Host Glycan–Lectin Interplay in SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Oh, Hyeseong; Thi Thuy Tien, Vu; Ahmed, Showkot; Choi, Jisoo; Ryu, Ki-Jun; Yang, Jinsung

doi:10.3390/ijms27031608

Open AccessReview

Host Glycan–Lectin Interplay in SARS-CoV-2 Infection

by

Hyeseong Oh

,

Vu Thi Thuy Tien

,

Showkot Ahmed

,

Jisoo Choi

,

Ki-Jun Ryu

^* and

Jinsung Yang

^*

Department of Biochemistry and Convergence Medical Science, Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Republic of Korea

^*

Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(3), 1608; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27031608

Submission received: 9 January 2026 / Revised: 30 January 2026 / Accepted: 4 February 2026 / Published: 6 February 2026

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Abstract

Glycan-mediated processes can be critical determinants of viral attachment and entry, yet for enveloped RNA viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, their mechanistic roles remain incompletely defined. This review synthesizes current structural and functional evidence for glycan engagement during SARS-CoV-2 attachment and entry. We describe the general viral entry pathways and their reliance on glycan recognition, followed by the interactions of the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein with host glycans, including ABO(H) blood group antigens, sialylated glycans, and endogenous lectins. Based on structural biology, glycobiology, and virology, we focus on how the spike protein exploits both glycan motifs and lectin receptors to enhance attachment, promote cellular uptake, or modulate host tropism. We contextualize these mechanisms by comparing glycan dependencies across other human viruses, including the influenza virus, HIV, and norovirus. Finally, we provide a comparative virological perspective to derive broad evolutionary insights into how enveloped viruses exploit the host glycans.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; glycan-mediated viral entry; spike glycoprotein; host–virus interactions; lectins; heparan sulfate; sialic acid

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MDPI and ACS Style

Oh, H.; Thi Thuy Tien, V.; Ahmed, S.; Choi, J.; Ryu, K.-J.; Yang, J. Host Glycan–Lectin Interplay in SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27, 1608. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27031608

AMA Style

Oh H, Thi Thuy Tien V, Ahmed S, Choi J, Ryu K-J, Yang J. Host Glycan–Lectin Interplay in SARS-CoV-2 Infection. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2026; 27(3):1608. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27031608

Chicago/Turabian Style

Oh, Hyeseong, Vu Thi Thuy Tien, Showkot Ahmed, Jisoo Choi, Ki-Jun Ryu, and Jinsung Yang. 2026. "Host Glycan–Lectin Interplay in SARS-CoV-2 Infection" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 27, no. 3: 1608. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27031608

APA Style

Oh, H., Thi Thuy Tien, V., Ahmed, S., Choi, J., Ryu, K.-J., & Yang, J. (2026). Host Glycan–Lectin Interplay in SARS-CoV-2 Infection. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 27(3), 1608. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27031608

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

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Host Glycan–Lectin Interplay in SARS-CoV-2 Infection

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