Patent ID: 6333163
Filing Date: 2001-12-25
Classification: C07K,G01N

Abstract:
A method for screening a drug or other pharmacologically-active agent for its ability to block HIV-1 infection of a cell line coexpressing human leukotriene B4 receptor and CD4 on its cell surface, said method comprising:(a) identifying a cell line that coexpresses leukotriene B4 receptor and CD4 on its cell surface;(b) propagating the cell line in vitro;(c) exposing the cell line to the drug or other pharmacologically-active agent;(d) exposing the cell line to a primary virus isolate under conditions appropriate for interaction of the primary virus isolate with cell surface-expressed receptors;(e) removing or diluting the virus to a predetermined detection threshold;(f) incubating the virus exposed cells for a time sufficient for viral replication to occur;(g) assaying for virus replication or viral gene expression, and(h) optionally comparing the results of the assay for cells exposed to the drug or other pharmacologically-active agent with results of the assay for cells not exposed to the drug or other pharmacologically-active agent.