Infection with human H1N1 influenza virus affects the expression of sialic acids of metaplastic mucous cells in the ferret airways

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. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]