title: Inhibition of entry of HIV into cells by poly(A).poly(U).
abstract: Polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid referred to as poly(A).poly(U), is a synthetic double-stranded RNA that has been shown to manifest both antitumoral and immunodulatory activities. Previously, we have reported that poly(A).poly(U) inhibits HIV infection in cell cultures. Here we provide direct evidence to demonstrate that the inhibitory action of poly(A).poly(U) is through its capacity to prevent entry of HIV particles into CD4-positive T lymphocytes. Such inhibition of HIV entry is also observed in the case of other polyanions such as heparin, dextran sulfate, and poly(I).poly(C). The mechanism of inhibition appears to occur postbinding of HIV particles to the CD4 receptor molecules, because the binding of the external envelope glycoprotein of HIV-1 (gp120) is not affected significantly in the presence of poly(A).poly(U) or other polyanions. These results confirm the potential of poly(A).poly(U) as an antiviral drug against HIV infection.
authors.affiliation: Unité de Virologie et Immunologie Cellulaire, Unité 1157 CNRS, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Krust
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Callebaut
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Hovanessian
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001665:Binding Sites; D002460:Cell Line; D016264:Dextran Sulfate / Q000494:pharmacology; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / Q000378:metabolism; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006493:Heparin / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D011063:Poly A-U / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011070:Poly I-C / Q000494:pharmacology; D015728:Receptors, HIV / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120; D015728:Receptors, HIV; D011063:Poly A-U; D006493:Heparin; D016264:Dextran Sulfate; D011070:Poly I-C