707. Mucin-Inspired Filamentous Sulfated Copolymers Effectively Inhibit Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (hRSV) Infectivity
R. Bej, E. Xie, K. Ludwig, R. F. Schmidt, Y. Kerkhoff, R. Dalgliesh, N. Paul, M. Gradzielski, A. Herrmann, C. Sieben, R. Haag – 2025
Virucidal compounds capable of binding to and disrupting viruses represent a promising avenue for antiviral applications. In this study, we report the development of high molecular weight (approximately 300 kDa) dendronized polyglycerol-based mucin-inspired amphiphilic statistical copolymers (MIACPs) using the RAFT polymerization technique. These copolymers comprise approximately 30% repeat units containing aliphatic C11 carbon chains with terminal carboxylate (MIACP-1) and alkyl (MIACP-2) functionalities, while the remaining ~70% of the repeat units consist of dendronized polyglycerol sulfates. Structural characterization using cryo electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) revealed that MIACPs form single-chain filamentous structures, similar to natural porcine gastric mucin (PGM). These biocompatible MIACPs exhibited strong, sulfate-dependent inhibition of human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV), with exceptionally low IC₅₀ values (C= ~0.25 µg/mL). The virucidal activity was assessed using serial dilution experiments, which confirmed that MIACPs demonstrated virucidal activity, indicating a very strong binding affinity of the polymers to the hRSV. In contrast, a similar molecular weight homopolymer composed solely of sulfated dendronized repeat units exhibited comparable hRSV inhibition activity but lacked any virucidal effect. Therefore, designing a statistical copolymer with approximately 30% virucidal functionality is unique in that it renders the copolymer virucidal without compromising its inhibitory activity.
