ORCID Profile
0000-0003-0271-0180
Current Organisation
CSIRO
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Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 10-06-2021
Abstract: Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) in gallinaceous poultry are associated with viral infection of the endothelium, the induction of a ‘cytokine storm, and severe disease. In contrast, in Pekin ducks, HPAIVs are rarely endothelial tropic, and a cytokine storm is not observed. To date, understanding these species-dependent differences in pathogenesis has been h ered by the absence of a pure culture of duck and chicken endothelial cells. Here, we use our recently established in vitro cultures of duck and chicken aortic endothelial cells to investigate species-dependent differences in the response of endothelial cells to HPAIV H5N1 infection. We demonstrate that chicken and duck endothelial cells display a different transcriptional response to HPAI H5N1 infection in vitro—with chickens displaying a more pro-inflammatory response to infection. As similar observations were recorded following in vitro stimulation with the viral mimetic polyI:C, these findings were not specific to an HPAIV H5N1 infection. However, similar species-dependent differences in the transcriptional response to polyI:C were not observed in avian fibroblasts. Taken together, these data demonstrate that chicken and duck endothelial cells display a different response to HPAIV H5N1 infection, and this may help account for the species-dependent differences observed in inflammation in vivo.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 23-01-2023
DOI: 10.1186/S13059-022-02838-0
Abstract: The Australian black swan ( Cygnus atratus ) is an iconic species with contrasting plumage to that of the closely related northern hemisphere white swans. The relative geographic isolation of the black swan may have resulted in a limited immune repertoire and increased susceptibility to infectious diseases, notably infectious diseases from which Australia has been largely shielded. Unlike mallard ducks and the mute swan ( Cygnus olor ), the black swan is extremely sensitive to highly pathogenic avian influenza. Understanding this susceptibility has been impaired by the absence of any available swan genome and transcriptome information. Here, we generate the first chromosome-length black and mute swan genomes annotated with transcriptome data, all using long-read based pipelines generated for vertebrate species. We use these genomes and transcriptomes to show that unlike other wild waterfowl, black swans lack an expanded immune gene repertoire, lack a key viral pattern-recognition receptor in endothelial cells and mount a poorly controlled inflammatory response to highly pathogenic avian influenza. We also implicate genetic differences in SLC45A2 gene in the iconic plumage of the black swan. Together, these data suggest that the immune system of the black swan is such that should any avian viral infection become established in its native habitat, the black swan would be in a significant peril.
Publisher: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Date: 08-2016
Publisher: University of Queensland Library
Date: 2022
DOI: 10.14264/EC49B14
Publisher: eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd
Date: 16-02-2021
DOI: 10.7554/ELIFE.61803
Abstract: Influenza virus has a high mutation rate, such that within one host different viral variants can emerge. Evidence suggests that influenza virus variants are more prevalent in pregnant and/or obese in iduals due to their impaired interferon response. We have recently shown that the non-allergic, paucigranulocytic subtype of asthma is associated with impaired type I interferon production. Here, we seek to address if this is associated with an increased emergence of influenza virus variants. Compared to controls, mice with paucigranulocytic asthma had increased disease severity and an increased emergence of influenza virus variants. Specifically, PB1 mutations exclusively detected in asthmatic mice were associated with increased polymerase activity. Furthermore, asthmatic host-derived virus led to increased disease severity in wild-type mice. Taken together, these data suggest that at least a subset of patients with asthma may be more susceptible to severe influenza and may be a possible source of new influenza virus variants.
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 03-12-2018
DOI: 10.1101/486340
Abstract: Senile plaques and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA)?are well-documented in various mammals, and several species even exhibit neurofibrillary tangle (NFT). However, we know far less about whether such symptoms are present in birds. Therefore, here we clarified the occurrence and pathogenesis of avian aβ-related lesions, analyzing the aβ amino-acid sequence across 28 birds at multiple life stages, representing 15 species, 14 genera, and 9 nine families.?We also determined the expected aβ amino-acid sequence after comparing data from the brains of nine birds (seven species) with publicly available NCBI data. We observed CAA and senile plaque-like deposition only in a female Amazon parrot, estimated to be around 30–40 years old. We identified two Aβ depositions (40 and 42) in the same location that correspond to Aβ 6-42. Additionally, we observed severe Aβ deposition, accompanied by severe hemorrhaging, in blood vessels of the superficial and deep portions of the brain. These lesions were directly related to the cause of death. Of 40 bird species, 36 exhibited type 1 Aβ amino-acid sequences, similar to humans. Given that all of these birds were old, our results suggest that Aβ is deposited primarily as CAA as the animals age. This report is the first clinically based description of CAA in birds. Interspecific variation likely exists because we identified species that did not exhibit Aβ deposition even when the birds are old enough. However, even birds of the same taxonomic status differed in whether they possessed or lacked Aβ deposition. Thus, other factors besides Aβ amino-acid sequence could influence this symptom.
Location: Australia
No related grants have been discovered for Anjana Chamal Karawita.