Increased expression of α2-6 linked sialic acids by nasal mucins in allergic rhinitis

Abstract

Mucins have a polypeptide backbone, oligosaccharide side‐chains and peripheral structures that include sialic acids. Several pathogens have specific receptors for sialic acids, including human strains of influenza A virus which preferentially recognise and bind α2‐6 linked rather than α2‐3 linked sialic acids.1 The aim of this study was to identify possible disease‐related changes in the expression of sialic acids in nasal mucins. Nasal mucosal samples were placed in organ culture. Metabolically‐labelled mucins were purified by gel filtration, blotted on to nitrocellulose membranes and probed with the sialic acid‐binding lectins Sambucus nigra and Maackia amurensis. Ninety‐five mucosal sampl..