Abstract
In semen, proteolytic peptide fragments from prostatic acid phosphatase can form amyloid fibrils termed SEVI (semen-derived enhancer of viral infection). These fibrils greatly enhance human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infectivity by increasing the attachment of virions to target cells. Therefore, SEVI may have a significant impact on whether HIV is successfully transmitted during sexual contact. Here, we demonstrate that surfen, a small molecule heparan sulfate proteoglycan antagonist, inhibits both SEVI- and semen-mediated enhancement of HIV type 1 infection. Surfen interferes with the binding of SEVI to both target cells and HIV type 1 virions but does not deaggregate SEVI fibrils. Because SEVI can increase HIV infectivity by several orders of magnitude, supplementing current HIV microbicide candidates with SEVI inhibitors, such as surfen, might greatly increase their potency.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Aminoquinolines / pharmacology*
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Aminoquinolines / therapeutic use
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Amyloid / antagonists & inhibitors*
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Amyloid / metabolism
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Animals
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Anti-HIV Agents / pharmacology
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Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use
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Cell Line
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Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
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Gene Expression Regulation
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HIV Infections / drug therapy*
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HIV Infections / metabolism
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HIV-1 / drug effects*
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HIV-1 / metabolism
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HIV-1 / physiology
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Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans / deficiency
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Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans / metabolism
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Humans
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Mice
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Rats
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Semen / drug effects*
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Semen / metabolism*
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Semen / virology
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Urea / analogs & derivatives*
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Urea / pharmacology
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Urea / therapeutic use
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Virion / drug effects
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Virion / metabolism
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Virus Internalization / drug effects
Substances
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Aminoquinolines
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Amyloid
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Anti-HIV Agents
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Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans
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aminoquinuride
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Urea