Novel insights into bat influenza A viruses

Abstract

In 2012 and 2013, influenza virus genome sequences of two new influenza A virus (IAV) subtypes were discovered in bat specimens, but further characterization was largely impeded by the lack of infectious virus. With the identification of highly susceptible cell lines, reconstitution of infectious bat IAV by reverse genetics recently succeeded and allowed a first insight into the life cycle of these viruses. Although there is a certain degree of functional compatibility between bat and conventional influenza A virus proteins, there are striking differences, including receptor usage, polarity of infection and reassortment potential.

Viruses in bats and potential spillover to animals and humans

“…Identification of these viruses in bats not only expanded the host reservoir of influenza and the genetic diversity of the viruses, but immediately raised the question about zoonotic potential. Studies using synthetic viruses have allowed the identification and characterization of cellular receptors mediating virus attachment and entry, factors important for understanding the tissue tropism and possible zoonotic transmission [112][113][114].…”

Vaccines the tugboat for prevention-based animal production

“…Avian influenza, swine influenza, equine influenza, and canine influenza are the most common types of influenza virus A infection in birds, pigs, equines, and canines, respectively (Webster et al, 1992;Yoo et al, 2018). At present 16 hemagglutinin (HA) and 9 neuraminidase (NA) subtypes have been recognized, while 2 additional HA and NA subtypes have been identified in bats and these subtypes can form thousands of antigenic combination (Gamblin and Skehel, 2010;Ciminski et al, 2017). Influenza virus A subtypes; H7N7and H3N8 cause respiratory disease in horses, H1N1, H1N2 and H3N8 cause influenza in swine, H3N8 and H3N2 cause respiratory implications in dogs (Yoo et al, 2018).…”

Bat-Borne Influenza A Viruses: An Awakening

“…Therefore, although the precise molecular mechanism in mediating the interplay of NP amino acids and vRNA is currently unknown, this study showed for the first time that both packaging sequences and specific amino acids in NP act in concert to guarantee a coordinated packaging process. It furthermore suggests that circulation of bat and conventional IAVs in different, nonoverlapping host species might have driven the selection of different sets of matching pairs of packaging sequences and NP amino acids (Ciminski et al 2017).…”