Method of modulating ion channel functional activity

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a method of retarding, reducing or otherwise inhibiting viral functional activity and, more particularly, to a method of reducing, retarding or otherwise inhibiting viral functional activity by down-regulating Vpu ion channel functional activity. Even more particularly, the present invention provides a method of treating HIV infection or AIDS by inhibiting Vpu ion channel mediated HIV replication.

1 - 5 . (canceled)  
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 50 , wherein said agent is an amiloride analogue or functional equivalent thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein said amiloride analogue comprises a substitution of the amino group at the 5-position of the pyrazine ring or functional equivalent thereof.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein said amiloride analogue is HMA or functional equivalent thereof.  
     
     
         9 . (canceled)  
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein said amiloride analogue is DMA or functional equivalent thereof.  
     
     
         11 - 43 . (canceled)  
     
     
         44 . A pharmaceutical composition for use in reducing, retarding or otherwise inhibiting Vpu ion channel functional activity said composition comprising an agent as defined in accordance with  claim 50  and one or more pharmaceutical acceptable carriers and/or diluents.  
     
     
         45 . The pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 44 , wherein said agent is an amiloride analogue or functional equivalent thereof.  
     
     
         46 . The pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 45 , wherein said amiloride analogue is HMA or functional equivalent thereof.  
     
     
         47 . The pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 46 , wherein said HMA comprises the structure:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         48 . The pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 44 , wherein said said amiloride analogue is DMA or functional equivalent thereof.  
     
     
         49 . The pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 48 , wherein said DMA comprises the structure:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         50 . A method of reducing, retarding or otherwise inhibiting the functional activity of HIV, which HIV has infected a mammalian host cell, said method comprising administering to said mammal an effective amount of HMA or DMA for a time and under conditions sufficient to reduce, retard or otherwise inhibit the functional activity of HIV in said host cell.  
     
     
         51 . The method according to  claim 50 , wherein said HIV functional activity is HIV replication.  
     
     
         52 . The method according to  claim 51 , wherein said host cell is a macrophage.  
     
     
         53 . The method according to  claim 51 , wherein said host cell is a monocyte.  
     
     
         54 . The method according to  claim 50 , wherein said HMA comprises the structure:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         55 . The method according to  claim 50 , wherein said DMA comprises the structure:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         56 . A method for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of HIV infection or AIDS in a mammal, said method comprising administering to said mammal an effective amount of HMA or DMA.  
     
     
         57 . The method according to  claim 56 , wherein said HMA comprises the structure:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         58 . The method according to  claim 56 , wherein said DMA comprises the structure:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         59 . An oral antiviral composition for use in reducing, retarding or otherwise inhibiting Vpu ion channel functional activity, said composition comprising an effective amount of HMA or DMA and one or more pharmaceutical acceptable carriers and/or diluents, wherein the composition has an antiviral effect.  
     
     
         60 . The oral antiviral composition of  claim 59 , wherein said HMA comprises the structure:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         61 . The oral antiviral composition of  claim 59 , wherein said DMA comprises the structure: