Researchers discover key receptor molecule for flu infection

After decades of research, a research team has discovered the key receptor molecule that enhances the infection of the influenza A virus, providing a novel target for anti-flu drug development.

Viral infection starts when a virus particle attaches to a receptor molecule on the surface of a host cell. The virus particle then hijacks cellular machinery to enter the cell and replicate itself, establishing the infection. The key receptor molecule for the influenza A virus (IAV) has remained unidentified despite decades of research.

A research team led by Professor Yusuke Ohba of Hokkaido University previously demonstrated that changes in Ca²⁺ concentration in host cells play an important role in IAV infections.

In the latest study published in Cell Host & Microbe, the team has discovered that the Ca²⁺ channel, a transmembrane protein that allows Ca²⁺ to move across the cell membrane, is the key receptor molecule for IAV infections. Furthermore, treating human cells with calcium channel blockers (CCBs), which are commonly used as anti-hypertension drug, significantly suppressed IAV infections.

In experiments using cultured human cells, the team found that IAV binds to the Ca²⁺ channel on the cell's surface to trigger an influx of Ca²⁺, followed by entry of the virus and infection. Knocking down Ca²⁺ channels inhibited IAV-induced Ca²⁺ influx and virus entry. They also revealed that sialic acid on the Ca²⁺ channel is crucial for the virus to bind.

Finally, the team tested the effect of CCB on IAV infections using mice. When they treated the animals with CCB intranasally, a significant and dose-dependent reduction in the amount of replicated viruses was observed. When the animals were treated with high amounts of IAV, administration of CCB significantly prolonged survival and allowed weight recovery of the survivors whereas the untreated group died within five days.

"There were cases when the suppressive effect of CCB on IAV infections was comparable to that of an existing anti-flu drug. We expect that the interaction between IAV and the Ca²⁺ channel could be a novel and important target for future drug development," says Yusuke Ohba.