Centro De Ingenieria Genetica Y Biotecnologia

Centro De Ingenieria Genetica Y Biotechnologia

Leonor Margarita Navea Leyva

Osvaldo Reyes Acosta

Lila Rosa Castellanos Serra

Celia Berta Fernandez Ortega

Dionne Casillas Casanova

Taimi Emelia Paneque Guerrero

Marta Dubed Echevarria

Carlos Antonio Duarte Cano

Raimundo Ubieta Gómez

Raimundo Ubieta Gomez

Viviana Falcon Cama

Viviana Falcón Cama

Anna Caridys Ramírez Suarez

Anna Caridys Ramírez Suárez

Viviana FalcÓn Cama

Marta Dubed ECHEVARRÍA

Anna Caridys Ramirez Suarez

The present invention describes a method to inhibit replication of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by negatively modulating or altering the cytoskeleton, more precisely the proteins forming the intermediate cytoskeletal filaments, wherein the the proteins are vimentin and/or keratin-10. The replication of the virus is inhibited in human cells by intervening in the structure of these proteins. The present invention is also related to the use of agents, including peptides and/or interfering RNA and/or lipidic compounds, the agents producing a negative modulation or alteration of the cytoskeleton to prevent or to treat the HIV infection.

Method for inhibiting HIV replication in mammal and human cells

The present invention describes a method to inhibit replication of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by negatively modulating or altering the cytoskeleton, more precisely the proteins forming the intermediate cytoskeletal filaments, wherein the said proteins are vimentin and/or keratin-10. The replication of the virus is inhibited in human cells by intervening in the structure of these proteins. The present invention is also related to the use of agents, which comprise peptides and/or interfering RNA and/or lipidic compounds, said agents producing a negative modulation or alteration of the cytoskeleton to prevent or to treat the HIV infection. The invention provides means and methods for altering the cytoskeleton/filament structure of cells, as a result of which the infection of human cells by HIV is disturbed and can even be completely inhibited. The cytoskeleton is altered by reducing the amount of vimentin and/or keratin (e.g. by transcriptional control using interfering RNA) or by using peptides that disrupt the cytoskeleton.

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Havana, Cuba

Leonor Margarita Navea Leyva