Sulfated Cellulose Nanofiber Hydrogel with Mucus-Like Activities for Virus Inhibition

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Mucus is the first defense barrier against viruses in the human immune system. Inspired by the mucus structure, we designed a highly sulfated hydrogel to bind viruses and prevent infection of the underlying cells. The hydrogel was formed by gelation of sulfated cellulose nanofiber (SCNF) with Ca 2+ . SCNF exhibited a mucin-like nanofiber structure with high numbers of sulfated groups. Based on the electrostatic interactions with a virus, SCNF could efficiently inhibit herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) infection with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) of 0.43 μg/mL, which is comparable to that of heparin (IC 50 = 0.30 μg/mL). Benefiting from the multiporous structure and sulfate groups, the Ca 2+ -SCNF hydrogel could efficiently trap HSV-1 and inhibit the virus from attacking the underlying cells in a transwell model. Furthermore, SCNF also inhibited SARS-CoV-2 infection in a similar experimental setting. By integrating the advantages of high and broad-spectrum virus inhibitory activity as well as low toxicity, it is believed that the Ca 2+ -SCNF hydrogel can promote the development of highly biocompatible and efficient antiviral material with “binding and inhibition” capability and other diverse strategies.