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bioRxiv - The avian and human influenza A virus receptors sialic acid (SA)-α2,3 and SA-α2,6 are widely expressed in the bovine mammary gland

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  • bioRxiv - The avian and human influenza A virus receptors sialic acid (SA)-α2,3 and SA-α2,6 are widely expressed in the bovine mammary gland

    An outbreak of H5N1 highly pathogenic influenza A virus (HPIAV) has been detected in dairy cows in the United States. Influenza A virus (IAV) is a negative-sense, single-stranded, RNA virus that has not previously been associated with widespread infection in cattle. As such, cattle are an extremely under-studied domestic IAV host species. IAV receptors on host cells are sialic acids (SAs) that are bound to galactose in either an α2,3 or α2,6 linkage. Human IAVs preferentially bind SA-α2,6 (human receptor), whereas avian IAVs have a preference for α2,3 (avian receptor). The avian receptor can further be divided into two receptors: IAVs isolated from chickens generally bind more tightly to SA-α2,3-Gal-β1,4 (chicken receptor), whereas IAVs isolated from duck to SA-α2,3-Gal-β1,3 (duck receptor). We found all receptors were expressed, to a different degree, in the mammary gland, respiratory tract, and cerebrum of beef and/or dairy cattle. The duck and human IAV receptors were widely expressed in the bovine mammary gland, whereas the chicken receptor dominated the respiratory tract. In general, only a low expression of IAV receptors was observed in the neurons of the cerebrum. These results provide a mechanistic rationale for the high levels of H5N1 virus reported in infected bovine milk and show cattle have the potential to act as a mixing vessel for novel IAV generation. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.


    Cows have a2,6 sialic acids as well as a2,3 sialic acids in their udders. This is ver relevant as this is why the pig is seen as a mixing vessel (bc of having both of them in the airways). But for adapting to a2,6 coexpression is important not where it is. Although for transmission the udder is less efficient than exhaled air.

  • #2
    From the above Abstract:

    These results provide a mechanistic rationale for the high levels of H5N1 virus reported in infected bovine milk and show cattle have the potential to act as a mixing vessel for novel IAV generation.

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