Many pathogens causing diarrhea do so by modulating ion transport in the gut. Respiratory pathogens are similarly associated with disturbances of fluid balance in the respiratory tract, although it is not known whether they too act by altering epithelial ion transport. Here we show that influenza virus AyPRy8y34 inhibits the amiloride-sensitive Na1 current across mouse tracheal epithelium with a half-time of about 60 min. We further show that the inhibitory effect of the influenza virus is caused by the binding of viral hemagglutinin to a cell-surface receptor, which then activates phospholipase C and protein kinase C. Given the importance of epithelial Na1 channels in controlling the amount of fluid in the respiratory tract, we suggest that down-regulation of Na1 channels induced by influenza virus may play a role in the fluid transport abnormalities that are associated with influenza infections.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	Lung pathology; influenza A virus; electrolyte transport; epithelial sodium channel
Research Division:	Biological Sciences
Research Group:	Biochemistry and cell biology
Research Field:	Cellular interactions (incl. adhesion, matrix, cell wall)
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Clinical health
Objective Field:	Prevention of human diseases and conditions
UTAS Author:	Karupiah, G (Associate Professor Guna Karupiah)
ID Code:	142836
Year Published:	2000
Web of Science® Times Cited:	102
Deposited By:	Medicine
Deposited On:	2021-02-12
Last Modified:	2021-09-22
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