Glycan-Modified Peptides for Dual Inhibition of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Entry into Dendritic Cells and T Cells

J Med Chem. 2024 Mar 14;67(5):4225-4233. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00116. Epub 2024 Feb 16.

Abstract

Dendritic cells (DCs) play a crucial role in HIV-1 infection of CD4+ T cells. DC-SIGN, a lectin expressed on the surface of DCs, binds to the highly mannosylated viral membrane protein gp120 to capture HIV-1 virions and then transport them to target T cells. In this study, we modified peptide C34, an HIV-1 fusion inhibitor, at different sites using different sizes of the DC-SIGN-specific carbohydrates to provide dual-targeted HIV inhibition. The dual-target binding was confirmed by mechanistic studies. Pentamannose-modified C34 inhibited virus entry into both DC-SIGN+ 293T cells (52%-71% inhibition at 500 μM) and CD4+ TZM-b1 cells (EC50 = 0.7-1.7 nM). One conjugate, NC-M5, showed an extended half-life relative to C34 in rats (T1/2: 7.8 vs 1.02 h). These improvements in antiviral activity and pharmacokinetics have potential for HIV treatment and the development of dual-target inhibitors for pathogens that require the involvement of DC-SIGN for infection.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / metabolism
  • HIV Infections*
  • HIV-1* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lectins, C-Type / metabolism
  • Polysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Rats

Substances

  • Lectins, C-Type
  • Polysaccharides
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120