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We found that most pores in CVM have diameters significantly larger than human viruses (average pore size 340\u00a0\u00b1\u00a070\u00a0nm; range approximately 50\u20131800\u00a0nm). This mesh structure is substantially more open than the 15\u2013100-nm spacing expected assuming mucus consists primarily of a random array of individual mucin fibers. Addition of a nonionic detergent to CVM caused the average pore size to decrease to 130\u00a0\u00b1\u00a050\u00a0nm. This suggests hydrophobic interactions between lipid-coated \u201cnaked\u201d protein regions on mucins normally cause mucin fibers to self-condense and\/or bundle with other fibers, creating mucin \u201ccables\u201d at least three times thicker than individual mucin fibers. Although the native mesh structure is not tight enough to trap most viruses, we found that herpes simplex virus (approximately 180\u00a0nm) was strongly trapped in CVM, moving at least 8,000-fold slower than non-mucoadhesive 200-nm nanoparticles. This work provides an accurate measurement of the pore structure of fresh, hydrated ex vivo CVM and demonstrates that mucoadhesion, rather than steric obstruction, may be a critical protective mechanism against a major sexually transmitted virus and perhaps other viruses.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1073\/pnas.0911748107","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2009,12,16]],"date-time":"2009-12-16T23:17:04Z","timestamp":1261005424000},"page":"598-603","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1073\/pnas.cm10313","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":356,"title":["Nanoparticles reveal that human cervicovaginal mucus is riddled with pores larger than viruses"],"prefix":"10.1073","volume":"107","author":[{"given":"Samuel K.","family":"Lai","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering,"},{"name":"Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. 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