The levels of the proteins, p24, a core protein in HIV cells, and IL-8, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, rise proportionately with increased HIV replication, making both of them standard indicators of HIV-1 infection.
Using a chronically HIV-1 infected human cell line, researchers at the University of Colorado performed the studies for the company.
The HIV cell line was transfected with a small interfering RNA to eIF-5A1 and then levels of p24 or IL-8 were measured 72 hours later. Reduced levels of p24 and IL-8 correlate to suppressed replication of HIV-1.
“Although these results represent early stages of investigation, they are promising for two reasons. First, these proof-of-concept studies suggest that eIF-5A1 is a viable target for HIV drug discovery. Second, eIF-5A1 is a molecule made by the cell and not the virus. Therefore, the eIF-5A1 target does not mutate and an anti-HIV strategy using this target may not be hampered by resistance brought about by viral mutation,” said Dr Leland Shapiro, lead investigator at the University of Colorado.