Epigenetic glycosylation of SARS-CoV-2 impact viral infection through DC&L-SIGN receptors

Highlights

• DC&L-SIGN are SARS-CoV-2 attachment co-receptor

• Viral spike (S) glycoprotein undergoes epigenetic modification during infection

• Epigenetic glycosylation affects viral in-cis&-trans infections through DC&L-SIGN

• High-mannose glycan at 1098 site of postfusion S trimer is vital for viral infection

Summary

Glycosylation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike glycoprotein mediates viral entry and immune escape. While glycan site is determined by viral genetic code, glycosylation is completely dependent on host cell post-translational modification. Here, by producing SARS-CoV-2 virions from various host cell lines, viruses of different origins with diverse spike protein glycan patterns were revealed. Binding affinities to C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) DC&L-SIGN differed in the different glycan pattern virions. Although none of the CLRs supported viral productive infection, viral trans&cis-infection mediated by the CLRs were substantially changed among the different virions. Specifically, trans&cis-infection of virions with a high-mannose structure (Man₅GlcNAc₂) at the N1098 glycan site of the spike postfusion trimer were markedly enhanced. Considering L-SIGN co-expression with ACE2 on respiratory tract cells, our work underlines viral epigenetic glycosylation in authentic viral infection and highlights the attachment co-receptor role of DC&L-SIGN in SARS-CoV-2 infection and prevention.