简介

We study how HIV-1 uses its envelope glycoproteins to attach to, then fuse with, target cells, which are predominantly CD4-positive T-cells, macrophages and dendritic cells. Central to these early events in the viral life cycle is the involvement of the CCR5 and CXCR4 co-receptors. These proteins, whose natural function is G-protein coupled chemokine receptors, are targets for the development of new antiviral agents, particularly conventional small molecules. We are studying virus-CCR5 interactions and how small molecule inhibitors interfere with these events, and we are characterizing how the virus becomes resistant to these inhibitors by acquiring escape mutations. HIV-1 attachment and entry is also the stage at which the humoral immune response