Abstract
In the human population, influenza A viruses are associated with acute respiratory illness and are responsible for millions of deaths annually. Avian and human influenza viruses typically have a different α2-3- and α2-6-linked sialic acid (SA) binding preference. Only a few amino acid changes in the haemagglutinin on the surface of avian influenza viruses (AIV) can cause a switch from avian to human receptor specificity, and the individuals with pathognostic chronic diseases might be more susceptible to AIV due to the decreased expression level of terminal α2-3-linked SA in their saliva. Here, using lectin and virus histochemical staining, we observed the higher expression levels of α2-3/6-linked SA influenza virus receptors in the airway of HBV-transgenic mice compared with that of control mice due to the significant decrease in control mice during ageing, which imply that this is also a risk factor for individuals with pathognostic chronic diseases susceptible to influenza viruses. Our findings will help understand the impact on influenza virus pathogenesis and transmission.
Highlights
In the human population, influenza A viruses (IAV) are associated with acute respiratory illness and are responsible for millions of deaths annually
Our previous study indicated that elderly individuals had stronger resistance to IAV partly by presenting more terminal α2-3/6-linked sialic acid (SA) residues in their saliva to bind with viral HA and inhibit the activities of IAV [26]
In order to determine the expression levels of α2-3/6-linked SA receptors in the trachea of the HBV-transgenic mice model compared with control mice, the tissue sections of trachea from 10 to 18 month old mice were stained with Cy5-labelled Maackia amurensis lectin II (MAL-II) and Cy3-labelled sambucus nigra agglutinin (SNA), respectively
Summary
Influenza A viruses (IAV) are associated with acute respiratory illness and are responsible for millions of deaths annually. It is often noted that hospitalisations and deaths after an influenza infection mainly occur in the elderly population diagnosed with chronic diseases, such as diabetes and cancer [27,28,29,30]. This phenomenon is usually explained by the fact that chronic diseases reduce the ability of the immune system to fight infections. Our further study provided evidence that elderly individuals with chronic diseases, such as diabetes and liver disease, might be more susceptible to AIV due to the decreased expression of terminal α2-3-linked SA residues in their saliva [31]
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