A broad-spectrum chemokine antagonist encoded by Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus

TN Kledal, MM Rosenkilde, F Coulin, G Simmons… - Science, 1997 - science.org
TN Kledal, MM Rosenkilde, F Coulin, G Simmons, AH Johnsen, S Alouani, CA Power
Science, 1997science.org
Kaposi's sarcoma–associated herpesvirus encodes a chemokine called vMIP-II. This protein
displayed a broader spectrum of receptor activities than any mammalian chemokine as it
bound with high affinity to a number of both CC and CXC chemokine receptors. Binding of
vMIP-II, however, was not associated with the normal, rapid mobilization of calcium from
intracellular stores; instead, it blocked calcium mobilization induced by endogenous
chemokines. In freshly isolated human monocytes the virally encoded vMIP-II acted as a …
Kaposi's sarcoma–associated herpesvirus encodes a chemokine called vMIP-II. This protein displayed a broader spectrum of receptor activities than any mammalian chemokine as it bound with high affinity to a number of both CC and CXC chemokine receptors. Binding of vMIP-II, however, was not associated with the normal, rapid mobilization of calcium from intracellular stores; instead, it blocked calcium mobilization induced by endogenous chemokines. In freshly isolated human monocytes the virally encoded vMIP-II acted as a potent and efficient antagonist of chemotaxis induced by chemokines. Because vMIP-II could inhibit cell entry of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) mediated through CCR3 and CCR5 as well as CXCR4, this protein may serve as a lead for development of broad-spectrum anti-HIV agents.
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