Fig. 9: A model for SAFV infection.

Sulfated GAGs and integrin αVβ8 function as interconnected dual receptors for SAFV infection in HeLa-N cells. SAFV can directly bind to either sulfated GAGs or integrin αVβ8, while a portion of viruses bound to sulfated GAGs subsequently interact with integrin αVβ8. In addition, the data suggest the existence of a downstream molecule (factor X) required for an unspecified step in the viral entry process following sulfated GAGs binding.