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Inhibition Of Human Metapneumovirus Binding To Heparan Sulfate Blocks Infection In Human Lung Cells And Airway Tissues, Edita M. Klimyte, Stacy E. Smith, Pasqua Oreste, David Lembo, Rebecca Ellis Dutch

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV), a recently discovered paramyxovirus, infects nearly 100% of the world population and causes severe respiratory disease in infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised patients. We previously showed that HMPV binds heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) and that HMPV binding requires only the viral fusion (F) protein. To characterize the features of this interaction critical for HMPV binding and the role of this interaction in infection in relevant models, we utilized sulfated polysaccharides, heparan sulfate mimetics, and occluding compounds. Iota-carrageenan demonstrated potent anti-HMPV activity by inhibiting binding to lung cells mediated by the F protein. Furthermore, analysis of a minilibrary …