Avian-origin influenza A viruses tolerate elevated pyrexic temperatures in mammals
- Author(s)
- Turnbull, ML; Wang, Y; Clare, S; Lieber, G; Williams, SL; Noerenberg, M; Alexander, AJT; Clohisey Hendry, S; Stewart, DG; Hughes, J; Swingler, S; Lytras, S; Davies, EL; Harcourt, K; Smollett, K; Pinto, RM; Lee, HM; Gaunt, ER; Loney, C; Jung, JS; Lyons, PA; Kapczynski, DR; Hutchinson, E; da Silva Filipe, A; Taubenberger, JK; Rihn, SJ; Baillie, JK; Fodor, E; Castello, A; Smith, KGC; Digard, P; Wilson, SJ;
- Details
- Publication Year 2025-11-27,Volume 390,Issue #6776,Page eadq4691
- Abstract
- Host body temperature can define a virus's replicative profile-influenza A viruses (IAVs) adapted to 40° to 42°C in birds are less temperature sensitive in vitro compared with human isolates adapted to 33° to 37°C. In this work, we show that avian-origin PB1 polymerase subunits enable IAV replication at elevated temperatures, including avian-origin PB1s from the 1918, 1957, and 1968 pandemic viruses. Using a model system to ensure biosafety, we show that a small increase in body temperature protects against severe disease in mice and that this protection is overcome by a febrile temperature-resistant PB1. These findings indicate that although elevated temperature itself can be a potent antiviral defense, it may not be effective against all influenza strains. These data inform both the clinical use of antipyretics and IAV surveillance efforts.
- Keywords
- Animals; Mice; Virus Replication; *Orthomyxoviridae Infections/virology/prevention & control; Humans; *Influenza A virus/physiology/genetics; *Viral Proteins/genetics/metabolism; *Fever/virology; Influenza, Human/virology; *Hot Temperature; Birds/virology; Influenza in Birds/virology; Body Temperature; Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells
- Publisher's Version
- https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adq4691
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- Refer to copyright notice on published article.
Creation Date: 2025-12-02 09:39:25
Last Modified: 2025-12-02 09:40:42