Blood Group A Enhances SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

ABSTRACT: Among risk factors for SARS-CoV-2, ABO(H) blood group antigens have been one of the most recognized predictors of infection. However, the mechanisms whereby ABO(H) antigens influence susceptibility to COVID-19 remain incompletely understood. The receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2, which facilitates host cell engagement, bears significant similarity to galectins, an ancient family of carbohydrate binding proteins. As ABO(H) blood group antigens are carbohydrates, we compared the glycan binding specificity of the SARS-COV-2 RBD with galectins. Similar to the binding profile of several galectins, the RBDs of SARS-CoV-2, including Delta and Omicron variants, exhibited specificity for blood group A. Not only did each RBD recognize blood group A in a glycan array format, but each SARS-C

SUBMITTER: Wu SC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10294591 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature