A Broad-Spectrum Chemokine Antagonist Encoded by Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus

• DOI: 10.1126/science.277.5332.1656
• Publication Date: 2002-07-27T09:50:14Z
• Authors: Thomas N. Kledal; Mette M. Rosenkilde; Florence Coulin; Graham Simmons; Anders H. Johnsen; Sami Alouani; Christine A. Power; Hans R. Lüttichau; Jan Gerstoft; Paul R. Clapham; Ian Clark-Lewis; Timothy N. C. Wells; Thue W. Schwartz
• Keywords: CCR3; CXC chemokine receptors; XCL2; CC chemokine receptors; CCR1; CCR10; CCL21; CXCL14; Broad spectrum; CCR5 receptor antagonist

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