Viral attachment to respiratory epithelium

The term **"Viral attachment to respiratory epithelium"** does not refer to a single molecule or receptor, but rather denotes a process by which respiratory viruses bind to specific molecules (receptors, co-receptors, or attachment factors) on the surface of respiratory epithelial cells to initiate infection[3][1][2]. The specific receptors and attachment factors depend on the virus. For example: - **Influenza viruses** bind to sialic acid residues on epithelial cell surface glycoproteins and glycolipids[3]. - **Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)** uses glycoproteins such as G (attachment glycoprotein) to interact with host receptors including CX3C chemokine receptor 1 (CX3CR1), heparan sulfate, and potentially other factors such as surfactant protein A and annexin II[2][4]. - **SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19 virus)** attaches to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and requires serine proteases like TMPRSS2 for cell entry[5]. - Other viruses (e.g., polyomaviruses, parainfluenza) use distinct receptor interactions[3]. **Viral attachment to respiratory epithelium** is thus a biological event, not a defined molecular target. It encompasses a variety of virus-specific interactions with different cellular receptors and co-factors. When identifying a drug target, it is necessary to specify the particular molecule mediating attachment for a given virus (such as ACE2 for SARS-CoV-2 or sialic acid for influenza)[3][5].

Other names

Viral adhesion to respiratory epithelial cellsVirus-receptor interaction on airway epitheliumViral docking to airway epithelium