Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
3429681 Virus Research 2009 8 Pages PDF
Abstract

Glycans terminating in sialic acids serve as receptors for influenza viruses. In this study ferrets were infected with influenza virus A/New Caledonia/20/99, and the in situ localization of sialic acids linked α2-3 and α2-6 in the airways was investigated in infected and non-infected animals by use of sialic acid detecting lectins and a monoclonal antibody towards the Sialyl-Tn antigen. The goblet cells in the bronchi from non-infected ferrets expressed Sialylα2-6Gal glycans, while the seromucinous glands in the submucosa expressed Sialylα2-3Gal glycans. In the infected animals, the surface epithelial cells in some bronchi showed metaplasia and expressed the Sialyl-Tn antigen: Sialylα2-6GalNAc-O-Thr/Ser. The submucosal tracheal glands in these animals showed increased expression of both Sialylα2-3 and Sialylα2-6 epitopes.

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