Tropism and Infectivity of Pandemic Influenza A H1N1/09 Virus in the Human Placenta |
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Authors: | Yan-Na Xiao Fei-Yuan Yu Qian Xu Jiang Gu |
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Affiliation: | 1.Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China;2.Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China;3.Jinxin Research Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Chengdu 610066, China |
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Abstract: | Influenza virus infection in pregnant women may put the fetus at higher risk; however, to date, there has been no detailed research about the expression of influenza virus receptors in the human placenta. We employed the lectin staining technique, which is a classic influenza virus receptor research method for studying the distribution of viral receptors in the human placenta. In addition, we examined the susceptibility of the human placenta to H1N1/09, by detecting viral proteins and RNA at different time points post-infection. We found that the human placenta expressed both avian and human influenza A virus receptors (α-2, 3-linked sialic acid and α-2, 6-linked sialic acid). In addition, H1N1/09 did not only infect the human placenta, but also replicated and was released into the culture media. We concluded that the human placenta is susceptible to the 2009 influenza A virus (H1N1/09) infection, and that particular attention should be paid to shielding pregnant women from infection during influenza season. |
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Keywords: | influenza A virus pdmH1N1 human placenta |
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