THERAPEUTIC COMPOSITIONS; METHODS FOR TREATMENT OF HIV INFECTIONS

摘要

Disclosed are methods and compositions for the treatment of HIV infections through the specific elimination of cells which express HIV env determinants such as gp120. The compositions of the invention include toxin conjugates composed of a CD4 derived gp120 binding ligand conjugated to a toxin A chain moiety such as ricin A chain or deglycosylated ricin A chain. Where a therapeutic composition is desired, the conjugates are formed by means of a cross linker which includes a disulfide bond. Disulfide linkages are not crucial where non-therapeutic uses, such as antibody generation, are intended. In preferred aspects of the invention, therapeutic amounts of conjugates composed of soluble CD4 or a CD4 peptide cross-linked to deglycosylated A chain by means of an SMPT linker is administered to a HIV infected patient so as to specifically eliminate HIV infected cells without exerting significant toxicity against uninfected or class II cells.