| abstract |
The present invention is directed to new bifunctional compounds and methods for treating HIV infections. The bifunctional small molecules, generally referred to as ARM- HI's, function through orthogonal pathways, by inhibiting the gpl20-CD4 interaction, and by recruiting anti-DNP antibodies to gpl20-expressing cells, thereby preventing cell infection and spread of HIV. It has been shown that ARM-HI's bind to gpl20 and gp-120 expressing cells competitively with CD4, thereby decreasing viral infectivity as shown by an MT-2 cell assay, the binding leading to formation of a ternary complex by recruiting anti-DNP antibodies to bind thereto, the antibodies present in the ternary complex promoting the complement-dependent destruction of the gpl20-expressing cells. Compounds and methods are described herein. |