Sulphoevernan, a polyanionic polysaccharide, and the narcissus lectin potently inhibit human immunodeficiency virus infection by binding to viral envelope protein.
Sulphoevernan is a sulphated alpha-1----3, 1----4 polyglucan (Mr 20,000) with a helical structure. This compound effectively inhibits both human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and type 2 infection of cells in vitro at concentrations around 0.5 micrograms/ml. Moreover, the compound completely inhibits HIV-1-induced syncytium formation at a concentration of 1 microgram/ml. Competition experiments with 35S-labelled sulphoevernan revealed that the mannose-specific lectin from Narcissus pseudonarcissus prevented binding of sulphoevernan to HIV-1, whereas the antibody OKT4A did not reduce the amount of sulphoevernan bound to MT-2 cells. These data indicate that the non-cytotoxic polymer sulphoevernan binds to the virus rather than to the host cell. In vivo studies, using Rauscher leukaemia virus in NMRI mice, revealed that, at a daily dose of 20 mg/kg, the animals were protected against virus-induced increases in spleen weight. From these in vitro and in vivo data we conclude that sulphoevernan has potential in the treatment of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
Weiler
B E
BE
Institut für Physiologische Chemie, Abteilung Angewandte Molekularbiologie, Universität, Mainz, F.R.G.
Schröder
H C
HC
Stefanovich
V
V
Stewart
D
D
Forrest
J M
JM
Allen
L B
LB
Bowden
B J
BJ
Kreuter
M H
MH
Voth
R
R
Müller
W E
WE
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D005936:Glucans; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D015498:HIV-2 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D037102:Lectins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D037121:Plant Lectins; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011485:Protein Binding; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000494:pharmacology
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D005936:Glucans; D037102:Lectins; D037121:Plant Lectins; D011134:Polysaccharides; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; C065887:narcissus lectin; D015215:Zidovudine; C009353:sulfoevernan