Increased levels of α2-3- and α2-6-linked sialic acids during airway inflammation govern influenza A binding to peripheral airway mucins in a subtype-dependent manner
Background: Influenza infection increases the risk of pneumonia and respiratory failure in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and mucins play an important role in pulmonary host defense. Methods: Lower airway mucins were obtained from long-term smokers with and without COPD, pneumonia patients, and healthy never-smokers; oral MUC5B was obtained from a healthy never-smoker, and the abilit
