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Updated: Oct 10, 2026

A High-throughput Cre-Lox Activated Viral Membrane Fusion Assay to Identify Inhibitors of HIV-1 Viral Membrane Fusion
Published on: August 14, 2018
In vitro inhibition of HIV-1 by Met-SDF-1beta alone or in combination with antiretroviral drugs
S Rusconi1, D P Merrill, S La Seta Catamancio
1Infectious Disease Division, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA. rusconi@mailserver.unimi.it
Abstract:
Compounds that can block the CXCR4 chemokine receptor are a promising new class of antiretroviral agents. In these experiments we studied the effect of a modified form of the native stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), Met-SDF-1beta. The in vitro susceptibility of two different CXCR4-tropic HIV-1 strains was determined. Antiviral effect was assessed by the reduction of p24 antigen production in PHA-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells with exposure to the modified SDF-1 molecule. The 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50) were derived from six separate experiments. The IC50 against the two HIV-1 isolates was in 1.0-2.8 microg/ml range for Met-SDF-1beta. Met-SDF-1beta showed synergy to additivity with either zidovudine or nelfinavir at IC75 IC90 and IC95. Additivity was seen when Met-SDF-1beta was combined with efavirenz. No cellular toxicity was observed at the highest concentrations when these agents were used either singly or in combination. This compound is a promising new candidate in a receptor-based approach to HIV-1 infection in conjunction with currently available combination antiretroviral drug therapies.
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