Mineralo-organic particles inhibit influenza A virus infection by targeting viral hemagglutinin activity.

Mineralo-organic particles, naturally present in human body fluids, participate in ectopic calcification and inflammatory diseases. These particles coexist with influenza A virus (IAV) in the same microenvironment during viral infection. Our objective was to investigate the functional consequences of the potential interactions between these particles and the virions. We used models, including electron microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, hemagglutination assay and viral infection assays to examine the interactions. Mineralo-organic particles bind to IAV virions through interactions involving particle-bound fetuin-A and mineral content, effectively engaging viral hemagglutinin. These interactions result in hindered viral infection. These findings uncover the novel interactions between mineralo-organic particles and IAV, highlighting the impact of virus microenvironment complexity.