Inhibition of BK virus haemagglutination by gangliosides

The effect of gangliosides extracted from human group O Rh+ erythrocytes on haemagglutination by BK virus was investigated. Experiments were performed on both ganglioside mixtures and isolated fractions separated by column chromatography and characterized by thin-layer chromatography. These results were compared with those obtained with standard preparations of gangliosides, and the inhibiting activity was shown to be confined mainly to gangliosides with a RF lower than GM1. It was also observed that the insertion of gangliosides in liposomes increased the haemagglutination-inhibiting activity and that ganglioside coating restored the ability of glycosidase-treated human red blood cells to agglutinate.