| abstract |
This invention provides peptidomimetics which bind to T4 or CD4 cell receptors and are useful in inhibiting viral infectivity by viruses which bind to T4 cell receptors. More specifically, peptidomimetics of this invention can alleviate symptoms of AIDS by inhibiting binding of HIV, the virus associated with AIDS, to receptor sites in human cells susceptible to HIV infection. These peptidomimetics, in particular, inhibit binding of HIV to cells of brain membrane and the immune system. They also display substantially longer half-lives in vivo than peptide T. The compounds of this invention which bind to T4 or CD4 receptors and thereby inhibit binding of HIV, alone or in combination with one another, can be used to alleviate AIDS symptoms and ameliorate symptoms of HIV infection, especially neuronal dementias and Kaposi's sarcoma. The compounds of this invention, alone or in combination, can further be used to prevent development of AIDS in persons who might become exposed to HIV. |