Sialic acid (N-acetylneuraminic acid) is used by many viruses (influenza, mumps, corona, noro, and rotavirus) to initiate viral replication. This binding between the virus and sialic acid on cell surfaces is mediated by multiple simultaneous interactions (polyvalency). Sialic acid-containing polymers can mimic this natural polyvalent attachment as each repeat unit is capable of binding to the viral surface. Previously synthesized polymeric antivirals support this phenomenon and have significantly enhanced the inhibition of viral infection in comparison to monomeric analogues. Because these tailored polymers act as a decoy for viruses to bind to instead of an otherwise healthy cell, replication, infection, and resultant symptoms are greatly reduced.<br/>Our previous work with sialic acid containing polymers has been geared toward enhanced inhibition of influenza by creating a library of polymers with systematically varied molecular weight, topology, sialic acid content, sialic acid linkage, side chain length, and comonomer identity. These polymers will be tested via a hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay and analyzed for enhanced inhibition of influenza. These fundamental structure-property relationship studies will serve as a basis for designing and synthesizing future aerosolized anti-influenza materials. Additionally, utilizing that influenza and corona viruses both use sialic acid to initiate replication, we have synthesized sialic acid containing nanoparticles for inhibition of SARS-CoV-2.

Developing sialic acid-containing antiviral materials

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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