Soon after the new influenza H1N1 strain emerged in April 2009, I began a series of blog posts on basic aspects of influenza virus replication and pathogenesis. The goal of this series is to provide information that will allow everyone to better understand the events surrounding emergence and spread of the new pandemic strain.
Unfortunately blog posts tend to become invisible after a certain period of time, which does not befit educational material. Therefore I have made a list of these articles, with links, to make it easier for everyone to take Influenza 101.
Class is still in session.
Structure
The A, B, and C of influenza virus
The neuraminidase of influenza virus
Influenza virus RNA: Translation into protein
Entry into Cells
Influenza virus attachment to cells
Influenza virus attachment to cells: role of different sialic acids
Cutting through mucus with the influenza virus neuraminidase
Release of influenza viral RNA into cells
Influenza HA cleavage is required for infectivity
RNA Synthesis
The error-prone ways of RNA synthesis
Viral quasispecies and bottlenecks
Assembly
Packaging of the segmented influenza RNA genome
Reassortment of the influenza virus genome
Influenza virus reassortment, then and now
The neuraminidase of influenza virus
Pathogenesis
David and Goliath: How one cytokine may take down influenza
Gut microbes influenza defense against influenza
The D225G change in 2009 H1N1 influenza virus
It’s not easy to make the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus a killer
Viruses and the respiratory tract
How many people die from influenza?
Seasonality of influenza
Innate immune defenses
The inflammatory response
Adaptive immune defenses: Antibodies
Virus neutralization by antibodies
Prevention and Control
How good is the influenza vaccine?
Pandemic influenza vaccine was too late in 2009
Secondary changes allow spread of oseltamivir resistant influenza virus
Headless HA: Universal influenza vaccine?
Protection against 2009 influenza H1N1 by immunization with 1918-like and classical swine viruses
Reinfection with 2009 influenza H1N1
Influenza neuraminidase inhibitors work
Tamiflu-resistant pandemic influenza H1N1 virus selected by prophylaxis
Propagation and Measurement
Influenza virus growth in eggs
Influenza hemagglutination inhibition assay
Influenza microneutralization assay
Detecting viruses: the plaque assay