Understanding Viral-Glycocalyx Interactions Using Brush-Linked to Cross- Linked Models

M Ziarnik and DC Hou and XF Zhang and A Jagota, LANGMUIR, 41, 17716-17724 (2025).

DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.5c01395

The interaction of viruses with cells is mediated by the glycocalyx, a ubiquitous cell coating layer. Here, we present a study of the effects of the cellular glycocalyx, a complex outer cell structure, on viral internalization. Using both simulations and experiments, we have shown that the structure of the glycocalyx, specifically the number of cross- links within it, can greatly influence the ability of a virus to infect a cell. We show that the presence of the glycocalyx plays a direct role in viral internalization, and targeting the glycocalyx can be a potential avenue for future therapies. Overall, by comparison with experimental results, we conclude that a brush-like glycocalyx model is the more appropriate computational model compared to its partially cross-linked versions.

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