Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 19, 2025

A High-throughput Cre-Lox Activated Viral Membrane Fusion Assay to Identify Inhibitors of HIV-1 Viral Membrane Fusion
Published on: August 14, 2018
A Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Phase-Transformable Liposome with Membrane Fusion-Mediated Virucidal Capability
Yutong Li1,2, Yuhang Li1, Xu Li2
1Eye Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, P. R. China.
None:
Viral infection is a significant threat to global public health. Available antiviral drugs are effective only for specific viruses. It is imperative to develop broad-spectrum antiviral drugs. The heparin sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) biomimetic strategy holds great promise to design broad-spectrum antiviral materials. However, the reversible binding of HSPG-mimicking nanoparticles with virions presents a potential risk of reinfection. Herein, a sulfonated liposome (SC_Lip) that can trigger phase transition below pH 6.5 is screened to combat viral infection at all stages. SC_Lip can realize pH-induced phase transition, which triggers membrane fusion with viral envelope and subsequent viral inactivation. Therefore, SC_Lip exhibits virucidal activity via membrane fusion with viral envelope in both acidic viral infection microenvironment and intracellular acidic lysosomes. The broad-spectrum virucidal activity of SC_Lip is confirmed by different types of viruses, including coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), retrovirus (LV), and herpesvirus (HSV-1). The in vivo antiviral effect of SC_Lip is further verified by a rat HSV-1 anterior uveitis model. Overall, SC_Lip with broad-spectrum virucidal ability holds great promise to fight against emerging viral pandemics in the future.
Related Concept Videos
Retroviruses
Viral Structure
Retrovirus Life Cycles
Subviral Agents

