A small-molecule inhibitor directed against the chemokine receptor CXCR4 prevents its use as an HIV-1 coreceptor

J Exp Med. 1997 Oct 20;186(8):1395-400. doi: 10.1084/jem.186.8.1395.

Abstract

The chemokine receptor CXCR4 is the major coreceptor used for cellular entry by T cell- tropic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 strains, whereas CCR5 is used by macrophage (M)-tropic strains. Here we show that a small-molecule inhibitor, ALX40-4C, inhibits HIV-1 envelope (Env)-mediated membrane fusion and viral entry directly at the level of coreceptor use. ALX40-4C inhibited HIV-1 use of the coreceptor CXCR4 by T- and dual-tropic HIV-1 strains, whereas use of CCR5 by M- and dual-tropic strains was not inhibited. Dual-tropic viruses capable of using both CXCR4 and CCR5 were inhibited by ALX40-4C only when cells expressed CXCR4 alone. ALX40-4C blocked stromal-derived factor (SDF)-1alpha-mediated activation of CXCR4 and binding of the monoclonal antibody 12G5 to cells expressing CXCR4. Overlap of the ALX40-4C binding site with that of 12G5 and SDF implicates direct blocking of Env interactions, rather than downregulation of receptor, as the mechanism of inhibition. Thus, ALX40-4C represents a small-molecule inhibitor of HIV-1 infection that acts directly against a chemokine receptor at the level of Env-mediated membrane fusion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-HIV Agents / pharmacology*
  • HIV Infections / immunology
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • HIV-1 / drug effects*
  • HIV-1 / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell
  • Oligopeptides / metabolism
  • Oligopeptides / pharmacology*
  • Protein Binding / drug effects
  • Receptors, CXCR4 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Receptors, CXCR4 / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes / virology
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • N-alpha-acetyl-nona-D-arginine amide acetate
  • Oligopeptides
  • Receptors, CXCR4