Human Macrophage C-Type Lectin Specific for Galactose and N-Acetylgalactosamine Promotes Filovirus Entry

Ayato Takada, Kouki Fujioka, Makoto Tsuiji, Akiko Morikawa, Nobuaki Higashi, Hideki Ebihara, Darwyn Kobasa, Heinz Feldmann, Tatsuro Irimura, Yoshihiro Kawaoka

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

197 Scopus citations

Abstract

Filoviruses cause lethal hemorrhagic disease in humans and nonhuman primates. An initial target of filovirus infection is the mononuclear phagocytic cell. Calcium-dependent (C-type) lectins such as dendritic cell- or liver/lymph node-specific ICAM-3 grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN or L-SIGN, respectively), as well as the hepatic asialoglycoprotein receptor, bind to Ebola or Marburg virus glycoprotein (GP) and enhance the infectivity of these viruses in vitro. Here, we demonstrate that a recently identified human macrophage galactose- and N-acetylgalactosamine-specific C-type lectin (hMGL), whose ligand specificity differs from DC-SIGN and L-SIGN, also enhances the infectivity of filoviruses. This enhancement was substantially weaker for the Reston and Marburg viruses than for the highly pathogenic Zaire virus. We also show that the heavily glycosylated, mucin-like domain on the filovirus GP is required for efficient interaction with this lectin. Furthermore, hMGL, like DC-SIGN and L-SIGN, is present on cells known to be major targets of filoviruses (i.e., macrophages and dendritic cells), suggesting a role for these C-type lectins in viral replication in vivo. We propose that filoviruses use different C-type lectins to gain cellular entry, depending on the cell type, and promote efficient viral replication.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2943-2947
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of virology
Volume78
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2004

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Insect Science
  • Virology

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