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Use of Viral Entry Assays and Molecular Docking Analysis for the Identification of Antiviral Candidates against Coxsackievirus A16
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Sialic acid is a cellular receptor for coxsackievirus A24 variant, an emerging virus with pandemic potential

Emma C Nilsson1, Fariba Jamshidi, Susanne M C Johansson

  • 1Department of Clinical Microbiology, Division of Virology, Umeå University, Umeå SE-901 85, Sweden.

Journal of Virology
|January 11, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Coxsackievirus A24 variant uses sialic acid as its cellular receptor, a critical step for infection. This finding identifies a potential target for developing new antiviral drugs against this pandemic-potential virus.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Coxsackievirus A24 variant (CVA24v) is a significant cause of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis with pandemic potential.
  • The cellular receptor for CVA24v has not been previously identified, hindering the development of targeted antiviral therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the cellular receptor for Coxsackievirus A24 variant (CVA24v).
  • To investigate the role of sialic acid in CVA24v binding and infection.
  • To explore potential therapeutic strategies targeting the identified receptor.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells deficient in sialic acid expression to assess CVA24v binding and infection.
  • Employed sialic acid-cleaving enzymes and sialic acid-binding lectins to inhibit CVA24v interaction with corneal epithelial cells.
  • Tested the efficacy of soluble, multivalent sialic acid in blocking CVA24v infection.
  • Investigated the role of proteases in CVA24v cell binding to determine receptor characteristics.

Main Results:

  • CVA24v failed to bind and infect CHO cells lacking sialic acid.
  • Sialic acid-cleaving enzymes, sialic acid-binding lectins, and soluble sialic acid significantly inhibited CVA24v binding and infection of corneal epithelial cells.
  • Protease treatment of cells abolished CVA24v binding, indicating the receptor is a sialylated glycoprotein.
  • CVA24v shares the same sialic acid receptor with Enterovirus 70 and Influenza A virus.

Conclusions:

  • Sialic acid is the cellular receptor for Coxsackievirus A24 variant (CVA24v).
  • CVA24v utilizes a sialylated glycoprotein as its receptor, similar to other pathogenic viruses.
  • Sialic acid-based antiviral drugs hold promise for topical treatment of eye infections caused by CVA24v and other viruses using this receptor.

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