Adaptive mutations in HA of avian H9N2 influenza viruses facilitate their transmission to swine.

ABSTRACT: The cross-species transmission of avian H9N2 influenza viruses to swine increases the risk of viral adaptation to mammalian hosts. However, the mechanisms by which these H9 viruses can overcome the barriers posed by swine hosts have not yet been fully elucidated. In previous studies, we identified avian H9 strains exhibiting either infective or noninfective phenotypes in swine. Here, we investigated the role of surface genes in cross-species transmission by replacing the surface genes of noninfective strains with those of their infective counterparts. We demonstrated that the surface genes of the infective strains, particularly the hemagglutinin (HA) gene, restored infectivity in pigs for two previously noninfective strains. Surface genes from infective strains significantly increased vira

SUBMITTER: Wang J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12777327 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature