title: Avian and human influenza A virus receptors in trachea and lung of animals.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Influenza A viruses are capable of crossing the specific barrier between human beings and animals resulting in interspecies transmission. The important factor of potential infectivity of influenza A viruses is the suitability of the receptor binding site of the host and viruses. The affinities of avian and human influenza virus to bind with the receptors and the distributions of receptors in animals are different.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to investigate the anatomical distribution of avian and human influenza virus receptors using the double staining lectin histochemistry method.
  
  
  METHODS
  Double staining of lectin histochemistry was performed to identify both SA alpha2,3 Gal and SA alpha2,6 Gal receptors in trachea and lung tissue of dogs, cats, tigers, ferret, pigs, ducks and chickens.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We have demonstrated that avian and human influenza virus receptors were abundantly present in trachea, bronchus and bronchiole, but in alveoli of dogs, cats and tigers showed SA alpha2,6 Gal only. Furthermore, endothelial cells in lung tissues showed presence of SA alpha2,3 Gal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The positive sites of both receptors in respiratory tract, especially in the trachea, suggest that all mammalian species studied can be infected with avian influenza virus. These findings suggested that dogs and cats in close contact with humans should be of greater concern as an intermediate host for avian influenza A in which there is the potential for viral adaptation and reassortment.
authors.affiliation: Center for Agricultural Biotechnology, Kasetsart University, Thailand.
authors.forename: Sukanya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thongratsakul
authors.forename: Yasuo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Hiroaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hiramatsu
authors.forename: Thavajchai
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sakpuaram
authors.forename: Theerapol
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sirinarumitr
authors.forename: Chaithep
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Poolkhet
authors.forename: Pattra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moonjit
authors.forename: Rungrueang
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yodsheewan
authors.forename: Thaweesak
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Songserm
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D001717:Birds; D002415:Cats; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control; D004285:Dogs; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000276:immunology*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology; D012794:Sialic Acids / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013045:Species Specificity; D014132:Trachea / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology; D014774:Virulence
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral; D012794:Sialic Acids