Published in:
01-08-2010 | Original Article
Induction of TNF-α in human macrophages by avian and human influenza viruses
Authors:
Yuwarat Monteerarat, Saori Sakabe, Somying Ngamurulert, Sirawat Srichatraphimuk, Wasana Jiamtom, Kridsada Chaichuen, Arunee Thitithanyanont, Parichart Permpikul, Taweesak Songserm, Pilaipan Puthavathana, Chairul A. Nidom, Le Quynh Mai, Kiyoko Iwatsuki-Horimoto, Yoshihiro Kawaoka, Prasert Auewarakul
Published in:
Archives of Virology
|
Issue 8/2010
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Abstract
The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 is known to induce high level of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) from primary macrophages. However, it is still unclear whether current H5N1 strains also induce high TNF-α production, as most of the data were derived from extinct clade 0 H5N1 strain. Here, we show that current clade 1 and 2 H5N1 strains induce variable levels of TNF-α that are not necessarily higher than those induced by seasonal influenza viruses. The result suggests that hyper-induction of TNF-α in human macrophages is not always associated with a highly pathogenic phenotype. We further tested the contribution of the NS gene segment from H5N1 isolates to TNF-α induction by using reverse genetics. While NS conferred some variation in TNF-α induction when incorporated into an H1N1 virus genetic background, it did not affect TNF-α induction in an H5N1 virus genetic background, suggesting that other viral genes are involved.