Prions disease and pandemic risk by H5N1 avian influenza A virus (IAV) and risk of biological weapons

Abstract

The new gain-of-function of pathogen neurotropic H5N1 avian influenza A virus (IAV) strain named IAV/WSN /33 (H1N1) induced not only the conversion of normal cell-surface glycoprotein (PrPC) into a prion beta-structure-rich insoluble conformer (PrPSc). But also, the formation of infectious prions in cultured mouse neuroblastoma (N2aC24) cells. Thus, is plausible to use this virus as a biological weapon. So, the major infectious risk is a recombinant virus of prions which can be dispersed by aerosol, emerging as potential danger since they can be used in the development of biological weapons. Because recombinant prions are infectious either bound to soil particles or in aerosols. In addition, viruses just as prions can maintain their ability to infection, remaining in the ground for a long time. Therefore, lethal prions can be developed by malicious researchers, who could use it to attack political enemies causing diseases above suspicion.