Acyclic nucleoside phosphonates (ANPs) are potent antiviral agents effective against replication of DNA viruses and retroviruses including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Prototype compound 9-(R)-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]adenine (tenofovir) is a principal component of drugs widely used in the treatment of HIV infection (Viread, Truvada).
Besides their antimetabolic mode of action, ANPs possess immunomodulatory properties. A number of them have been previously found to stimulate secretion of cytokines and anti-HIV effective chemokines.
In the present pilot experiments we analysed the in vitro effects of ANPs on the expression of chemokine receptors CCR5 and CXCR4 that are co-receptors of HIV-1 entry in cells. The impact of ANPs was investigated at the level of gene transcription of mRNA in mouse lymphocytes and macrophages using the RT-PCR method.
The following compounds were included in the study: 9-(R)-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]adenine (tenofovir), N-6-cyclopropyl-(R)-9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)-propyl]2,6-diaminopurine, N-6-cyclopentyl-(R)-9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]2,6-diaminopurine, N-6-dimethylaminoethyl-(R)-9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]2,6-diaminopuri ne, N-6-cyclopentyl-9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl]2,6-diaminopurine, N-6-isobutyl-9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl]2,6-diaminopurine. Gene transcription of chemokine receptors CCR5 and CXCR4 was not affected after application of these acyclic nucleoside phosphonate antivirals.