Abstract |
Sulphoevernan is a sulphated alpha-1----3, 1----4 polyglucan (Mr 20,000) with a helical structure. This compound effectively inhibits both human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and type 2 infection of cells in vitro at concentrations around 0.5 micrograms/ml. Moreover, the compound completely inhibits HIV-1-induced syncytium formation at a concentration of 1 microgram/ml. Competition experiments with 35S-labelled sulphoevernan revealed that the mannose-specific lectin from Narcissus pseudonarcissus prevented binding of sulphoevernan to HIV-1, whereas the antibody OKT4A did not reduce the amount of sulphoevernan bound to MT-2 cells. These data indicate that the non-cytotoxic polymer sulphoevernan binds to the virus rather than to the host cell. In vivo studies, using Rauscher leukaemia virus in NMRI mice, revealed that, at a daily dose of 20 mg/kg, the animals were protected against virus-induced increases in spleen weight. From these in vitro and in vivo data we conclude that sulphoevernan has potential in the treatment of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
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Authors | B E Weiler, H C Schröder, V Stefanovich, D Stewart, J M Forrest, L B Allen, B J Bowden, M H Kreuter, R Voth, W E Müller |
Journal | The Journal of general virology
(J Gen Virol)
Vol. 71 ( Pt 9)
Pg. 1957-63
(Sep 1990)
ISSN: 0022-1317 [Print] England |
PMID | 2212988
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Antiviral Agents
- Glucans
- Lectins
- Plant Lectins
- Polysaccharides
- Viral Envelope Proteins
- narcissus lectin
- Zidovudine
- sulfoevernan
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Topics |
- Antiviral Agents
(pharmacology)
- Cell Division
(drug effects)
- Cell Line
- Glucans
- HIV-1
(drug effects, physiology)
- HIV-2
(drug effects, physiology)
- Humans
- Lectins
(metabolism, pharmacology)
- Plant Lectins
- Polysaccharides
(metabolism, pharmacology)
- Protein Binding
- Viral Envelope Proteins
(metabolism)
- Zidovudine
(pharmacology)
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