PEG immunocamouflage
PEG has been shown to protect cell membrane by creating a physical
barrier that prevents antigen recognition (Eugene, 2004). This effect
has been commonly denoted as immunocamouflage or immunomaskage. In fact,
the high number of water molecules binding on PEG chain produces a
physical and charge-neutralization barrier making cell membrane less
permeable to extracellular elements (Wicomb et al., 1990, Zheng et al.,
1991, Shi, 2013). Immunomasking effect of PEG has been used to reduce
host immune reaction after organ transplantation (Perrin et al., 2009)
and to decrease the risk of transfusion reactions and alloimmunization
of donor red blood cells (Bradley and Scott, 2007). Also, PEG has been
used to coat gene therapy vectors, such as adenovirus, to protect them
from inactivation by the immune system in vivo (Mok et al.,
2005).
Taking this into account, PEG could create a neutralization barrier
preventing coronavirus recognition of its receptors and thus inhibiting
virus entry and invasion.