Inhibition of HSV-1 attachment, entry, and cell-to-cell spread by functionalized multivalent gold nanoparticles.

The use of modified nanoparticles in interactions with biological targets is attracting rapidly increasing attention. In this Full Paper, the application of gold nanoparticles capped with mercaptoethanesulfonate (Au-MES NPs) as effective inhibitors of Herpes simplex virus type 1 infection based on their ability to mimic cell-surface-receptor heparan sulfate is described. Mechanistic studies reveal that Au-MES NPs interfere with viral attachment, entry, and cell-to-cell spread, thereby preventing subsequent viral infection in a multimodal manner. The ligand multiplicity achieved with carrier nanoparticles is crucial in generating polyvalent interactions with the virus at high specificity, strength, and efficiency. Such multivalent-nanoparticle-mediated inhibition is a promising approach for alternative antiviral therapy.