Fig. 1

Role of heparan sulfate (HS) in the entry of SARS-CoV-2: HS serves as a co-receptor for spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 to binds angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). HS binding compounds may compete with the viral particles for attachment to the HSPGs, thus inhibiting the viral engagement of HS chains and the subsequent access to the ACE2 receptor. Consequently, the viral entry by either fusion or endocytosis may be impaired