Heparin-dependent attachment of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) to host cells

In this study we could demonstrate that heparin (ED50 = 0.32 +/- 0.12 microgram/ml), but not heparan sulphate or chondroitin sulphate C is able to inhibit in vitro infection of cells by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). In addition, this protective effect of heparin could only be observed, when heparin was present at the time of inoculation. Enzymatic digestion of cell surface glycosaminoglycans with heparinase and heparitinase, but not chondroitin sulphate ABC lyase reduced the effectiveness of RSV-infection. Affinity chromatography experiments, using immobilised heparin further demonstrated that RSV attachment protein G was able to bind specifically to heparin. Therefore heparin-like proteoglycans showed properties required for attachment of RSV to host cells.