Chikungunya Virus E2 N218K Enhances Heparan Sulfate-Dependent Attachment and Viral Internalization While Conferring Partial Attenuation in A129 Mice
Findings identify N218K as a determinant of HS-dependent attachment and partial attenuation in A129 mice, reveal a “high attachment–low dissemination” phenotype, and show that this charge-altering E2 substitution enhances post-attachment internalization.