Cyanovirin-N inhibits hepatitis C virus entry by binding to envelope protein glycans

Inhibition of viruses at the stage of viral entry provides a route for therapeutic intervention. Because of difficulties in propagating hepatitis C virus (HCV) in cell culture, entry inhibitors have not yet been reported for this virus. However, with the development of retroviral particles pseudotyped with HCV envelope glycoproteins (HCVpp) and the recent progress in amplification of HCV in cell culture (HCVcc), studying HCV entry is now possible. In addition, these systems are essential for the identification and the characterization of molecules that block HCV entry. The lectin cyanovirin-N (CV-N) has initially been discovered based on its potent activity against human immunodeficiency virus. Because HCV envelope glycoproteins are highly glycosylated, we sought to determine whether CV-N has an antiviral activity against this virus. CV-N inhibited the infectivity of HCVcc and HCVpp at low nanomolar concentrations. This inhibition is attributed to the interaction of CV-N with HCV envelope glycoproteins. In addition, we showed that the carbohydrate binding property of CV-N is involved in the anti-HCV activity. Finally, CV-N bound to HCV envelope glycoproteins and blocked the interaction between the envelope protein E2 and CD81, a cell surface molecule involved in HCV entry. These data demonstrate that targeting the glycans of HCV envelope proteins is a promising approach in the development of antiviral therapies to combat a virus that is a major cause of chronic liver diseases. Furthermore, CV-N is a new invaluable tool to further dissect the early steps of HCV entry into host cells.