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Review
. 2008 Sep;2(5):147-54.
doi: 10.1111/j.1750-2659.2008.00051.x.

Sialic acid tissue distribution and influenza virus tropism

Urban Kumlin  1 , Sigvard Olofsson, Ken Dimock, Niklas Arnberg
Affiliations
Review

Sialic acid tissue distribution and influenza virus tropism

Urban Kumlin et al. Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2008 Sep.

Abstract

Avian influenza A viruses exhibit a strong preference for using alpha2,3-linked sialic acid as a receptor. Until recently, the presumed lack of this receptor in human airways was believed to constitute an efficient barrier to avian influenza A virus infection of humans. Recent zoonotic outbreaks of avian influenza A virus have triggered researchers to analyse tissue distribution of sialic acid in further detail. Here, we review and extend the current knowledge about sialic acid distribution in human tissues, and discuss viruses with ocular tropism and their preference for alpha2,3-linked sialic acid.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Sialic acid structure and glycosidic bonds to neighbouring saccharides. 1 corresponds to the site of N‐linked acylation (glycolyl or acetyl), and 2 corresponds to the site of α2,3‐, α2,6‐ and α2,8‐glycosidic bonds between sialic acid and galactose or a neighbouring sialic acid sacharride.
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