Anti-viral activity of human recombinant heparin-binding proteins HBNF and MK

Herpes simplex viruses bind to cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans, as a first step of viral infection. We report here that two recombinant heparin-binding proteins HBNF and MK inhibit infectivity of human herpes simplex viruses types 1 and 2 and human cytomegalovirus. Carboxymethylated HBNF and MK, which retain affinity for heparin-Sepharose, do not exhibit anti-viral activities. Arguments are presented that anti-viral effects of HBNF and MK are due to the competition for the specific binding to the cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans.