Protection of macaques from vaginal SHIV challenge by vaginally delivered inhibitors of virus-cell fusion. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) continues to spread, principally by heterosexual sex, but no vaccine is available. Hence, alternative prevention methods are needed to supplement educational and behavioural-modification programmes. One such approach is a vaginal microbicide: the application of inhibitory compounds before intercourse. Here, we have evaluated the microbicide concept using the rhesus macaque 'high dose' vaginal transmission model with a CCR5-receptor-using simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV-162P3) and three compounds that inhibit different stages of the virus-cell attachment and entry process. These compounds are BMS-378806, a small molecule that binds the viral gp120 glycoprotein and prevents its attachment to the CD4 and CCR5 receptors, CMPD167, a small molecule that binds to CCR5 to inhibit gp120 association, and C52L, a bacterially expressed peptide inhibitor of gp41-mediated fusion. In vitro, all three compounds inhibit infection of T cells and cervical tissue explants, and C52L acts synergistically with CMPD167 or BMS-378806 to inhibit infection of cell lines. In vivo, significant protection was achieved using each compound alone and in combinations. CMPD167 and BMS-378806 were protective even when applied 6 h before challenge.

publication date

  • October 30, 2005

Research

keywords

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • HIV
  • HIV Infections
  • Macaca mulatta
  • Membrane Fusion
  • Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
  • Vagina

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 27744571425

PubMed ID

  • 16258536

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 438

issue

  • 7064