The chronically infected cell as a target for the treatment of HIV infection and AIDS.
Infection of the T lymphocyte with HIV results in a cytopathic effect and cell death that has been linked to a selective loss of the helper T-lymphocyte function of the immune system. In addition to acute infection, which leads to cell death, a chronic or persistent infection also occurs. The persistence of these viral reservoirs has been implicated in the progression of HIV infection and AIDS. Rational drug discovery targeted to late-stage events in HIV replication has the potential to yield antiviral agents capable of blocking virus spread by inhibiting the production of infectious virions from these chronic reservoirs. Steve Petteway and colleagues discuss antiviral strategies that target the chronically infected cell, with a focus on HIV protease inhibitors.
Petteway
S R
SR
Department of Antiinfectives, SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, King of Prussia, PA 19406-0939.
Lambert
D M
DM
Metcalf
B W
BW
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000382:microbiology; D015195:Drug Design; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000922:Immunotoxins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
D015704:CD4 Antigens; D000922:Immunotoxins; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D011994:Recombinant Proteins