High expression levels of influenza virus receptors in airway of the HBV-transgenic mice

[tetano]

Epidemiol Infect. 2019 Nov 4;147:e297. doi: 10.1017/S0950268819001833. High expression levels of influenza virus receptors in airway of the HBV-transgenic mice.

Yang J¹, Li H², Jia L¹, Lan X¹, Zhao Y^1,3, Bian H², Li Z¹.
Author information

1 Laboratory for Functional Glycomics, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China. 2 Cell Engineering Research Centre and Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China. 3 College of Medicine, Xi'an International University, Xi'an 710077, China.

Abstract

In the human population, influenza A viruses are associated with acute respiratory illness and are responsible for millions of deaths annually. Avian and human influenza viruses typically have a different α2-3- and α2-6-linked sialic acid (SA) binding preference. Only a few amino acid changes in the haemagglutinin on the surface of avian influenza viruses (AIV) can cause a switch from avian to human receptor specificity, and the individuals with pathognostic chronic diseases might be more susceptible to AIV due to the decreased expression level of terminal α2-3-linked SA in their saliva. Here, using lectin and virus histochemical staining, we observed the higher expression levels of α2-3/6-linked SA influenza virus receptors in the airway of HBV-transgenic mice compared with that of control mice due to the significant decrease in control mice during ageing, which imply that this is also a risk factor for individuals with pathognostic chronic diseases susceptible to influenza viruses. Our findings will help understand the impact on influenza virus pathogenesis and transmission.


KEYWORDS:

airway; influenza A virus; liver disease; receptors; α2-3/6-linked sialic acids

PMID: 31679542 DOI: 10.1017/S0950268819001833