NU 2013-216

Inventors

Gary Schiltz*

Chisu Song

Richard D'Aquila

Short Description

Novel small molecule that boosts the innate immune response against viral infection 

Abstract

Northwestern researchers have identified a lead compound that can be further developed into a drug for boosting the immune response to HIV and other viral infections. One way that human cells respond to infection by HIV is to deploy several proteins to interfere with viral replication. A3G and A3F are two such proteins, but HIV virus has evolved an attack mechanism that can degrade them rendering cells more vulnerable to infection. Dr. Schiltz and colleagues have identified a compound that can stimulate A3G levels in cells, which provides cells with increased protection against infection. This compound could also be potentially used to develop topical agents for prevention of HIV acquisition across the mucosal membranes or systemic therapies that would limit establishment of latent reservoirs.

Applications

• Research reagent for studying effects of A3G and A3F against HIV and other viruses
• Rational drug design

Advantages

• First well-validated compound known to boost A3G

IP Status

Issued US Patent No. 9,688,637