Chapter category: Viruses
Biomedical Implications
HIV and Membrane Receptors
Edited by: Dimiter Dimitrov, Christopher Broder and Garry LynchISBN: 1-57059-464-3
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Chapter authors:
Dimitrov, Dimiter S., Christopher C. Broder
In spite of the high efficiency of the protease inhibitors, especially in combination with reverse transcriptase inhibitors, drug resistance and toxicity are of major concern and new drugs are needed to supplement the existing ones or be used as novel therapies. The identification of the HIV-1 coreceptor molecules offers a new target for development of such therapeutics. In addition, it may also suggest new opportunities for vaccine development. Unlike the recent successes in drug development, the development of vaccines is still far behind expectations and without clear indications for progress in the near future. This chapter explores the opportunities provided by the new discoveries and attempts to present a realistic picture of their potential. We begin with a description of experimental data for inhibition of viral entry by antiviral agents and the lessons which were learned and could be applied to the new story of the HIV-1 coreceptors. Then we describe recent data on inhibitory activity of agents targeting the coreceptor molecules, including their natural ligands, and discuss the potential for developing drugs. The next section is devoted to the potential of receptor molecules for development of vaccines; it is mostly speculative, and describes several possibilities including complexes of coreceptors with receptor-gp120-gp41 molecules which may expose important conserved and highly immunogenic epitopes and stimulation of chemokine production. The final section is entirely speculative (i.e., there are no published experimental data demonstrating feasibility) and suggests possible implications of the coreceptors for developing very specific gene and drug delivery systems which can be used not only for treatment of AIDS but also against cancer and other diseases.
Additional chapters from this book:
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