Closing two doors of viral entry: intramolecular combination of a coreceptor- and fusion inhibitor of HIV-1

Virol J. 2008 May 1:5:56. doi: 10.1186/1743-422X-5-56.

Abstract

We describe a novel strategy in which two inhibitors of HIV viral entry were incorporated into a single molecule. This bifunctional fusion inhibitor consists of an antibody blocking the binding of HIV to its co-receptor CCR5, and a covalently linked peptide which blocks envelope mediated virus-cell fusion. This novel bifunctional molecule is highly active on CCR5- and X4-tropic viruses in a single cycle assay and a reporter cell line with IC50 values of 0.03-0.05 nM. We demonstrated that both inhibitors contribute to the antiviral activity. In the natural host peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) the inhibition of CXCR4-tropic viruses is dependant on the co-expression of CCR5 and CXCR4 receptors. This bifunctional inhibitor may offer potential for improved pharmacokinetic parameters for a fusion inhibitor in humans and the combination of two active antiviral agents in one molecule may provide better durability in controlling the emergence of resistant viruses.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CCR5 Receptor Antagonists
  • Cell Line
  • HIV Fusion Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • HIV-1 / drug effects*
  • HIV-1 / immunology
  • HIV-1 / physiology
  • Humans
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Membrane Fusion / drug effects
  • Mice
  • Receptors, CCR5 / immunology
  • Receptors, CCR5 / metabolism*
  • Receptors, CXCR4 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, CXCR4 / metabolism
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / pharmacology
  • Virus Attachment / drug effects*
  • Virus Internalization / drug effects*

Substances

  • CCR5 Receptor Antagonists
  • HIV Fusion Inhibitors
  • Receptors, CCR5
  • Receptors, CXCR4
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins