HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via CrossRef Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Ilobi, C. P. Articles by Wood, J. M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Ilobi, C. P. Articles by Wood, J. M. Agricola Articles by Ilobi, C. P. Articles by Wood, J. M.

Antigenic and molecular characterization of host cell-mediated variants of equine H3N8 influenza viruses

Richard Henfrey^1,

¹ Division of Virology, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Blanche Lane, South Mimms, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 3QG,
² Department of Infectious Diseases, Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kennett, Suffolk CB8 7PN, U.K.
and³ Veterinary Research Institute, Department of Agriculture and Water Supply, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa

Antigenic differences between three of six equine influenza virus (H3N8) MDCK cell- and egg-derived pairs have been demonstrated using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. Sequencing of the haemagglutinin (HA) genes revealed amino acid changes in four of the six virus pairs. These data contrast with those for human isolates of influenza virus in that it was predominantly tissue culture-isolated equine virus and not egg-derived virus which displayed heterogeneity. Some of the molecular changes involved are located within the vicinity of the cell receptor-binding site (positions 156, 158 and 222) whereas others are in the vicinity of the HA1-HA2 cleavage site (positions 18 and 32 of HA1 and position 12 of HA2). Our results indicate that the host cell can play a part in selecting antigenic variants of equine influenza virus and suggest that the egg, and not cell culture as is the case for human isolates, is the preferred host for vaccine and antigenic studies.

Present address: Applied Biosystems Ltd, Kelvin Close, Birchwood Science Park North, Warrington, Cheshire WA3 7TB, U.K.

Received 29 July 1993; accepted 6 October 1993.