The role of receptor binding specificity in interspecies transmission of influenza viruses

Influenza A virus infection begins with the binding of the hemagglutinin (HA) glycoprotein to sialic acid-containing receptors on the surface of the target cell. Avian influenza viruses, including avian H5N1, H7, and H9N2 viruses, can occasionally cross the species barrier and infect humans; however, these viruses do not spread efficiently from person to person, perhaps, partly, owing to differences in the receptor-binding specificities of human and avian influenza viruses. The HAs of avian influenza viruses must adapt to receptors in humans to acquire efficient human-to-human transmissibility. In this review, we discuss the receptor binding specificity of influenza A viruses and its role in interspecies transmission.

► The hemagglutinin (HA) of influenza viruses mediates receptor binding.
► Receptor binding specificity is a major determinant of host range restriction.
► Avian influenza viruses do not transmit efficiently from human to human.
► Changes in binding specificity are required for cross-species transfer.