Method for preventing hiv-1 infection of cd4+ cells

Abstract

This invention provides methods for inhibiting fusion of HIV-1 to CD4 + cells, comprising contacting CD4 + cells with a non-chemokine agent capable of binding to a chemokine receptor in an amount and under conditions such that fusion of HIV-1 to CD4 + cells is inhibited. Also provided are methods for inhibiting HIV-1 infection of CD4 + cells, comprising contacting CD4 + cells with a non-chemokine agent capable of binding to a chemokine receptor in an amount and under conditions such that fusion of HIV-1 to CD4 + cells is inhibited, thereby inhibiting the HIV-1 infection. This invention provides non-chemokine agents capable of binding to the chemokine receptor and inhibiting fusion of HIV-1 to CD4 + cells and pharmaceutical compositions comprising an amount of the non-chemokine agent capable of binding to the chemokine receptor and inhibiting fusion of HIV-1 to CD4 + cells effective to prevent fusion of HIV-1 to CD4 + cells and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

1 - 60 . (canceled) 
     
     
         61 . A CCR5 chemokine receptor antagonist which (a) binds to a CCR5 chemokine receptor on the surface of a CCR5+ CD4+ human cell; (b) inhibits fusion of HIV-1 JR-FL  with a PM-1 cell; (c) does not inhibit fusion of HIV-1 BUR  with a PM-1 cell; (d) does not activate an inflammatory response upon binding to the CCR5 chemokine receptor on the surface of the CCR5+ CD4+ cell; (e) competes with RANTES, MIP-1α and MIP-1β for binding to the CCR5 chemokine receptor on the surface of the CCR5+, CD4+ cell; and (f) inhibits binding of HIV-1 JR-FL  gp120 to the CCR5+, CD4+ cell.