Mimicry between proteins of human and avian influenza viruses and host immune system proteins

Abstract

Viral infection can lead to dangerous and severe manifestations associated with immunosuppression and a cytokine storm. The last is typical for influenza A virus infection of H1N1 subtype, when the level of cytokines in the peripheral blood is significantly elevated, leading to severe inflammatory damage and pathogenesis. In the present study, we performed a comparative computer analysis of amino acid fragments of host immune system proteins homologous to amino acids fragments of viral proteins of influenza A viruses of H1N1 subtype and avian influenza viruses of H5N1 and H7N9 subtypes. Homologous amino acid sequences of cellular protein integrin-α L and NALP1 were found in PB2 proteins of all studied viruses, as well TNF-α—in NP proteins. In addition, amino acid sequences homologous in IL-36 to NA proteins and C9 in M1 in H1N1 and H5N1 subtypes were found. At the same time, avian influenza viruses significantly differ from human influenza viruses in the composition of mimicking cellular proteins. In particular, avian influenza viruses have fragments homologous to different proteins of the NALP family (3, 13), TLR, IL-13, CD22, CD55, that are absent in human influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 viruses. Bioinformatic analysis data on the detection of fragments in the structure of influenza virus proteins that mimic the proteins of the innate and adaptive human immune system will serve as the basis for experimental studies to identify the role of homologous fragments in the regulation of the host immune system.