Coinfection alters the playing field: herpesviruses induce acyclovir to inhibit HIV.
The antiherpes drug acyclovir was found to inhibit HIV following its phosphorylation by human herpesviruses, providing a hypothesis to explain the observed beneficial effects of acyclovir therapy on HIV viral load and HIV disease progression. This report underscores the importance of studying HIV in the context of microbial copathogens.
Stapleton
Jack T
JT
Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Iowa and Iowa City VA Medical Center, SW54, GH, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. jack-stapleton@uiowa.edu
Balfour
Henry H
HH
D000212:Acyclovir / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000187:drug effects*; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011355:Prodrugs / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D011355:Prodrugs; D000212:Acyclovir