Tin Protoporphyrin IX Used in Control of Heme Metabolism in Humans Effectively Inhibits HIV-1 Infection

Abstract

Recent observations indicated that several porphyrins bound to the V3 loop of the envelope glycoprotein gp120 of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and inhibited infection of cells by HIV-1. The tin derivative of protoporphyrin IX (Sn-PTP-IX) has already been used clinically in humans to suppress hyperbilirubinemia. It was therefore of interest to determine whether Sn-PTP-IX has anti-HIV-1 activity. It is demonstrated here that Sn-PTP-IX effectively inhibited infection by several HIV-1 isolates (HIB, MN, RF, SF-2 and two isolates resistant to azidothymidine). This was surprising, since earlier studies indicated that incorporation of other metals into porphyrins markedly decreased their antiviral activity. Sn-PTP-IX blocked the binding to gp120 of anti-V3-loop-specific antibodies and of monoclonal antibodies specific for the CD4 binding site on gp120. The latter effect appeared to be allosteric and was not observed with a deletion mutant of gp 120 lacking the V3 loop sequence. This suggests that Sn-PTP-IX binds to the V3 loop and distorts the native conformation of the HIV-1 envelope, thereby preventing infection. These results merit the consideration of Sn-PTP-IX as a prophylactic and chemotherapeutic agent against HIV-1.