Turkeys possess diverse Siaα2-3Gal glycans that facilitate their dual susceptibility to avian influenza viruses isolated from ducks and chickens

Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) circulating in wild ducks are rarely transmitted directly to chickens. Previous studies demonstrated that chickens possess fucosylated and/or sulfated alpha 2,3 sialosides on their tracheal epithelia, whereas intestinal epithelia of ducks express canonical alpha 2,3 sialosides. Turkeys, the third major poultry species in the world, are known to show broad susceptibility to various avian influenza viruses. To elucidate the molecular basis of the broad susceptibility of turkeys to duck and chicken AIVs, we characterized various receptors for AIVs on their tissues. The experimental infection of turkeys demonstrated their dual susceptibility to duck and chicken AIVs. Further, comprehensive histochemical analyses using lectins, anti-glycan antibodies, and recombinant hemagglutinins, combined with glycosidase digestions, identified the presence of fucosylated and/or sulfated in addition to canonical alpha 2,3 sialosides on their respiratory epithelia. The receptor distributions in turkeys were consistent with their dual susceptibility to duck and chicken AIVs. Also, our findings suggested the potential roles of turkeys in interspecies transmission of AIVs from ducks to chickens.

Automated summary

The research found that turkeys have fucosylated and/or sulfated sialosides on their respiratory epithelia, explaining their dual susceptibility to duck and chicken avian influenza viruses. Turkeys may play an important role in the interspecies transmission of AIVs.