Norovirus devours human milk oligosaccharides rich in α-fucose.

Human norovirus binding to histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) is thought to direct their entry into host cells. However, the glycan epitopes characteristic of HBGAs are also present on oligosaccharides abundant in human milk. In this issue of JBC, Hanisch compared norovirus binding to human gastric mucins and human milk oligosaccharides, finding those bound most avidly are rich in α-fucose.

Oligomannose-Rich Membranes of Dying Intestinal Epithelial Cells Promote Host Colonization by Adherent-Invasive .

A novel mechanism is revealed by which clinical isolates of adherent-invasive (AIEC) penetrate into the epithelial cell layer, replicate, and establish biofilms in Crohn's disease. AIEC uses the FimH fimbrial adhesin to bind to oligomannose glycans on the surface of host cells. Oligomannose glycans exposed on early apoptotic cells are the preferred binding targets of AIEC, so apoptotic cells serve as potential entry points for bacteria into the epithelial cell layer.