Penny Baron

Inactivation of human immunodeficiency virus in vitro by gossypol

Gossypol, a polyphenolic aldehyde extracted from cottonseed, is a male anti-fertility agent which has been reported to have anti-viral activity. In this paper we report that gossypol inactivates human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in an in vitro system. Following exposure of cell-free incubates of HIV to 100 uM gossypol, ultracentrifugation and inoculation of the washed pellet onto H9 cells, there is no evidence of elevated reverse transcriptase activity over 21 days. Treatment with lower concentrations of gossypol reduces the peak and lengthens the time to maximal reverse transcriptase activity compared with control cultures. These observations suggest that gossypol could be used as a vaginal spermicidal/virucidal agent. The mechanism of the in vitro anti-viral action as well as the effect of orally administered gossypol on the infectivity of semen of HIV-seropositive men warrant further study.

5′-Hydrogenphosphonates and 5′-Methylphosphonates of Sugar Modified Pyrimidine Nucleosides as Potential Anti-HIV-1 Agents.1

Abstract A number of nucleoside 5′-hydrogerphosphonates and nucleoside 5′-methylphosphonates were prepared, to study their ability to inhibit replication of HIV-1. Two compounds, the 5′-hydrogenphosphonate of 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine (AZT-HP, IVc) and of 3′-deoxy-3′-fluorothymidine (FLT-HP, IVa), exhibit potent anti-HIV-1 activity with selectivity indices similar to or better than those of their parent nucleosides.

Synthesis and antiviral activity of some fluorinated nucleotide derivatives

Abstract A number of 3′-fluoro-3′-deoxythymidine 5′-phosphonates and nucleoside 5′-phosphorofluoridates were prepared to study their ability to inhibit replication of HIV-1. Compounds, the 5′-phosphorofluoridates of 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine (VIIIc), 3′-fluoro-3′-deoxythymidine (VIIId) and 3′-deoxy-2′,3′-didehydrothymidine (VIIIe), exhibit potent anti-HIV-1 activities.

5′-Phosphonates of Ribonucleosides and 2′-Deoxyribonucleosides: Synthesis and Antiviral Activity

Abstract 5′-Phosphonates of natural 2′-deoxynucleosides and ribonucleosides were synthesized by condensation of 3′-O-acylated 2′-deoxynucleosides or 2′,3′-substituted (2′,3′-O-isopropylidene, 2′,3′-O-methoxymethylene or 2′,3′-O-ethoxymethylene) ribonucleosides. As condensing agents, either N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide or 2,4,6-triisopropylbenzenesulphonyl chloride were used. Nucleoside 5′-ethoxycarbonylphosphonates were converted into corresponding nucleoside 5′-aminocarbonylphosphonates by action of ammonia in methanol or aqueous ammonia. 5′-Hydrogenphosphonothioates of thymidine and 3′-deoxythymidine were obtained by reaction of phosphinic acid in the presence of pivaloyl chloride with 3′-O-acetylthymidine or 3′-deoxythymidine, respectively, followed by addition of powedered sulfur. 5′-O-methylenephosphonates of thymidine and 2′-deoxyadenosine were prepared by intramolecular reaction of corresponding 3′-O-iodomethylphosphonates under basic conditions. All compounds were tested for inhibition of several...

Virologic, immunologic, and clinical evaluation of human immunodeficiency virus antibody status of symptom-free children born to infected mothers

STUDY OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in a population of symptom-free children who were born to HIV-infected mothers and who subsequently underwent seroreversion from an HIV antibody-positive to an HIV antibody-negative status. DESIGN Cohort. SETTING Pediatric HIV program in a community setting. PATIENTS We used HIV DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and coculture to detect the presence or absence of HIV in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 134 children aged 6 to 53 months. All children had HIV antibody at birth and underwent a subsequent seroreversion to antibody-negative status. RESULTS In 134 children with HIV antibody-negative status, 219 of 220 culture results and 242 of 247 HIV-1 DNA PCR assay results were negative. Six positive laboratory results were obtained for six different children, each of whom had negative results on multiple assays. For HIV-infected children, 56 of 62 cultures and 99 of 104 PCR evaluations showed positive results. There was no clinical or laboratory evidence of HIV infection in the group with HIV antibody-negative status. CONCLUSION We were unable to find evidence of latent HIV type 1 infection in this cohort of symptom-free children who underwent seroreversion to HIV antibody-negative status. The loss of maternal HIV antibody in these children indicates the absence of HIV infection. False-positive PCR and culture results occurred sporadically, indicating that repeated analysis of HIV seropositivity in infants and children is necessary.

An ELISA-inhibition assay for antibody to human immunodeficiency virus core antigen (p24)

An ELISA-inhibition assay based on commercially available HIV-1 p24 antigen tests was developed for detecting p24 antibodies. The test is specific and simple. p24 antibody was detectable in all p24 antigen negative Western blot positive sera, but was detectable infrequently in antigen positive sera. Sera from patients with indeterminate HIV-1 reactions (individuals without evidence of HIV-1 infection who nevertheless had p24 antibody) were p24 antigen negative and p24 antibody negative in the ELISA-inhibition reaction.