Diverse noroviruses infect humans and animals via the recognition of host- specific glycan ligands.

Therefore, the ability to induce specific glycan expression complements the previously identified developmental and innate immune functions of Toll-like receptors.

Remarkably, each VP8* recognized specific glycan determinants within a unique subset of related glycan structures where specificity differences arise from subtle differences in glycan structures.

Specific glycan expression is an essential characteristic of developing tissues.