Abstract Title
Infection of Bovine Cells by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (HPAI) H5N1
Abstract
Influenza A Virus (IAV) infects a variety of animals, including birds, pigs, and humans. While cattle are susceptible to infection with influenza C and D viruses, they have been resistant to IAV. However, HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b infection was confirmed in dairy cattle in Texas in March 2024, followed by over 300 confirmed outbreaks in dairy farms in the USA. The infected cattle experienced a dramatic drop in milk quality and production. Additionally, several farm workers who had close contact with infected dairy cows tested positive for the virus.
The respiratory and mammary gland cells in cattle are rich in sialic acid α2,3-galactose and α2,6-galactose. The expression of both avian and human typed receptors in the mammary glands suggests the susceptibility to IAV of various species origin. We compared the susceptibility of bovine lung, trachea, and mammary gland cells to both human pandemic H1N1 virus and HPAI H5N1 virus infection. We observed that while both H5N1 and H1N1 could infect bovine trachea and lung cells, only H5N1 is able to infect mammary gland cells efficiently. Our study provided an in vitro model to understand the molecular mechanisms by which HPAI H5N1 specifically targets bovine mammary gland cells, where it replicates efficiently.
The respiratory and mammary gland cells in cattle are rich in sialic acid α2,3-galactose and α2,6-galactose. The expression of both avian and human typed receptors in the mammary glands suggests the susceptibility to IAV of various species origin. We compared the susceptibility of bovine lung, trachea, and mammary gland cells to both human pandemic H1N1 virus and HPAI H5N1 virus infection. We observed that while both H5N1 and H1N1 could infect bovine trachea and lung cells, only H5N1 is able to infect mammary gland cells efficiently. Our study provided an in vitro model to understand the molecular mechanisms by which HPAI H5N1 specifically targets bovine mammary gland cells, where it replicates efficiently.
Co-Author(s)
1 Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E3, Canada.
2 Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4, Canada.
Abstract Category
Avian influenza in mammals, pandemic preparedness, and one health