Tiansheng Xie

Novel Reassortant Influenza A(H5N8) Viruses in Domestic Ducks, Eastern China

Domestic ducks are natural reservoirs of avian influenza viruses and serve as reassortant hosts for new virus subtypes. We isolated 2 novel influenza A(H5N8) viruses from domestic ducks in eastern China, sequenced their genomes, and tested their pathogenicity in chickens and mice. Circulation of these viruses may pose health risks for humans.

Novel reassortant highly pathogenic H5N6 avian influenza viruses in poultry in China.

We characterized two novel highly pathogenic H5N6 influenza viruses isolated from Chinese poultry in 2013. Genomic analysis showed that both isolates were reassortants, and derived their genes from H5 and H6 subtype viruses found in poultry in China. The virulence of the two isolates was examined in chickens and mice, and both isolates were found to be highly pathogenic in chickens and only moderately virulent for mice. Our results show that continued circulation of these viruses could endanger both avian species and humans.

Detection of the long noncoding RNAs nuclear-enriched autosomal transcript 1 (NEAT1) and metastasis associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 in the peripheral blood of HIV-1-infected patients

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in HIV‐1 infection have not been extensively studied. Here we detected two lncRNAs, nuclear‐enriched autosomal transcript 1 (NEAT1) and metastasis associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and plasma of HIV‐1‐infected patients.

Characterization of a novel highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza virus isolated from a duck in eastern China

During surveillance for avian influenza viruses (AIVs) in live-poultry markets (LPMs) in eastern China in 2013, one H5N2 AIV was isolated from a duck. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the hemagglutinin of this strain belongs to clade 2.3.4 and received its genes from H5, H3 and H6 AIVs of poultry in China. The virulence of this strain was examined in chickens and mice, and it was found to be highly pathogenic in chickens but demonstrated moderate pathogenicity in mice. These results suggest that active surveillance of AIVs in LPMs should be used in an early warning system for avian influenza outbreaks.

Multiple amino acid substitutions involved in the adaptation of avian-origin influenza A (H10N7) virus in mice.

AbstractTo identify substitutions that are possibly associated with the adaptation of avian-origin H10N7 virus to mammals, adaptation of the H10N7 virus in mouse lung was carried out by serial lung-to-lung passage. Genomic analysis of the mouse-adapted virus revealed amino acid changes in the PB2 (E627K), PA (T97I), and HA (G409E) proteins, and this virus was more virulent in mice than the wild-type virus. Our results suggest that these substitutions are involved in the enhancement of the replication efficiency of avian-origin H10N7 virus, resulting in severe disease in mice. Continued poultry surveillance of these substitutions in H10N7 viruses is required.

Isolation and characterization of a novel H10N2 avian influenza virus from a domestic duck in Eastern China.

During the surveillance for avian influenza viruses (AIVs) in live poultry markets (LPMs) in Eastern China, in 2013, an H10N2 AIV was isolated from a domestic duck. Phylogenetic analysis showed that this strain received its genes from H10, H1 and H7 AIVs of wild birds in China. The virulence of this strain was examined in chickens and mice, and was found to be low pathogenic in chickens but demonstrated moderate pathogenicity in mice. These results suggest that active surveillance of AIVs in LPMs should be used in an early warning system for avian influenza outbreaks.

Novel reassortant H10N7 avian influenza viruses isolated from chickens in Eastern China.

BACKGROUND Since 2004, the H10N7 subtype avian influenza virus (AIV) has caused sporadic human infections with variable clinical symptoms world-wide. However, there is limited information pertaining to the molecular characteristics of H10N7 AIVs in China. OBJECTIVE To more fully characterize the genetic relationships between three novel H10N7 strains isolated from chickens in Eastern China and the strains isolated from birds throughout Asia, and to determine the pathogenicity of the H10N7 isolates in vivo. STUDY DESIGN All eight gene segments from the Chinese H10N7 strains were sequenced and compared with AIV strains available in GenBank. The virulence of the three isolates was determined in chickens and mice. RESULTS Three H10N7 subtype avian influenza viruses were isolated from chickens in live poultry markets in Eastern China in 2014: (1) A/chicken/Zhejiang/2C66/2014(H10N7) (ZJ-2C66), (2) A/chicken/Zhejiang/2CP2/2014(H10N7) (ZJ-2CP2), and (3) A/chicken/Zhejiang/2CP8/2014(H10N7) (ZJ-2CP8). Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the viruses contained genetic material from H10, H2, H7, and H3 AIV strains that were circulating at the same time. The reassortant H10N7 viruses were found to be minimally pathogenic in chickens and moderately pathogenic in mice. The viruses were able to replicate in mice without prior adaptation. CONCLUSION These results suggest that H10N7 surveillance in poultry should be used as an early warning system for avian influenza outbreaks. The novel strains identified here may post a threat to human health in the future if they continue to circulate.

Severe dyslipidemia and immune activation in HIV patients with dysglycemia.

Background and Objective: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is common in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. However, the relationship between dysglycemia, lipid metabolism, and immune activation in HIV patients is poorly understood. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 180 HIV patients, including 153 patients undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and 27 HAART-naive patients. DM was defined as fasting serum glucose levels ≥126 mg/dl, and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) was defined as serum glucose levels of 101–125 mg/dl at two different time points. Lipid metabolic indexes were measured. CD4+, CD8+, and CD8+ HLA-DR+ T cells were determined by flow cytometry. Results: IFM and DM percentages were higher in the HAART group than in the HAART-naive group (59.5% vs. 48.1% and 21.6% vs. 7.4%, respectively; p < 0.01). Additionally, DM percentage was high in patients receiving HAART containing protease inhibitors. Serum levels of triglycerides and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were higher in IFG and DM HAART patients than in euglycemic HAART patients (p < 0.05). Serum triglyceride levels were higher in HAART-naive DM patients than in other patients (p < 0.05). CD8+ and CD8+ HLA-DR+ cell counts were higher in IFG and DM HAART patients than in euglycemic HAART patients (p < 0.05). Ordinal logistic regression analysis suggested that TRIG, VLDL, CD8, and HAART were predictors of glucose metabolic disorders. Conclusion: HIV patients with hyperglycemia have severe dyslipidemia and immune activation, and HAART is an important impact factor of glucose and lipid metabolic disorders.

MicroRNA‐155 is a biomarker of T‐cell activation and immune dysfunction in HIV‐1‐infected patients

MicroRNA‐155 (miR‐155) regulates T‐cell differentiation and activation. It has also been associated with HIV infection. However, it remains unclear whether miR‐155 is related to the T‐cell response in HIV‐infected individuals (e.g. T‐cell activation and exhaustion).

Isolation and genetic characterization of novel reassortant H6N6 subtype avian influenza viruses isolated from chickens in eastern China.

H6 subtype avian influenza viruses (AIVs) possess the ability to cross the species barrier to infect mammals and pose a threat to human health. From June 2014 to July 2015, 12 H6N6 AIVs were isolated from chickens in live-poultry markets in Zhejiang Province, Eastern China. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these isolates received their genes from H6 and H9N2 subtype AIVs of poultry in China. These novel reassortant viruses showed moderate pathogenicity in mice and were able to replicate in mice without prior adaptation. Considering that novel reassorted H6N6 viruses were isolated from chickens in this study, it is possible that these chickens play an important role in the generation of novel reassorted H6N6 AIVs, and these results emphasize the need for continued surveillance of the H6N6 AIVs circulating in poultry.