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Avian flu

Influenza virus receptors in the human airway

Avian and human flu viruses seem to target different regions of a patient's respiratory tract.

Abstract

Although more than 100 people have been infected by H5N1 influenza A viruses, human-to-human transmission is rare1. What are the molecular barriers limiting human-to-human transmission? Here we demonstrate an anatomical difference in the distribution in the human airway of the different binding molecules preferred by the avian and human influenza viruses. The respective molecules are sialic acid linked to galactose by an α-2,3 linkage (SAα2,3Gal) and by an α-2,6 linkage (SAα2,6Gal)2. Our findings may provide a rational explanation for why H5N1 viruses at present rarely infect and spread between humans although they can replicate efficiently in the lungs.

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Figure 1: Reactivity of human respiratory tissues with lectins specific for different sialic acid linkages.
Figure 2: Infection of human respiratory tissue by influenza A viruses.

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Correspondence to Yoshihiro Kawaoka.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Shinya, K., Ebina, M., Yamada, S. et al. Influenza virus receptors in the human airway. Nature 440, 435–436 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/440435a

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