Hemagglutinin Traits Determine Transmission of Avian A/H10N7 Influenza Virus between Mammals.

ABSTRACT: In 2014, an outbreak of avian A/H10N7 influenza virus occurred among seals along North-European coastal waters, significantly impacting seal populations. Here, we examine the cross-species transmission and mammalian adaptation of this influenza A virus, revealing changes in the hemagglutinin surface protein that increase stability and receptor binding. The seal A/H10N7 virus was aerosol or respiratory droplet transmissible between ferrets. Compared with avian H10 hemagglutinin, seal H10 hemagglutinin showed stronger binding to the human-type sialic acid receptor, with preferential binding to α2,6-linked sialic acids on long extended branches. In X-ray structures, changes in the 220-loop of the receptor-binding pocket caused similar interactions with human receptor as seen for pandemic stra

SUBMITTER: Herfst S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7556738 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature