Decoding the distribution of glycan receptors for human-adapted influenza A viruses in ferret respiratory tract.

ABSTRACT: Ferrets are widely used as animal models for studying influenza A viral pathogenesis and transmissibility. Human-adapted influenza A viruses primarily target the upper respiratory tract in humans (infection of the lower respiratory tract is observed less frequently), while in ferrets, upon intranasal inoculation both upper and lower respiratory tract are targeted. Viral tropism is governed by distribution of complex sialylated glycan receptors in various cells/tissues of the host that are specifically recognized by influenza A virus hemagglutinin (HA), a glycoprotein on viral surface. It is generally known that upper respiratory tract of humans and ferrets predominantly express α2→6 sialylated glycan receptors. However much less is known about the fine structure of these glycan receptors a

SUBMITTER: Jayaraman A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3281014 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature