Galectin-1-conjugated gold nanoparticles as a multivalent macromolecular platform for broad-spectrum inhibition of influenza virus via glycan recognition

Abstract

The development of antiviral nanotherapeutics remains a formidable challenge due to the structural diversity and rapid evolution of viral surface glycoconjugates. Here, we report a rationally engineered multivalent Galectin-1 (Gal-1) nanoplatform based on 13-nm gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for high-affinity glycan targeting and therapeutic inhibition of influenza virus. By leveraging site-specific conjugation and molecular orientation control, the AuNP/Gal-1 nanocomplex maximizes the exposure of carbohydrate recognition domains (CRDs) while preserving Gal-1's tertiary structure, as confirmed by molecular dynamics simulations and spectroscopic analyses. The multivalent architecture enables nanomolar binding affinity (0.9-6.7 nM) across diverse influenza A subtypes (H1N1,H2N2,H3N2), representing a 100- to 800-fold enhancement over monomeric Gal-1. The nanocomplex exhibits exceptional proteolytic stability and long-term bioactivity retention. Functional assays demonstrate robust protection against virus-induced cytopathic effects in mammalian cells and significant viral titer reduction. In vivo, AuNP/Gal-1 mitigates pulmonary pathology and improves survival in mice challenged with lethal influenza. This study presents a scalable and modular nanobioconjugation strategy that transforms lectins with inherently low affinity into potent, broad-spectrum anti-influenza agents, offering a broadly applicable platform for targeting glycan-mediated pathogenesis in infectious diseases and oncology.

Keywords: Antiviral nanotherapeutics; Galectin-1; Glycan targeting; Gold nanoparticles; Influenza virus; Multivalent nanoplatform.