Chemokine (C-C Motif) Receptor 5 Entry Inhibitors: New Class of Drugs for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

摘要

Recently, a new anti-acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) drug called maraviroc was shown to be effective against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in patients who did not respond well to other antiretroviral therapies. Maraviroc represents a novel class of drugs called chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 5 (CCR5) entry inhibitors. Unlike other antiretrovirals currently in use, it targets a human cell surface protein to which HIV attaches. If it is approved by the Food and Drug Administration, maraviroc would be the first drug against AIDS that targets the human host cell rather than the virus itself. HIV infection commences with the binding of viral envelope proteins to CD-4 receptors on a host immune cell. Although CD-4 binding is required, it is not sufficient in itself for HIV infection. In order to gain entry into the cell, HIV must also bind a host coreceptor, either CCR5 or chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4). Interactions between HIV envelope proteins and host cell receptors trigger the fusion of the viral lipid membrane with that of the host cell.