influenza aerosols was assessed in terms of particle size distribution (PSD) and survivability of the virus upon generation. An H1N1 influenza virus preparation in egg allantoic fluid was diluted in sterile deionized water to a concentration of 3.4 × 106 TCID50/mL. The virus suspension was aerosolized at air flow rates of 2, 6 and 12 L/min using a 1-jet, 3-jet and 6-jet Collison nebulizer, respectively. A scanning mobility particle sizer measured the PSD of the viral aerosol after steady-state delivery times of 1, 15, 30, 45 and 60 min. After 60 min of continuous aerosolization, the viral titre was unchanged and the count median diameter (CMD) of the aerosol PSD was ∼38 nm for the 2 L/min flow rate, ∼35 nm for the 6 L/min flow rate and ∼33 nm for the 12 L/min flow rate. The CMDs were much smaller than the influenza virus (80–120 nm), indicating the aerosol distribution comprised mainly nonviable materials. The PSD produced by the Collison nebulizer exhibited a 20% increase in peak particle concentration after 60 min of continuous operation at 12 L/min. This progressive increase in particle counts may be attributed to a combination of evaporation and shear and impact stresses imparted on components by the Collison nebulizer. The possible slight loss in H1N1 influenza viability over the course of 60 min of continuous aerosolization at 12 L/min is consistent with previous bioaerosol studies using a Collison nebulizer.

Determination of Neuraminidase Kinetic Constants Using Whole Influenza Virus Preparations and Correction for Spectroscopic Interference by a Fluorogenic Substrate

The influenza neuraminidase (NA) enzyme cleaves terminal sialic acid residues from cellular receptors, a process required for the release of newly synthesized virions. A balance of NA activity with sialic acid binding affinity of hemagglutinin (HA) is important for optimal virus replication. NA sequence evolution through genetic shift and drift contributes to the continuous modulation of influenza virus fitness and pathogenicity. A simple and reliable method for the determination of kinetic parameters of NA activity could add significant value to global influenza surveillance and provide parameters for the projection of fitness and pathogenicity of emerging virus variants. The use of fluorogenic substrate 2′-(4-methylumbelliferyl)-α-D-N-acetylneuraminic acid (MUNANA) and cell- or egg-grown whole influenza virus preparations have been attractive components of NA enzyme activity investigations. We describe important criteria to be addressed when determining Km and Vmax kinetic parameters using this method: (1) determination of the dynamic range of MUNANA and 4-methylumbelliferone product (4-MU) fluorescence for the instrument used; (2) adjustment of reaction conditions to approximate initial rate conditions, i.e. ≤15% of substrate converted during the reaction, with signal-to-noise ratio ≥10; (3) correction for optical interference and inner filter effect caused by increasing concentrations of MUNANA substrate. The results indicate a significant interference of MUNANA with 4-MU fluorescence determination. The criteria proposed enable an improved rapid estimation of NA kinetic parameters and facilitate comparison of data between laboratories.

Application of deglycosylation to SDS PAGE analysis improves calibration of influenza antigen standards

Each year the production of seasonal influenza vaccines requires antigen standards to be available for the potency assessment of vaccine batches. These are calibrated and assigned a value for haemagglutinin (HA) content. The calibration of an antigen standard is carried out in a collaborative study amongst a small number of national regulatory laboratories which are designated by WHO as Essential Regulatory Laboratories (ERLs) for the purposes of influenza vaccine standardisation. The calibration involves two steps; first the determination of HA protein in a primary liquid standard by measurement of total protein in a purified influenza virus preparation followed by determination of the proportion of HA as determined by PAGE analysis of the sample; and second, the calibration of the freeze-dried reference antigen against the primary standard by single radial immunodiffusion (SRD) assay. Here we describe a collaborative study to assess the effect of adding a deglycosylation step prior to the SDS-PAGE analysis for the assessment of relative HA content. We found that while the final agreed HA value of the samples tested was not significantly different with or without deglycosylation, the deglycosylation step greatly improved between-laboratory agreement.

Novel dry powder preparations of whole inactivated influenza virus for nasal vaccination

The purpose of these studies was to enhance mucosal and systemic antibody production in response to increased local residence time of a whole inactivated influenza virus administered as a dry powder nasal vaccine formulation. Spray-freeze-drying (SFD) particles suitable for nasal delivery were characterized for physico-chemical properties and stability. Mucoadhesive compounds (MA) were characterized for their effects on nasal residence time of vaccine powders in rats compared with published in vitro data and elicited immune responses. SFD particles (D(50) = 26.9 microm) were spherical with a specific surface area of 1.25 m(2)/g. Thermal analysis indicated SFD powders were amorphous and demonstrated improved stability with respect to liquid formulations under various storage conditions. In vitro physico-chemical studies and in vivo scintigraphic imaging experiments indicated sodium alginate (SA) and carboxymethylcellulose-high molecular weight (CMC-HMW) powder formulations most significantly increased residence time in Brown Norway rats. Intramuscular delivery provided equivalent serum antibody titers to intranasal (IN) powder without MA, in the presence of CMC-HMW, SA, and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC-HMW) after initial dosing and all formulations except IN powder with chitosan after boosting. IN liquid provided equivalent serum antibody titers to all IN powders after the initial vaccination and significantly greater serum antibody titers than IN powder with chitosan after boosting. Trends were consistent between residence time studies and immune response; however, no statistically significant differences between powder and liquid formulations were observed. It was concluded that enhanced serum and mucosal antibody responses were elicited by a dry powder nasal vaccine, specifically, administered in the presence of sodium alginate.

Novel dry powder preparations of whole inactivated influenza virus for nasal vaccination

Novel dry powder preparations of whole inactivated influenza virus for nasal vaccination

T Cell Responses Are Better Correlates of Vaccine Protection in the Elderly

It is commonly held that increased risk of influenza in the elderly is due to a decline in the Ab response to influenza vaccination. This study prospectively evaluated the relationship between the development of influenza illness, and serum Ab titers and ex vivo cellular immune responses to influenza vaccination in community dwelling older adults including those with congestive heart failure (CHF). Adults age 60 years and older (90 subjects), and 10 healthy young adult controls received the 2003-04 trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine. Laboratory diagnosed influenza (LDI) was documented in 9 of 90 older adults. Pre- and postvaccination Ab titers did not distinguish between subjects who would subsequently develop influenza illness (LDI subjects) and those who would not (non-LDI subjects). In contrast, PBMC restimulated ex vivo with live influenza virus preparations showed statistically significant differences between LDI and non-LDI subjects. The mean IFN-gamma:IL-10 ratio in influenza A/H3N2-stimulated PBMC was 10-fold lower in LDI vs non-LDI subjects. Pre-and postvaccination granzyme B levels were significantly lower in CHF subjects with LDI compared with subjects without LDI. In non-CHF subjects with LDI, granzyme B levels increased to high levels at the time of influenza infection. In conclusion, measures of the ex vivo cellular immune response to influenza are correlated with protection against influenza while serum Ab responses may be limited as a sole measure of vaccine efficacy in older people. Ex vivo measures of the cell-mediated immune response should be incorporated into evaluation of new vaccines for older adults.

Determination of concentration and aggregate size in influenza virus preparations from true UV absorption spectra

It is well-known that influenza virus (IV) preparations are characterized by very large contribution of light-scattering to their UV absorption spectra. With the help of so called extrapolation method we managed to measure true absorption spectra of IV preparations and to determine absorption coefficients (E0.1(1) (cm, 280)) for the intact IV virions and for IV subviral particles. These coefficients turned out to equal 1.26 +/- 0.17 and 0.96 +/- 0.11 for the virions and subviral particles respectively. The knowledge of exact IV concentration is necessary for quantitative physico-chemical studies of IV virions and their components. It is also shown that UV absorption spectra measurements allow to register IV virion aggregation. Aggregation properties of IV subviral particles were also studied.

Heat-aggregated noninfectious influenza virus induces a more balanced CD8(+)-T-lymphocyte immunodominance hierarchy than infectious virus.

CD8(+)-T-cell (T(CD8+)) responses to infectious viruses are characterized by an immunodominance hierarchy in which the majority of T(CD8+) respond to one or a few immunodominant determinants, with a minority of T(CD8+) responding to a number of subdominant determinants. It is now well established that exogenous antigens are capable of inducing T(CD8+) to such immunodominant determinants, but the diversity of the response and the nature of the immunodominance hierarchy have not been examined. We addressed this issue by characterizing T(CD8+) responses to influenza virus preparations rendered inert by incubation for 10 min at 100 degrees C, as first reported by Speidel et al. (Eur. J. Immunol. 27:2391-2399, 1997). Extending these findings, we show that the primary T(CD8+) response to boiled virus can be sufficiently robust to be detected ex vivo by intracellular cytokine staining and that the response encompasses many of the peptides recognized by T(CD8+) induced by infectious virus. Importantly, the immunodominance hierarchy elicited was leveled, and we were unable to detect T(CD8+) that were specific for boiled virus. We used peritoneal exudate cells as antigen-presenting cells in vitro, and a number of observations indicated that boiled virus is processed via a phagocytic route that is likely to be endosomal in nature. These findings suggest that the repertoires of immunogenic peptides generated by endosomes and cytosolic processes overlap to a surprising degree. Furthermore, they demonstrate that the form of antigen administered can influence immunodominance hierarchies and that exogenous-antigen vaccines can induce broad and balanced T(CD8+) responses.

Analysis of the frequencies and of the memory T cell phenotypes of human CD8+ T cells specific for influenza A viruses.

We characterized the human CD8+ T cell response against influenza A viruses by a flow cytometry-based assay. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were incubated with inactivated influenza virus preparation, for 17 h, and were stained for intracellular interferon-gamma. Major histocompatibility complex class I-restricted memory CD8+ T cells specific for influenza antigens were detected in PBMCs from all 19 adult donors, at an average frequency of 0.39%. On average, 83% of influenza virus-specific CD8+ T cells expressed the differentiation-associated marker CD27, a percentage that is significantly higher than that of CD8+ T cells specific for pp65 of human cytomegalovirus (53%). These observations indicate that class I-restricted immunity against influenza A viruses is characterized by the persistence, after clearance of infection, of circulating antigen-specific CD8+ T cells. The different patterns of CD27 expression in influenza virus- and cytomegalovirus-specific CD8+ T cells suggest that influenza virus-specific memory and effector CD8+ T cells can be differentiated by phenotypic analysis.

Priming of cytotoxic T lymphocytes by five heat-aggregated antigens in vivo: conditions, efficiency, and relation to antibody responses.

Mice were immunized i.p. with soluble or heat-denatured protein antigens [ovalbumin, beta-galactosidase, or recombinant E7 protein of human papilloma virus type 16 (HBV)]. Heat-denatured (100 degrees C) preparations of these proteins were able to induce cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) that recognize cells expressing the respective genes, whereas native protein was either inefficient or required up to 30-fold higher doses. If the heat-treated proteins were separated into aggregated and soluble fractions by ultracentrifugation, only the aggregated fractions were able to induce specific CTL; this is probably because of the easier access to one of the major histocompatibility complex class I loading pathways for exogenous antigen. Addition of the adjuvant aluminium hydroxide (alum) to aggregated proteins abolished their ability to induce CTL; thus, a condition leading to a strong antibody response appeared to inhibit CTL induction. Interestingly, immunization with heat-denatured ovalbumin plus alum increased the IgM/IgG1 ratio compared to immunization with native ovalbumin and alum. Immunization of B6 mice transgenic for an HLA-A2/H-2K(b) hybrid gene with heat-denatured, recombinant HPV 16-E7 protein induced D(b)-restricted CTL specific for the peptide 49-57 of E7, indicating that this epitope is immunodominant over any A2-restricted E7 epitope in these mice. A whole influenza virus preparation heated to 100 degrees C or even autoclaved was still able to induce virus-specific CTL and BALB/c spleen cells heated to 100 degrees C could still cross-prime minor H-specific CTL in B6 mice, although with lower efficiency than fresh spleen cells. Thus, aggregated proteins can be considered as components for future vaccines.

Influenza: interspecies transmission and emergence of new pandemics.

Influenza is a well-known yearly threat, so why is it considered to be an emerging disease? It is because the virus evolves so rapidly that every year new viruses emerge, and every century three to four emergent strains are ‘new’ enough to cause pandemics. Historically, pandemics have been both unpredictable and devastating. As we learn more about how and where pandemic strains evolve, strategies for blocking their emergence and for recognition of potentially dangerous strains will become possible [1]. The single most significant characteristic of the influenza virus that makes it such an important threat is its enormous variability. Several features of the virus contribute to its variability. The first is that the polymerase complex makes mistakes when replicating the viral genes, and, since there is no built-in proofreading mechanism for RNA viruses, a lot of variation accumulates. Many of these variant viruses will not survive, because the acquired changes will make them unable to grow, but many genetic mistakes are well tolerated. Any preparation of influenza virus is a mixture of these variants, one of which might emerge and become a dominant new strain. The second, and probably more important, feature is the segmented nature of the genome. There are eight genetic segments, each specifying a unique viral function. When individual cells are infected by two different viruses, new strains can evolve that have some of their eight genetic segments derived from each of the infecting ‘parents’. ‘Genetic reassortment’, as this is called, is a pivotal factor in emergence of pandemic strains. Adding to the potential for variability, occasionally there also can be true genetic recombination between segments. The third feature is the large number of strains possible, because of the large number of potential permutations of the two viral surface glycoproteins, the principal determinants of humoral immunity. …

In vitro reconstitution of active influenza virus ribonucleoprotein complexes using viral proteins purified from infected cells.

A procedure to obtain RNA-free preparations containing the nucleoprotein (NP) and polymerase (P) proteins from influenza virus-infected cell extracts has been developed. The influenza virus P proteins present in these preparations copied small synthetic RNA molecules derived from plasmid sequences. In addition, RNA molecules encapsidated with the NP and P proteins were amplified and packaged into virus particles when transfected into influenza virus-infected cells. Thus, the preparations of NP and P proteins display features similar to those isolated from purified influenza virions, and represent an alternative for the preparation of active influenza virus P protein.

The Acquisition of Anti-Influenza Virus Activity by Macrophages

Exposure of resident peritoneal macrophages or thioglycollate-induced macrophages (TGMø) to influenza or Sendai virus-infected spleen cell culture supernatants (MAS) resulted in macrophage activation. When normal resident macrophages were used as effector cells, both infected P815 and L929 cells were lysed in the presence of MAS. MAS-activated TG-Mrø also lysed influenza virus-infected L929 cells. Histocompatibility between effector cells and target cells was not required for target cell destruction. The effector cells were plastic-adherent, phagocytic and Ia -. MAS-activated macrophages were also resistant to influenza virus infection in vitro. Both infectious and non-infectious preparations of influenza or Sendai virus preparations were effective at generating MAS. The mediator(s) which renders macrophages to become cytotoxic and resistant to infection was acid-stable, heat-labile (56°C, 30 min; or 100°C, 5 min), and the activity was neutralized by sheep antimouse type 1 interferon (IFN).

Characterization of three highly purified influenza virus strains by electron microscopy.

Mass determinations on highly purified influenza virus preparations were performed using the technique of scanning transmission electron microscopy. The masses of the three strains, X49, B/Singapore/222/79 and B/Hong Kong/8/73 were determined. The average value was 174 X 10(6) daltons with only small differences between the three strains. The mass of virus particles after removal of the protruding spike proteins, haemagglutinin and neuraminidase by bromelain treatment was determined to be 86 X 10(6) daltons. From the mass difference and the known molecular weight of the spike proteins the number of spikes was estimated to lie in the range 400 to 500.

International collaborative study of single-radial-diffusion and immunoelectrophoresis techniques for the assay of haemagglutinin antigen of influenza virus

An international collaborative study to evaluate single-radial-diffusion (SRD) and immunoelectrophoresis (IEP) techniques for the immunoassay of the haemagglutinin antigen of influenza A and B virus preparations is described. Twenty-five laboratories from 14 countries were provided with freeze-dried preparations of influenza virus which were examined by SRD and IEP using standardized assay conditions. The variation between potency estimates was examined statistically and only small differences between laboratories were found. In addition, there was good agreement between potency estimates obtained by SRD and IEP techniques for antigen preparations containing intact virus particles (whole virus vaccines) but consistent differences between potency estimates from these techniques when applied to antigen preparations containing disrupted virus particles.

Induction of homotypic and heterotypic T- and B-cell immunity with influenza A virus in mice

Infection of mice with live influenza A virus induces cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) as well as B cells capable of reacting with target cells infected with the appropriate virus subtypes. In Balb/c mice CTL reveal a broad cross-reactivity against all influenza A substrains known. In contrast B-cell responses are restricted to virus subtypes which are identical in regard to the hemagglutinin (HA) of the sensitizing virus. Reinfection with homologous live influenza virus within 6–7 months results in no or in a drastically diminished B-cell response as compared to a priming situation and fails to induce CTL. Inability to induce secondary immunity to homologous influenza virus was correlated with the presence of circulating antibodies specific for the sensitizing virus subtype. Cross-boosting with heterologous live influenza A virus induces homotypic and heterotypic CTL and B-cell immunity with characteristics of secondary responses. Preparations of inactivated intact influenza virus are unable to reactivate CTL memory in vivo but induce B-cell activity. B-cell responses stimulated by this procedure are restricted to the boosting virus. Attenuated viruses, which are produced by recombination of wild strains with cold-adapted strains, are also efficient in stimulating in vivo CTL memory if used for cross-boosting.

Effect of helper T cells on the primary in vitro production of delayed-type hypersensitivity to influenza virus.

Injection of mice with infectious or noninfectious preparations of influenza virus induces the formation of T cells which, when added to primary tissue cultures of normal spleen cells exposed to influenza virus, enhance the generation of effector T cells which mediate delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction. The enhancing cells possess Thy-1 and Ly-1 surface antigens are radioresistant and antigen-specific. If infectious virus was used to stimulate the DTH response in vitro, help was delivered whether homologous or heterologous A strain influenza virus was used to generate the helper T cells (Th) in vivo. In contrast, only Th cells generated using homologous virus were effective if noninfectious virus was used to stimulate the DTH response in vitro. Peak helper activity occurred 2 d after virus injection and the Th cells were only effective if added to the primary cultures within 24 h after addition of the stimulating antigen. The Th cells enhanced the generation of both classes of DTH effector cells, i.e., those that are Ly-1 positive and IA-subregion restricted and those that are Ly-2,3 positive and K,D-region restricted. The activity of the Th cells was found to be IA-subregion restricted and this was shown to operate at the level of the stimulator cells so that the delivery of help to the responder cells was not H-2 restricted. The possibility that the Th cells might be a precursor to the Ly-1 positive IA subregion-restricted DTH effector cells is discussed.

Influenza defective interfering viral RNA is formed by internal deletion of genomic RNA.

The 3'- and 5'-terminal nucleotide sequences of the defective interfering (DI) RNAs present in a preparation of DI influenza virus were determined. It was found that all DI RNAs possessed identical terminal sequences for at least the first 13 nucleotides at the 5' end and at least the last 12 nucleotides at the 3' end. The sequence of the DI RNAs is (5')A-G-U-A-G-A-A-A-C-A-A-G-G-...-C-C-U-G-C-U-U-U-C-G-C-U-OH(3'). In addition, the same sequences were present at the 3' and 5' termini of the viral polymerase genes (P1, P2, and P3) from which these DI RNAs originate. These results indicate that DI RNAs of influenzing virus are formed by an internal deletion of the genomic RNA.

Transcriptase activity and genome composition of defective influenza virus.

Eight genome RNA segments are present in both normal and von Magnustype influenza virus preparations and all species are transcribed by the virion-associated polymerase. Although the RNA polymerase activity and the amount of the three largest RNA segments are reduced in defective influenza virus preparations, these reductions do not appear to be great enough to account for the much greater loss of infectivity.