Dextran sulfate inhibits the fusion of influenza virus with model membranes, and suppresses influenza virus replication in vivo.

The effect of dextran sulfate and related compounds on the fusion of influenza A virus with model membranes, composed of dioleylphosphatidyl-choline and cholesterol (1:0.5), was investigated by a fusion assay based on de-quenching of fluorescence of octadecyl-rhodamine-HC1 (R18). Dextran sulfate samples of molecular weight of 500,000, 8,000 and 5,000 were found to be potent inhibitors of the virus-liposome fusion process. Polygalacturonic acid also showed anti-fusion activity, but to a lesser extent. Uncharged dextran, positively charged diethylaminoethyldextran, and the monomer glucosamin-1,6-disulfate were ineffective. It was shown that dextran sulfate interacts with the virus. Our results suggest that dextran sulfate binds to and inactivates the viral fusion protein.