HEPARIN-DEPENDENT ATTACHMENT OF RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS (RSV) TO HOST-CELLS

In this study we could demonstrate that heparin (ED50 = 0.32 +/- 0.12 mu g/ml), but not heparan sulphate or chondroitin sulphate C is able t o inhibit in vitro infection of cells by respiratory syncytial virus ( RSV). In addition, this protective effect of heparin could only be obs erved, when heparin was present at the time of inoculation. Enzymatic digestion of cell surface glycosaminoglycans with heparinase and hepar itinase, but not chondroitin sulphate ABC lyase reduced the effectiven ess of RSV-infection. Affinity chromatography experiments, using immob ilised heparin further demonstated that RSV attachment protein G was a ble to bind specifically to heparin. Therefore heparin-like proteoglyc ans showed properties required for attachment of RSV to host cells.