title: Evaluation of the anti-HIV activity of natalizumab,  an antibody against integrin alpha4.
abstract: The alpha4beta7 integrin has been shown to serve as a coreceptor for HIV. One anti-alpha4 integrin agent (natalizumab) has been approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and Crohn's disease. We found that activation of CD4+ T cells with retinoic acid induced the upregulation of alpha4 and beta7 integrins. However, natalizumab failed to block the replication of HIV-1 strains in lymphoid MT-4 cells or CD4+ T cells at concentrations up to 125microg/ml. Our results suggest that alpha4 integrins are not essential cofactors for HIV replication.
authors.affiliation: Retrovirology Laboratory IrsiCaixa, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Spain.
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pauls
authors.forename: Ester
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ballana
authors.forename: Gemma
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Moncunill
authors.forename: Margarida
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bofill
authors.forename: Bonaventura
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Clotet
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ramo-Tello
authors.forename: José A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Esté
mesh_terms: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000821:virology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D039441:Integrin alpha4 / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D000069442:Natalizumab; D020298:U937 Cells; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000069442:Natalizumab; D039441:Integrin alpha4