Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital of the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität, Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany.
Epidemiological studies have revealed an association between GB virus C (GBV-C) long-term viraemia and ameliorated HIV disease progression. We have provided evidence that a single protein of GBV-C, the glycoprotein E2, interferes with early HIV replication steps of both X4- and R5-tropic HIV strains. Preincubation with anti-E2 antibody specifically abrogates the inhibitory effect. Results were confirmed by the in-vitro expression of GBV-C E1/E2 encoding RNA.