We would like to thank Patrick C. Wilson for monoclonal antibody CR9114. We also thank Jennifer Debeauchamp and Richard Webby for the original A/Anhui/1/13 plasmids. Partial support for this work was provided by the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases-funded Program Project Grant AI097092-01A1 and CEIRS (Centers of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance, HHSN26620070010C). FK was supported by an Erwin Schr&ouml;dinger fellowship (J 3232) from the Austrian Science Fund (FWF).

1. Generation of Recombinant Baculovirus
<ol>
	<li>Cloning into baculovirus transfer-plasmids
	<ol>
		<li>Clone H7 HA and N9 NA ectodomain (or any other HA or NA gene) into modified pFastBac transfer plasmids (see introduction). Vectors for HA containing a C-terminal trimerization domain and a hexahistidine tag, as well as for NA containing an N-terminal tetramerization domain and hexahistidine tag, have been described1,10,11,22 (Figure 1) and can be requested from the authors. 
		<stro...

<ol>
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Y., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+B+cell+response+and+hemagglutinin+stalk-reactive+antibody+production+in+different+age+cohorts+following+2009+H1N1+influenza+vaccination.">The B cell response and hemagglutinin stalk-reactive antibody production in different age cohorts following 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccination.</a> Clin. Vaccine Immunol. , (2013).</li><li>Tan, G. S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+pan-h1+anti-hemagglutinin+monoclonal+antibody+with+potent+broad-spectrum+efficacy+in+vivo.">A pan-h1 anti-hemagglutinin monoclonal antibody with potent broad-spectrum efficacy in vivo.</a> J. Virol. 86, 6179-6188 (2012).</li><li>Ekiert, D. C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Antibody+recognition+of+a+highly+conserved+influenza+virus+epitope.">Antibody recognition of a highly conserved influenza virus epitope.</a> Science. 324, 246-251 (2009).</li><li>Xu, X., Zhu, X., Dwek, R. A., Stevens, J., Wilson, I. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Structural+characterization+of+the+1918+influenza+virus+H1N1+neuraminidase.">Structural characterization of the 1918 influenza virus H1N1 neuraminidase.</a> J. Virol. 82, 10493-10501 (2008).</li><li>Stevens, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Structure+of+the+uncleaved+human+H1+hemagglutinin+from+the+extinct+1918+influenza+virus.">Structure of the uncleaved human H1 hemagglutinin from the extinct 1918 influenza virus.</a> Science. 303, 1866-1870 (2004).</li><li>Wei, C. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Comparative+efficacy+of+neutralizing+antibodies+elicited+by+recombinant+hemagglutinin+proteins+from+avian+H5N1+influenza+virus.">Comparative efficacy of neutralizing antibodies elicited by recombinant hemagglutinin proteins from avian H5N1 influenza virus.</a> J. Virol. 82, 6200-6208 (2008).</li><li>Krammer, F., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Trichoplusia+ni+cells+(High+Five)+are+highly+efficient+for+the+production+of+influenza+A+virus-like+particles:+a+comparison+of+two+insect+cell+lines+as+production+platforms+for+influenza+vaccines.">Trichoplusia ni cells (High Five) are highly efficient for the production of influenza A virus-like particles: a comparison of two insect cell lines as production platforms for influenza vaccines.</a> Mol. Biotechnol. 45, 226-234 (2010).</li><li>Palmberger, D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Insect+cells+for+antibody+production:+evaluation+of+an+efficient+alternative.">Insect cells for antibody production: evaluation of an efficient alternative.</a> J. Biotechnol. 153, 160-166 (2011).</li><li>Santiago, F. W., Lambert Emo, K., Fitzgerald, T., Treanor, J. J., Topham, D. 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Med. 208, 181-193 (2011).</li><li>Treanor, J. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Protective+efficacy+of+a+trivalent+recombinant+hemagglutinin+protein+vaccine+(FluBlok)+against+influenza+in+healthy+adults:+a+randomized,+placebo-controlled+trial.">Protective efficacy of a trivalent recombinant hemagglutinin protein vaccine (FluBlok) against influenza in healthy adults: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.</a> Vaccine. 29, 7733-7739 (2011).</li><li>Dalakouras, T., Smith, B., Platis, D., Cox, M., Labrou, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Development+of+recombinant+protein-based+influenza+vaccine.+Expression+and+affinity+purification+of+H1N1+influenza+virus+neuraminidase.">Development of recombinant protein-based influenza vaccine. Expression and affinity purification of H1N1 influenza virus neuraminidase.</a> J. Chromatogr. A. 1136, 48-56 (2006).</li><li>Krammer, F., Grabherr, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Alternative+influenza+vaccines+made+by+insect+cells.">Alternative influenza vaccines made by insect cells.</a> Trends Mol. Med. 16, 313-320 (2010).</li><li>Gao, R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Human+Infection+with+a+Novel+Avian-Origin+Influenza+A+(H7N9)+Virus.">Human Infection with a Novel Avian-Origin Influenza A (H7N9) Virus.</a> N. Engl. J. Med. , (2013).</li><li>Goff, P. H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Induction+of+cross-reactive+antibodies+to+novel+H7N9+influenza+virus+by+recombinant+Newcastle+disease+virus+expressing+a+North+American+lineage+H7+subtype+hemagglutinin.">Induction of cross-reactive antibodies to novel H7N9 influenza virus by recombinant Newcastle disease virus expressing a North American lineage H7 subtype hemagglutinin.</a> J. Virol. , (2013).</li><li>Weldon, W. C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Enhanced+immunogenicity+of+stabilized+trimeric+soluble+influenza+hemagglutinin.">Enhanced immunogenicity of stabilized trimeric soluble influenza hemagglutinin.</a> PLoS One. 5, (2010).</li><li>Dreyfus, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Highly+conserved+protective+epitopes+on+influenza+B+viruses.">Highly conserved protective epitopes on influenza B viruses.</a> Science. 337, 1343-1348 (2012).</li><li>Steel, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Live+attenuated+influenza+viruses+containing+NS1+truncations+as+vaccine+candidates+against+H5N1+highly+pathogenic+avian+influenza.">Live attenuated influenza viruses containing NS1 truncations as vaccine candidates against H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza.</a> J. 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Although expression of influenza virus HA and NA proteins in insect cells using the baculovirus expression system is generally straight forward, there are several important points to consider. It is important, as pointed out in the introduction, that the ectodomains of HA and NA are expressed in fusion with trimerization or tetramerization domains, respectively. These domains ensure correct folding of the molecules usually assisted by the transmembrane domain, which is not present if only the ectodomain is expressed. For...

As a first response to the recent emergence of the novel H7N9 influenza virus strain in China, we acquired plasmids carrying the genomic sequences for the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes of the first two isolates. Using these plasmids we were able to quickly construct baculoviral expression vectors for production of recombinant HA and NA in insect cells. This expression system is well established in our laboratory and has proven pivotal to many of our ongoing research projects1-8. Insect cells are able to correctly fold and post-translationally modify complex proteins. These modifications include N-linked glycosylation, which is important for many viral glycoproteins. As such, it is not surprising that the baculovirus system is quite established for expressing influenza virus surface antigens. In fact, many of the HA and NA crystal structures have been solved using insect cell expressed proteins9-11. Another advantage of the system lies in its reliable high protein yields of up to 30 mg of HA/L cell culture (based on our experience with more than 50 different HA proteins) - a consequence of virus-infection driven expression from the strong polyhedrin promoter.
Removal of the transmembrane and endodomain of the HA and NA proteins allows for expression of secretable, soluble versions of the proteins and thus greatly facilitates the purification process. In addition, these ectodomains are hexahistidine tagged and can therefore be purified using affinity chromatography using Ni2+-resin. The transmembrane domains of HA and NA proteins contribute to homotrimer and homotetramer formation, respectively. In order to preserve these oligomerizations, we add a C-terminal trimerization domain to the HA-, and a N-terminal tetramerization domain to the NA constructs (Figure 1). We have shown conclusively that such a trimerization domain stabilizes functional, conserved conformational epitopes on the stalk-domain of HA1. The correct tetramerization of the NA might also contribute to correct folding and NA function10. Sequences and baculo-transfer vectors harboring trimerization or tetramerization domains can be requested from the authors or from other laboratories in the field ,9,10,12.
Another important issue for expression of secreted proteins in insect cells is the choice of the right cell line. While Spodoptera frugiperda derived Sf9 cells support baculovirus replication very well and are generally used for virus rescue and propagation, they have limited capacity to secrete large amounts of protein. Trichoplusia ni derived BTI-TN-5B1-4 cells (commonly known as High Five) have a higher secretion capacity and are the cell line of choice for expression in this protocol13,14. Furthermore, it is helpful to reduce or even remove fetal bovine serum (FBS) from expression cultures. We therefore use media with reduced (3%) FBS content for growing the virus working stocks, and we perform the protein expression in serum free media.
Recombinant HA and NA proteins are used for many immunological techniques. Perhaps the most common one is in ELISA assays for measuring serum conversion upon vaccination in humans or animals4,6,7,15. HAs and NAs are also used in ELISPOT assays as both stimulatory molecules and detection reagents for antibody secreting cells16. Their use as molecular baits allows to specifically sort for plasmablasts or other types of B-cells that can then be used to isolate (therapeutic) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Recombinant HA and NA molecules are further used in the characterization of these mAbs8. Other examples include study the pH stability or receptor specificity of HAs expressed by different virus isolates, or quantitatively assessing specific NA enzymatic activity or resistance to inhibitors. Furthermore, recombinant, purified HA can be used to standardize HA content of inactivated influenza virus vaccines.
Importantly, rHA (and to a certain degree NA) vaccine candidates are currently being tested in animal models and human clinical trials with one vaccine candidate being licensed by the FDA in 20132,17-19. The advantage of these novel vaccines is that, due to the recombinant nature of these proteins, the labor-intensive process of generating of high growth reassortant viruses could be avoided. Perhaps even more relevant is the fact that their HA yield is high and reproducible from strain to strain. Also, since these vaccines are produced in an egg-free system, they do not contain protein contaminants that are problematic for individuals with egg allergies.
Here we chose to express the HA and NA proteins from two isolates of the novel Chinese H7N9 influenza virus, A/Anhui/1/13 and A/Shanghai/1/1320,21. These are timely examples, but the described protocol can be used for expression of any influenza A and B HA or NA proteins and can be adapted to express any other secreted viral or cellular proteins. Trimeric or tetrameric transmembrane proteins can be cloned into the expression cassettes used for HA and NA, respectively. However, most soluble secreted cellular proteins, like interferons for example, do not need an additional domain for stabilization and can be expressed solely with a C-terminal hexahistidine tag.

<table border="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Name of Material/ Equipment</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments/Description</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bac-to-Bac Baculovirus expression system</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>10359-016</td>
			<td>Follow manufacturer&#39;s instructions</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TNM-FH insect medium</td>
			<td>Gemini Bioproducts</td>
			<td>600-311</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HyClone SFX-Insect</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher</td>
			<td>SH30278.02</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cellfectin II Reagent</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>P/N58760</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pluronic F68</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>1000702664</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SimplyBlue SafeStain</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>LC6060</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ni-NTA Agarose</td>
			<td>Qiagen</td>
			<td>1018240</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Amicon Ultra Centrigual filters Ultracel 30K</td>
			<td>Millipore</td>
			<td>UFC902024</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pen Strep</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>15140-122</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Polypropylene Columns (5 ml)</td>
			<td>Qiagen</td>
			<td>34964</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Max efficiency DH10Bac bacteria</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>10361-012</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PureLink HiPure Plasmid Filter Midiprep Kit</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>K210015</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Imidazole</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>I2399-100G</td>
			<td>for elution and wash buffers</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sf9 cells</td>
			<td>ATCC</td>
			<td><a href="http://www.atcc.org/Products/All/CRL-1711.aspx" target="_blank">CRL-1711</a></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>High Five cells</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>B85502</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

expression of functional recombinant hemagglutinin and neuraminidase proteins from the novel h7n9 influenza virus using the baculovirus expression system

The baculovirus expression system is a powerful tool for expression of recombinant proteins. Here we use it to produce correctly folded and glycosylated versions of the influenza A virus surface glycoproteins - the hemagglutinin (HA) and the neuraminidase (NA). As an example, we chose the HA and NA proteins expressed by the novel H7N9 virus that recently emerged in China. However the protocol can be easily adapted for HA and NA proteins expressed by any other influenza A and B virus strains. Recombinant HA (rHA) and NA (rNA) proteins are important reagents for immunological assays such as ELISPOT and ELISA, and are also in wide use for vaccine standardization, antibody discovery, isolation and characterization. Furthermore, recombinant NA molecules can be used to screen for small molecule inhibitors and are useful for characterization of the enzymatic function of the NA, as well as its sensitivity to antivirals. Recombinant HA proteins are also being tested as experimental vaccines in animal models, and a vaccine based on recombinant HA was recently licensed by the FDA for use in humans. The method we describe here to produce these molecules is straight forward and can facilitate research in influenza laboratories, since it allows for production of large amounts of proteins fast and at a low cost. Although here we focus on influenza virus surface glycoproteins, this method can also be used to produce other viral and cellular surface proteins.

HA molecules from A/Shanghai/1/13 and A/Anhui/1/13 expressed well with yields of about 20 mg/L culture. NA molecules of both strains showed moderate expression levels ranging from 0.2 mg/L culture for A/Shanghai/1/13 to 0.7 mg/L for A/Anhui/1/13. All four protein preparations had very little to no impurities (Figures 8A and&#160;B) with HAs being of higher purity than NAs which can be explained by the expression level. A/Shanghai/1/13 HA was further analyzed using ELISA with the broadly ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Expression of Functional Recombinant Hemagglutinin and Neuraminidase Proteins from the Novel H7N9 Influenza Virus Using the Baculovirus Expression System at J

Expression of Functional Recombinant Hemagglutinin and Neuraminidase Proteins from the Novel H7N9 Influenza Virus Using the Baculovirus Expression System

Here we describe a way to express correctly folded and functional influenza virus surface antigens derived from the novel Chinese H7N9 virus in insect cells. The technique can be adapted to express ectodomains of any viral or cellular surface proteins.

The baculovirus expression system is a powerful tool for expression of  recombinant proteins. Here we use it to produce correctly folded and  glycosylated ...

expression-functional-recombinant-hemagglutinin-neuraminidase

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Immunology and Infection

23.7K Views.  Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Here we describe a way to express correctly folded and functional influenza virus surface antigens derived from the novel Chinese H7N9 virus in insect cells. The technique can be adapted to express ectodomains of any viral or cellular surface proteins.

Video: Expression of Functional Recombinant Hemagglutinin and Neuraminidase Proteins from the Novel H7N9 Influenza Virus Using the Baculovirus Expression System