Heparan Sulfate and Foot-and-mouth Disease Virus Infection

Abstract:

Receptors are primary determinant of viral tropism and disease pathogenesis. Heparan sulfates (HS) are ubiquitous, polyanionic carbohydrate chains linked to core proteins in cell membranes and extracellular matrices of all eukaryotes. HS have also been demonstrated to function as receptors or co-receptors for a number of different viruses. To date, HS and four RGD-dependent integrins, αvβ3, αvβ6, αvβ1, and αvβ8 have been reported to serve as receptors for Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). Different receptors may be used to interact with host cells during FMDV infection. Studies on the structure and function of receptors are very important for understanding the interaction between host cells and FMDV. Here, We mainly reviews the progress on the biological characteristics of HS and its roles in FMDV infection.