Multivalent sialic acid conjugates inhibit adenovirus type 37 from binding to and infecting human corneal epithelial cells.

Adenovirus type 37 is one of the main causative agents of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis. In a series of publications, we have reported that this virus uses sialic acid as a cellular receptor. Here we demonstrate in vitro that on a molar basis, multivalent sialic acid conjugated to human serum albumin prevents adenovirus type 37 from binding to and infecting human corneal epithelial cells 1000-fold more efficiently than monosaccharidic sialic acid. We also demonstrate that the extraordinary inhibitory effect of multivalent sialic acid is due to the ability of this compound to aggregate virions. We conclude that multivalent sialic acid may be a potential new antiviral drug, for use in the treatment of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis caused by the adenoviruses that use sialic acid as cellular receptor.