Lectin Staining to Detect Human and Avian Influenza Virus Receptors in the Airway of Nonhuman Primates

Nakayama M, Itoh Y. Lectin Staining to Detect Human and Avian Influenza Virus Receptors in the Airway of Nonhuman Primates. Methods Mol Biol. 2022;2556:37-43
submited by kickingbird at Oct, 1, 2022 18:48 PM from Methods Mol Biol. 2022;2556:37-43

Hemagglutinin (HA) on the surface of influenza viruses binds to sialic acids, mainly N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) or N-glycolylneuraminic acid. Neu5Ac and N-glycolylneuraminic acid lie at the terminal end of sugar chains on the cell surface. Human influenza viruses preferentially bind to sialic acids bound to galactose by the alpha2-6 linkage (Neu5Acα2-6Gal), abundant in the human airway. In contrast, avian influenza viruses preferentially bind to Neu5Acα2-3Gal, abundant in the intestine of ducks. Sambucus nigra lectin (SNA) and Maackia amurensis lectin (MAA) bind to Neu5Acα2-6Gal and Neu5Acα2-3Gal, respectively. These two lectins have therefore been applied to detect sialic acids on the airway epithelium of animals.