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Mutation of D201G near the receptor binding site significantly drive antigenic drift of circulating H9N2 subtype avian influenza virus
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  • Jing Xia,
  • Yu-Wen Luo,
  • Meng-Yi Dong,
  • Yong-Xin Li,
  • An-Dong Wang,
  • Nian-Ling Li,
  • Yu-Xi Shen,
  • Shu-Yun Li,
  • Min Cui,
  • Xinfeng Han,
  • Song-Cheng Yu,
  • Min Li,
  • Yong Huang
Jing Xia
Sichuan Agricultural University - Chengdu Campus

Corresponding Author:xiajing1028@163.com

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Yu-Wen Luo
Sichuan Agricultural University - Chengdu Campus
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Meng-Yi Dong
Sichuan Agricultural University - Chengdu Campus
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Yong-Xin Li
Sichuan Agricultural University - Chengdu Campus
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An-Dong Wang
Sichuan Agricultural University - Chengdu Campus
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Nian-Ling Li
Sichuan Agricultural University - Chengdu Campus
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Yu-Xi Shen
Sichuan Agricultural University - Chengdu Campus
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Shu-Yun Li
Sichuan Agricultural University - Chengdu Campus
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Min Cui
Sichuan Agricultural University - Chengdu Campus
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Xinfeng Han
Sichuan Agricultural University - Chengdu Campus
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Song-Cheng Yu
Meishan Dongpo District Agricultural and Rural Burean Livestock station Meishan 620010 Sichuan China
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Min Li
Animal disease prevention and control center of Chengdu city Chengdu 610041 Sichuan China
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Yong Huang
Sichuan Agricultural University - Chengdu Campus
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Abstract

The H9N2 subtype of avian influenza virus (H9N2 AIV) has caused significant losses in chicken flocks throughout China. Our previous research has showed that field isolates of H9N2 underwent antigenic drift to evolve into distinct groups with significant antigenic divergence from the commercially available vaccines. The present study sought to identify which single mutations that have naturally appeared in isolates from the past 5 years has driven antigenic drift. Six high-frequency mutation sites in/near the receptor binding site (RBS) region were screened by comparing amino acid alignments of the H9N2 AIVs isolated from China between 2014 and 2019. Two substitutions, (A168N and D201G) were demonstrated to have a significant impact on the antigenicity, but did not change the growth kinetics and cell tropism of the virus. It is worth noting that the D201G substitution not only significantly changed the antigenicity, but also caused immune escape of the parental virus. In conclusion, A168N and D201G substitution are newly discovered determinants that can significantly change the antigenicity of H9N2 AIV, which should be tracked during outbreaks.
19 May 2022Submitted to Transboundary and Emerging Diseases
19 May 2022Submission Checks Completed
19 May 2022Assigned to Editor
22 May 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
17 Jun 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
17 Jun 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Major
10 Sep 20221st Revision Received
12 Sep 2022Submission Checks Completed
12 Sep 2022Assigned to Editor
12 Sep 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
14 Sep 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
15 Sep 2022Editorial Decision: Accept