New Delhi: Monsoons mean the rise in viral infections, influenza viruses, and vector-borne diseases, but do you know how they enter the human body? A recent study has revealed that most influenza viruses enter human or animal cells through particular pathways on their surfaces.
According to researchers at the University of Zurich, certain human and avian influenza viruses may infect cells through a second entrance process which is an immune system protein complex. This is the process which can help the viruses infect different species and potentially jump between animals and humans. However, most of the type A influenza viruses detected in birds and pigs do not pose a health threat to humans but viruses might represent a problem if there is an outbreak. Like, one that is currently occurring in the United States or during seasonal epidemics, noted the study.
Animal-to-human transmission is rare
Further, the study highlighted that in only rare situations, a virus can spread from animals to humans. Host cells are the entry point through which most influenza viruses enter the body by using their envelope proteins that stand up from the surface like spikes. The so-called hemagglutinin binds to sialic acid, a group of chemicals present on the surface of human cells and the cells of various animal species.
An international research team led by Professor Silke Stertz from the Institute of Medical Virology at the University of Zurich identified that flu viruses also have a second method to infect the host cells.
How do H2N2 viruses enter the body?
According to Stertz, human influenza A viruses of subtype H2N2 and linked H2N2 avian influenza viruses can enter into the cells via a second receptor. They use the other entry pathway. The risk of avian, swine and other animal viruses increases the risk of flu pandemic in humans. The researchers found that hemagglutinin also binds to MHC class II protein complexes. These are found on the surface of certain immune and respiratory cells and are responsible for making out or differentiating between the body’s cells and foreign cells.
This dual ability to infect the cells was observed in lab-grown cell lines and human airway cultures.
According to researchers at the University of Zurich, certain human and avian influenza viruses may infect cells through a second entrance process which is an immune system protein complex. Health Conditions Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
