Human adenovirus attachment receptors

Adenovirus attachment receptors are a group of host cell surface proteins that mediate the initial binding of human adenoviruses (HAdVs), a critical step for viral entry and infection. The primary receptors include the coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR), which is utilized by most HAdV species (A, C, D, E, and F) and is prominently expressed on respiratory epithelial cells, and CD46 (membrane cofactor protein) and desmoglein 2 (DSG2), which are the main receptors for species B adenoviruses. While CAR is essential for the infection of the respiratory tract by common serotypes like Ad5, CD46 and DSG2 are particularly important for species B viruses that exhibit tropism for immune cells, such as dendritic cells and hematopoietic stem cells. These receptors are major targets in the development of adenoviral vectors for gene therapy and oncolytic virotherapy, with drugs like nadofaragene firadenovec and gendicine relying on receptor-mediated entry to deliver therapeutic payloads. However, challenges such as pre-existing host immunity, hepatotoxicity due to liver sequestration, and systemic inflammatory responses remain significant hurdles in targeting these receptors for clinical applications.

Other names

CARCD46DSG2CXADRMCPDesmoglein-2Coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptorMembrane cofactor proteinAdenovirus attachment receptorsRespiratory epithelial and immune cell adenovirus attachment receptors

Viral attachment and entry, Gene delivery, Oncolysis