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Influenza Virus
Moderators: AmyCowen, kgudger, MadelineB, Moderators
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deleted-131526
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Wed Apr 17, 2013 3:11 pm
- Occupation: Student 9th grade
- Project Question: influenza flu viruses
- Project Due Date: april 19 2013
- Project Status: I am conducting my experiment
Influenza Virus
why is it that the influenza virus only infect humans, mammals, and birds but not reptiles, fish, or insects?
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sunmoonstars
- Expert
- Posts: 424
- Joined: Fri Dec 12, 2008 3:47 pm
- Occupation: Platform Manager - Biologics
- Project Question: n/a
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- Project Status: Not applicable
Re: Influenza Virus
Hi,
That's a great question. I had trouble finding information on that from web searches. Generally: The immune system of those other animals doesn't recognize the virus and so it doesn't react. But the virus could get in - and is likely not being replicated (very efficiently) - so perhaps something is different about the cell's machinery for replication - it doesn't work with mammalian virus. I KNOW there are reptilian viruses, and also insect viruses that do not affect humans, so it seems to work both ways.
If any other experts have more insight - I would love to hear it. What an interesting question!
Tonya
That's a great question. I had trouble finding information on that from web searches. Generally: The immune system of those other animals doesn't recognize the virus and so it doesn't react. But the virus could get in - and is likely not being replicated (very efficiently) - so perhaps something is different about the cell's machinery for replication - it doesn't work with mammalian virus. I KNOW there are reptilian viruses, and also insect viruses that do not affect humans, so it seems to work both ways.
If any other experts have more insight - I would love to hear it. What an interesting question!
Tonya
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deleted-71536
- Former Expert
- Posts: 895
- Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2005 3:59 pm
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- Project Question: How do different animals adapt to their environment?
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Re: Influenza Virus
Hi there,
You have a very interesting question, and Tonya has already offered some great insight.
Another thing to consider is that viruses usually "find" their host cells by interacting with surface proteins on the cell membrane (in animals) or cell wall (in other organisms). Different types of animals express different cell surface proteins, so it's possible that influenza recognizes cell surface proteins in mammals and birds that are not expressed in other animals.
Another important thing to consider is that mammals and birds are endotherms ("warm-blooded"), which means they have a relatively constant, warm core body temperature. This may be important for the flu virus. Reptiles, fish, and insects are all ectotherms ("cold-blooded"), which means their body temperature depends on the environment and can sometimes fluctuate a lot more.
I hope this gets you thinking. Please post again (in this same thread) if you have more questions. I'm interested to find out where this project goes!
Heather
You have a very interesting question, and Tonya has already offered some great insight.
Another thing to consider is that viruses usually "find" their host cells by interacting with surface proteins on the cell membrane (in animals) or cell wall (in other organisms). Different types of animals express different cell surface proteins, so it's possible that influenza recognizes cell surface proteins in mammals and birds that are not expressed in other animals.
Another important thing to consider is that mammals and birds are endotherms ("warm-blooded"), which means they have a relatively constant, warm core body temperature. This may be important for the flu virus. Reptiles, fish, and insects are all ectotherms ("cold-blooded"), which means their body temperature depends on the environment and can sometimes fluctuate a lot more.
I hope this gets you thinking. Please post again (in this same thread) if you have more questions. I'm interested to find out where this project goes!
Heather