VMIP-II PEPTIDE ANTAGONISTS OF CXCR4

摘要

The viral Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-II (vMIP-II) is a chemokine that interact with the CC and CXC chemokine receptors, including the CCR5 and CXC R4 chemokine receptors. CCR5 and CXCR4 are the principal coreceptors required f or cell entry of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). The present invention describes a peptide fragment of the vMIP-II that prevents the HIV- 1 virus from interacting with the coreceptors CXCR4, thereby preventing viral infection of that cell. These peptide fragments will serve as lead compounds for the development of therapeutics agents against HIV-1 infections.