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Viral replication and dissemination rely on efficient mechanisms for host cell entry, genome replication, assembly, and release. Influenza viruses, such as types A and B, are negative-sense single-stranded RNA viruses with a segmented genome, that depend on two critical surface glycoproteins to carry out these processes: hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). HA initiates infection by binding to sialic acid residues on the surface of host epithelial cells, facilitating receptor-mediated...

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Imaging Cell Interaction in Tracheal Mucosa During Influenza Virus Infection Using Two-photon Intravital Microscopy

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Influenza A virus diffusion through mucus gel networks.

Logan Kaler¹, Ethan Iverson², Shahed Bader³

¹Biophysics Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.

Communications Biology

|March 23, 2022

Summary

The lung

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Purification and Visualization of Influenza A Viral Ribonucleoprotein Complexes

Purification and Visualization of Influenza A Viral Ribonucleoprotein Complexes

Published on: February 9, 2009

Area of Science:

Biophysics
Infectious Disease

Background:

Lung mucus acts as a barrier against viral pathogens like influenza A virus (IAV).
Mucin-associated sialic acid and neuraminidase (NA) are known to influence IAV binding and passage.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate how the physical structure of mucus gel impacts its barrier function against IAV.
To quantify the influence of mucus mesh structure on IAV diffusion and trapping.

Main Methods:

Quantified diffusion of IAV and nanoparticles in human airway mucus and mucin hydrogels.
Utilized fluorescence video microscopy.
Developed an analytical approach to estimate IAV-mucus binding affinity.

Main Results:

IAV mobility in mucus is significantly affected by the gel's mesh structure.
Mucus physical structure influences IAV passage more than hemagglutinin (HA) and NA activity.
Estimated weak IAV-mucus binding affinity (mM dissociation constants).

Conclusions:

The physical properties of mucus, particularly its mesh structure, are critical for limiting IAV dissemination.
Mucus acts as a physical barrier, trapping viruses through glycan-mediated interactions.
Understanding these properties offers insights into preventing viral lung infections.