Distribution of aminopeptidase N coronavirus receptors in the respiratory and digestive tracts of domestic and wild artiodactyls and carnivores.

ABSTRACT: Aminopeptidase N (APN) is a transmembrane protein that mediates the attachment of the spike protein of several clinically important coronaviruses (CoVs) responsible for respiratory and intestinal diseases in animals and humans. To assess the potential for APN-mediated viral tropism, we characterized APN receptor distribution in the respiratory and intestinal tissues of various artiodactyls (cervids, bovids, camelids and suids) and carnivores (canids, felids, mustelids and phocids) using immunohistochemistry. In the lungs, APN expression was limited to artiodactyls, with strong expression in the bronchiolar epithelium and weaker expression in pneumocytes. Nasal turbinate and tracheal samples, where available, showed stronger APN expression in artiodactyls over carnivores. APN was consistent

SUBMITTER: Lean FZX 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11971486 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature