Mannose hyperbranched dendritic polymers interact with clustered organization of DC-SIGN and inhibit gp120 binding

DC-SIGN (dendritic cell-specific ICAM-3 grabbing non-integrin) is a C-type lectin receptor of dendritic cells and is involved in the initial steps of numerous infectious diseases. Surface plasmon resonance has been used to study the affinity of a glycodendritic polymer with 32 mannoses, to DC-SIGN. This glycodendrimer binds to DC-SIGN surfaces in the submicromolar range. This binding depends on a clustered organization of DC-SIGN mimicking its natural organization as microdomain in the dendritic cells plasma membrane. Moreover, this compound inhibits DC-SIGN binding to the HIV glycoprotein gp120 with an IC50 in the micromolar range and therefore can be considered as a potential antiviral drug.