CCR5 small-molecule antagonists and monoclonal antibodies exert potent synergistic antiviral effects by cobinding to the receptor.
A panel of four CCR5 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) recognizing different epitopes on CCR5 was examined in CCR5-mediated cell-cell fusion assay, alone or in combination with a variety of small molecule CCR5 antagonists. Although no antagonism was observed between any of the CCR5 inhibitors, surprisingly potent synergy was observed between CCR5 mAbs and antagonists, and the synergistic activity was confirmed in other antiviral assays. Strong synergy was also observed between CCR5 inhibitors and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) fusion inhibitor enfuvirtide. There was no synergy observed between small molecule CCR5 inhibitors; however, potent synergy was observed between mAbs recognizing different parts of CCR5. In all synergistic combinations, greater synergy was achieved at higher percent inhibition levels. A negative correlation was found between the degree of synergy between the two classes of CCR5 inhibitors and the ability to compete each other for binding to the receptor. For example, the greatest synergy, observed between the mAb ROAb13 and the small molecule inhibitor maraviroc, did not interfere with binding to CCR5 for either inhibitor, whereas no synergy was found between mAb 45523 and maraviroc, which do compete for binding to CCR5. In addition, in contrast to a recent report, the CCR5 inhibitors tested here were found to inhibit the same stage of HIV entry. Based on the data presented here, we hypothesize that CCR5 inhibitors exert synergistic antiviral actions through a cobinding mechanism.
Ji
Changhua
C
Department of Viral Diseases, Roche Palo Alto, 3431 Hillview Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA. changhua.ji@roche.com
Zhang
Jun
J
Dioszegi
Marianna
M
Chiu
Sophie
S
Rao
Eileen
E
Derosier
Andre
A
Cammack
Nick
N
Brandt
Michael
M
Sankuratri
Surya
S
D000818:Animals; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D065100:CCR5 Receptor Antagonists; D016466:CHO Cells; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D004357:Drug Synergism; D000077560:Enfuvirtide; D015700:HIV Envelope Protein gp41 / Q000494:pharmacology; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology; D019713:Receptors, CCR5 / Q000378:metabolism
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D065100:CCR5 Receptor Antagonists; D015700:HIV Envelope Protein gp41; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D019713:Receptors, CCR5; D000077560:Enfuvirtide