Method of inhibiting viral infection using HMG-COA reductase inhibitors and isoprenylation inhibitors

摘要

Applicants provide methods of inhibiting viral infections, and treating an infected individual with AIDS, respiratory syncytial virus infection, parainfluenza virus infection, and other viral infections. Inhibitors of Rho isoprenylation are used to inhibit Rho cell surface attachment, thereby inhibiting the use, by viruses, of Rho as a receptor for infection of susceptible cells. Isoprenylation inhibitors include inhibitors specific for the enzymes farnesyltransferase and geranylgeranyltranferase, as well as inhibitors of general cholesterol biosynthesis, such as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.