title: Suramin protection of T cells in vitro against infectivity and cytopathic effect of HTLV-III.
abstract: A recently discovered member of the human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV) family of retroviruses has been etiologically linked to the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). This virus, which has been designated HTLV-III, is tropic for OKT4-bearing (helper-inducer) T cells. Moreover, the virus is cytopathic for these cells. Suramin is a drug used in the therapy of Rhodesian trypanosomiasis and onchocerciasis, and it is known to inhibit the reverse transcriptase of a number of retroviruses. Suramin has now been found to block in vitro the infectivity and cytopathic effect of HTLV-III at doses that are clinically attainable in human beings.
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002999:Clone Cells; D003588:Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral / Q000187:drug effects; D017977:Deltaretrovirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D013498:Suramin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000502:physiology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000502:physiology; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D013498:Suramin