Selective elimination of HIV-1-infected cells with an interleukin-2 receptor-specific cytotoxin |
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| Authors: | R W Finberg S M Wahl J B Allen G Soman T B Strom J R Murphy J C Nichols |
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| Institution: | Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA. |
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| Abstract: | Infection by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is associated with cellular activation and expression of the interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor. A genetically engineered fusion toxin, DAB486 IL-2, that contains the enzymatic site and translocation domain of diphtheria toxin and the receptor binding domain of IL-2 specifically kills cells that express high-affinity IL-2 receptors. This toxin selectively eliminated the HIV-1-infected cells from mixed cultures of infected and uninfected cells and inhibited production of viral proteins and infectious virus. Thus, cellular activation antigens present a target for early antiviral intervention. |
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