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Updated: May 13, 2026
In vitro Uncoating of HIV-1 Cores
Published on: November 8, 2011
Reducing infectivity of HIV upon exposure to surfaces coated with N,N-dodecyl, methyl-polyethylenimine
Stephen E Gerrard1, Alyssa M Larson, Alexander M Klibanov
1Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, BioScience Engineering Research Group, University of Cambridge, New Museums Site, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3RA, UK. stephen.gerrard@cantab.net
Abstract:
The infectivity of high-titer, cell-free HIV in culture media and human milk is rapidly reduced upon exposure to polyethylene slides painted with the linear hydrophobic polycation N,N-dodecyl,methyl-polyethylenimine (DMPEI). Accompanying viral p24 protein and free viral RNA analysis of solutions exposed to DMPEI-coated surfaces suggests that virion attachment to the polycationic surface and its subsequent inactivation are the likely mechanism of this phenomenon.
