Evaluation of the anti-HIV activity of natalizumab, an antibody against integrin alpha4

AIDS. 2009 Jan 14;23(2):266-8. doi: 10.1097/qad.0b013e328320a7f8.

Abstract

The alpha4beta7 integrin has been shown to serve as a coreceptor for HIV. One anti-alpha4 integrin agent (natalizumab) has been approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and Crohn's disease. We found that activation of CD4+ T cells with retinoic acid induced the upregulation of alpha4 and beta7 integrins. However, natalizumab failed to block the replication of HIV-1 strains in lymphoid MT-4 cells or CD4+ T cells at concentrations up to 125microg/ml. Our results suggest that alpha4 integrins are not essential cofactors for HIV replication.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-HIV Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / virology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / methods
  • HIV-1 / drug effects*
  • HIV-1 / physiology
  • Humans
  • Integrin alpha4 / immunology*
  • Lymphocyte Activation / drug effects
  • Natalizumab
  • U937 Cells
  • Virus Replication / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Natalizumab
  • Integrin alpha4