INHIBITION OF PROLIFERATION OF HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS TYPE-1 BY NOVEL HETEROPOLYOXOTUNGSTATES INVITRO

Fifteen heteropolyoxotungstates were tested for their effects on the proliferation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) using an in vitro system consisting of MT-4 cells and HTLV-III(b). Eight heteropolyoxotungstates (HPOTs) with the Keggin structure or dimerized deficient Keggin structure proved to be potent inhibitors of HIV-1. In contrast, seven non-Keggin HPOTs including HPA 23 did not have significant effects on HIV-1 proliferation at non-toxic doses. [PTi2W10O40]7-(PM-19) was the most potent inhibitor of HIV-1 among the 15 HPOTs tested. The inhibition of HIV-1 replication by PM-19 presumably results from impaired virus adsorption and/or penetration into target cells. Viral spread of HIV-1 and HIV-2 on cell-to-cell basis was also susceptible to PM-19. In combination, PM-19 and 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine were synergistic in inhibiting HIV-1 proliferation.