Host cell surface

The host cell surface is the external boundary of a cell, primarily defined by the plasma membrane, which separates the intracellular environment from the extracellular space (Alberts et al., 2002). It consists of a phospholipid bilayer interspersed with proteins, glycoproteins, and glycolipids that perform essential roles in maintaining cellular integrity, facilitating communication, and regulating the transport of molecules (Lodish et al., 2000). In pharmacology and virology, the host cell surface is frequently cited as the site of initial contact for pathogens, where viral attachment proteins bind to specific host receptors to gain entry (Maginnis, 2018). While the surface contains numerous high-value therapeutic targets, such as G protein-coupled receptors and ion channels, the term host cell surface itself is considered too broad to be a specific drug target. Therapeutic strategies involving the host cell surface typically focus on blocking specific protein-protein or protein-glycan interactions to prevent disease progression, particularly in viral infections and oncology (Siegel et al., 2017).

Other names

Plasma membraneCell membraneHost cell membraneCytoplasmic membraneCellular envelope

Inhibition of viral attachment and entry by targeting surface-expressed proteins or lipids.