- A/H5N1 avian influenza and SARS appear to have some similarity
in structure and mechanism of disease process
-
- Influenza A/H5N1 appears, in its H5 (hemagglutinin) to
have a segment remarkably similar to T-cell Alpha/Beta V-chain Receptor:
-
- gi|51829675|ref|XP_489762.1| ----------------------IRPVSNKKEDGRFTIFFN--------KR
97
- gi|51794732|ref|XP_486501.1| ----------------------IRPVSNKKEDGRFTIFFN--------KR
97
- gi|51829653|ref|XP_489752.1| ----------------------ISLVSNKKEDGRFTIFFN--------KR
97
- gi|51768679|ref|XP_111561.3| ----------------------IRSVSDKKEDGRFTIFFN--------KR
96
- gi|27699385|ref|XP_224054.1| ----------------------LSSVSNKKEDGRFTVFFR--------KS
96
- gi|34874715|ref|XP_344343.1| ----------------------ISSVSNKKEDGRFTVFFR--------KS
96
- gi|34874747|ref|XP_224112.2| ----------------------IRSVSNKKEDGRFTVFLR--------KS
96
- gi|5821923|pdb|1BWM|A ----------------------ISLVSNKKEDGRFTIFFN--------KR
206
- gi|6730291|pdb|1D9K|E ----------------------ISLVSNKKEDGRFTIFFN--------KR
67
- gi|58198725|gb|AAW66002.1| IIDKMNTQFEAVGREFNHLERRIENLNKKMEDGFLDVWTYNAELLVLMEN
450
- gi|50952820|gb|AAT90337.1| IIDKMNTQFEAVGREFNNLERRIENLNKKMEDGFLDVWTYNAELLVLMEN
406
- gi|32165584|gb|AAP72006.1| IIDKMNTQFEAVGKEFSNLERRIENLNKKMEDGFLNVWTYNAELLVLMEN
430
- gi|32165582|gb|AAP72005.1| IIDKMNTQFEAVGKEFSNLERRIENLNKKMEDGFLNVWTYNAELLVLMEN
430
- gi|4240446|gb|AAD13571.1| IIDKMNTQFEAVGKEFNNLERRIENLNKKMEDGFLNVWTYNAELLVLMEN
446
- gi|75061|pir||HMIVC2 IIDKMNTRFEAVGKEFNNLERRVENLNKKMEDGFLDVWTYNVELLVLMEN
446
-
: :..* *** : :: :
-
-
- Short Section of H5 Hemagglutinin appears related to
TCR-alpha/beta V-chain. If we side-by-side H5 to TCRalpha/beta we get
the following:
-
- gi|5821923|pdb|1BWM|A ----------------------ISLVSNKK-EDGRFTIFFN--------KR
206
- gi|58198725|gb|AAW66002.1| ----------------------IENL-NKKMEDGFLDVWTYNAELLVLMEN
450
-
- * *** ***
-
- Above section maximizes the alignment for maximum short-sequence
homology between TCRalpha-beta V-chain and H5N1 hemagglutinin. Data appear
to suggest that H5N1 may, in this short sequence, above, be mimicking Alpha-Beta
T-cell Receptor and would, in this regard, act similar to a superantigen.
Net result from this is to expect H5N1 pathology to cause severe lung
damage as a result of inflammation brought about by the superantigen-like
sequences. It is also highly likely that H5N1 will produce leukocytopenia
as a result of this action. H5N1 seems, in this regard, to be somewhat
similar to SARS action.
-
- The aligned sections of SARS and H5N1 that correspond
most closely to matches of TCRalpha-beta V-chain are shown below:
-
- gi|75061|pir||HMIVC2 --------------MEFFWTILKPNDAINFESNGNFIAPR----------
267
- gi|29836496|ref|NP_828851.1| VNCTDVSTAIHADQLTPAWRIYSTGNNVFQTQAGCLIGAEHVDTSYECDI
650
- : *
* ...: : . * :*...
-
- gi|75061|pir||HMIVC2 ------------------------YAYKIVKKGDSAIMKSG---------
284
- gi|29836496|ref|NP_828851.1| PIGAGICASYHTVSLLRSTSQKSIVAYTMSLGADSSIAYSNNTIAIPTNF
700
-
**.: .**:* *.
-
- gi|75061|pir||HMIVC2 -----------------------------------LAYGNCDTKCQTPVG
299
- gi|29836496|ref|NP_828851.1| SISITTEVMPVSMAKTSVDCNMYICGDSTECANLLLQYGSFCTQLNRALS
750
-
- * **. *: : .:.
-
- gi|75061|pir||HMIVC2 EINS--------------------------SMPFHNIHPHTIGECPKYVK
323
- gi|29836496|ref|NP_828851.1| GIAAEQDRNTREVFAQVKQMYKTPTLKYFGGFNFSQILPDPLKPTKRSFI
800
- * :
.: * :* *..: : .
-
- gi|75061|pir||HMIVC2 SDRLVLATGLRNVPQRKKRGLFG---------------------------
346
- gi|29836496|ref|NP_828851.1| EDLLFNKVTLADAGFMKQYGECLGDINARDLICAQKFNGLTVLPPLLTDD
850
- .* *. . * :. *:
*
-
- gi|75061|pir||HMIVC2 --------AIAGFIEGGWQG-------------MVDGWYGYHHSN-----
370
- gi|29836496|ref|NP_828851.1| MIAAYTAALVSGTATAGWTFGAGAALQIPFAMQMAYRFNGIGVTQNVLYE
900
- ::* .**
*. : * ::
-
- gi|75061|pir||HMIVC2 -----------------EQGSGYAADKESTQKAIDGITNKVNSIIDKMNT
403
- gi|29836496|ref|NP_828851.1| NQKQIANQFNKAISQIQESLTTTSTALGKLQDVVNQNAQALNTLVKQLSS
950
- *.
: :: . *..:: :: :*:::.::.:
-
- gi|75061|pir||HMIVC2 RFEAVGKEFNNLERRVENLNKKMEDG------FLDVWTYNVELLVLMENE
447
- gi|29836496|ref|NP_828851.1| NFGAISSVLNDILSRLDKVEAEVQIDRLITGRLQSLQTYVTQQLIRAAEI
1000
- .* *:.. :*:: *:::::
::: . : .: ** .: *: :
-
- gi|75061|pir||HMIVC2 RT--------------------------------------------LDFH
453
- gi|29836496|ref|NP_828851.1| RASANLAATKMSECVLGQSKRVDFCGKGYHLMSFPQAAPHGVVFLHVTYV
1050
- *: : :
-
- From the above, the most consistency between SARS E2-spike
protein and H5 hemagglutinin is found here:
-
- gi|75061|pir||HMIVC2 ------------------------YAYKIVKKGDSAIMKSG---------
284
- gi|29836496|ref|NP_828851.1| PIGAGICASYHTVSLLRSTSQKSIVAYTMSLGADSSIAYSNNTIAIPTNF
700
-
**.: .**:* *.
-
- The alignment appears highly associated with TCR-alpha/beta
V-chain. As a result, it is likely that H5N1 will provoke disease very
like SARS. The finding suggests that the pro-inflammatory response associated
with H5N1 infection is very like SARS pro-inflammatory response. The data
appear to indicate that as an individual has a highly active immune system
response to H5N1 that the individual will be more seriously affected and
more likely to suffer irreparable damage. Conversely, the data appear
to suggest that as an individual has a less-profound immune-system reaction
to H5N1 that less tissue damage will be done. H5N1 appears to most severely
affect those individuals who have a strong, competent immune system and
to less severely affect those who are very young or very old (and, as a
result, have a less strong immune system).
-
- The earliest symptom of SARS is a sudden onset of high
fever with or without muscle aches. Some patients may also have chills,
headaches, shivering spells and cough. After 3 to 7 days, patients may
start to cough and experience shortness of breadth, and X-ray changes of
pneumonia, usually after a further 3 to 4 days.
-
- The symptoms of the H5N1 avian influenza virus in humans
are typical of any flu. Some people have a fever with a cough, a sore throat
and the muscle aches associated with a bout of the flu. Eye infections
and pneumonia are also common complications. In the most severe cases there
may be extremely high fevers, acute respiratory distress - difficulty breathing
- and other life threatening complications.
-
- Treatments that have been used effectively in SARS may
possibly be effective in treating H5N1 avian influenza. Luteolin and
melatonin may possibly be helpful in reducing pro-inflammatory reactions
in both SARS and H5N1 avian influenza. Nothing said here is to be assumed
to be the definitive final word about either SARS or H5N1 avian influenza
and any treatments for either disorder should be discussed with and agreed
upon with your doctor.
-
- Robert E. Lee, M.S., M.S.W., L.C.S.W.
- Professor of Psychology and Statistics
- Black Hawk College East Campus
- Kewanee, Illinois 61443
- Work Email: leeb@bhc.edu
- Home Email: rboblee@mchsi.com
- Online Instruction Email: postmaster@rboblee.com
- Another Email: wolfpsy@hotmail.com
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