The distribution of sialic acid receptors of avian influenza virus in the reproductive tract of laying hens.
The susceptibility of the host to influenza virus is determined by the distribution of the sialic acid (SA) receptors on host cell membrane. Avian influenza virus (AIV) preferentially binds to SA α-2,3-galactose (SA α2,3-gal) linked receptors, while human strains bind to sialic acid α2,6-galactose (SA α2,6-gal) linked receptors. Here, we describe the SA patterns and distributions in the reproductive tract of hens by employing two specific lectins, Maackia amurensis agglutinin (MAA) for SA α2,3-gal and sambucus nigra agglutinin (SNA) for SA α 2,6-gal receptors. Our results revealed that both SA α2,3-gal and SA α2,6-gal receptors exist in the reproductive tract of hens, including magnum, isthmus, uterus and vagina except for infundibulum. The distribution of SAα-2,3-gal receptor was more abundantly in the columnar epithelium cells of magnum, isthmus and uterus. Only minimal positive results for SA α-2,6-gal receptors were detected in the columnar epithelium cells of magnum, isthmus, uterus and vagina. Furthermore, AIV in tissues of the reproductive tract tissues of laying hens were detected by SYBR green-based reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results showed that both viral loads and pathological changes in different parts of the reproductive tract were positively correlated with the expression of both receptors. Our results revealed that the reproductive tract of hens may provide an environment for the replication of both avian and human influenza viruses.
College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China. Electronic address: wjingyu2004@126.com.
Jing-Yu
JY
Wang
College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China.
Zhan-Li
ZL
Chen
College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China.
Cheng-Shan
CS
Li
College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China.
Xiao-lei
XL
Cao
College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China.
Rui
R
Wang
College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China.
Chao
C
Tang
College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China.
Jing-Jing
JJ
Huang
Deparment of Veterinary Medicine, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 912, Taiwan.
Ching-Dong
CD
Chang
Institute of Molecular Biology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan; Agricultural Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan; Rong Hsing Research Center for Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan. Electronic address: hjliu5257@nchu.edu.tw.
Hung-Jen
HJ
Liu
D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000378:metabolism*; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000378:metabolism*; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000378:metabolism; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism*; D011991:Receptors, Virus / Q000032:analysis*; D012098:Reproduction; D027924:Sambucus nigra / Q000378:metabolism; D019562:Viral Load
D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D011991:Receptors, Virus; C100156:leukoagglutinins, plants; C092488:sialic acid receptor
Laying hens; Lectin histochemistry affinity staining; Oviduct; SA α-2,6-gal; SAα-2,3-gal; SYBR green-based real-time RT-PCR; The reproductive tract