OBJECTIVES:

Neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) antagonists interfere with binding of neuropeptide substance P to NK1R and exhibit novel anti-HIV-1 activities. Since NK1R antagonists effectively penetrate the blood-brain barrier to reduce the inflammatory response within the brain, we wished to evaluate their potential as anti-HIV-1 candidates for targeting HIV-1 infections of the central nervous system.

DESIGN:

A series of small molecule agents were evaluated for anti-NK1R and anti-HIV-1 activity using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The most promising of these, aprepitant (Emend, Merck and Co. Inc.), was investigated for potential synergies with other antiretroviral drugs.

METHODS:

Anti-NK1R activity was tested by measuring intracellular calcium increase triggered by substance P. Anti-HIV-1 activity was evaluated by measuring p24 antigen in culture supernatants of PBMC following exposure to HIV. The concentration of drug which produced 50% reduction in intracellular calcium levels or viral production in 7-day PBMC cultures was determined. The combined effect of aprepitant with each of the major classes of anti-HIV-1 drugs was evaluated in synergy studies.

RESULTS:

Aprepitant had the highest anti-HIV-1 activity of the NK1R antagonists examined and was equally active against all major HIV-1 subtypes. Aprepitant acted synergistically with protease inhibitors (ritonavir and saquinavir), but not with nucleoside reverse transcriptase, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase, or viral entry inhibitors.

CONCLUSION:

The ability of aprepitant to penetrate the blood-brain barrier, its safety record as an FDA-approved drug for reducing nausea and vomiting in chemotherapy, and synergistic activity with other anti-HIV-1 drugs make it a promising candidate for treatment of HIV infection.