Zinc Ions Inactivate Influenza Virus Hemagglutinin and Prevent Receptor Binding

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Materials Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Influenza A virus (IAV) poses significant public health risks, necessitating effective prevention strategies.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) can serve as a barrier against respiratory virus transmission.
• Metal ions in PPE show potential for virus inactivation, but mechanisms and resistance are unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the antiviral mechanism of zinc ions against IAV.
• To quantify the effect of zinc ions on IAV's ability to bind to sialic acid receptors.
• To determine if IAV can develop resistance to zinc ions.

Main Methods:

• Hemagglutination assays were used to measure IAV's receptor binding.
• IAV was exposed to varying concentrations and temperatures of zinc ions.
• Serial passaging of IAV in the presence of zinc ions was performed to assess resistance evolution.

Main Results:

• Zinc ions inhibited IAV hemagglutination within 1 minute of exposure.
• Inhibition was concentration-dependent, temperature-dependent, and sustained for at least 24 hours.
• No resistance to zinc ions was observed in IAV after serial passaging.

Conclusions:

• Zinc ions effectively prevent IAV hemagglutination via interaction with viral hemagglutinin.
• Findings support the development of zinc-embedded PPE for self-cleaning antiviral barriers.
• Zinc ions offer a promising strategy for inactivating respiratory viruses like IAV and SARS-CoV-2.