Effects of HIV aspartyl-proteinase inhibitors on Leishmania sp.
Exp Parasitol
; 126(4): 557-63, 2010 Dec.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-20566367
ABSTRACT
In this work, we have found an antiproliferative effect on Leishmania sp. promastigotes and axenic amastigotes by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) aspartyl-proteinase inhibitors, Ac-Leu-Val-Phenylalaninal, Saquinavir mesylate and Nelfinavir, the latter two being used as part of antiretroviral therapy. This effect appears to be the result of cell division blockage. In addition, these drugs induced in culture a decrease in the percentage of co-infected HIV/Leishmania monocytes and amastigotes of Leishmania per macrophage. The finding of a dose-dependent inhibition of Leishmania promastigotes aspartyl-proteinase activity by these drugs allows us to propose this activity as the drug parasite target. A direct action of these HIV aspartyl-proteinase inhibitors on the parasite, would be correlated with the effect that highly active antiretroviral therapy have had in the decrease of HIV/Leishmania coinfection, opening an interesting perspective for new drugs research development based on this novel parasite proteinase family.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Leishmania mexicana
/
Inibidores da Protease de HIV
/
Leishmania infantum
/
Ácido Aspártico Proteases
Limite:
Animals
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2010
Tipo de documento:
Article