INHIBITION OF VISNA VIRUS-REPLICATION AND CYTOPATHIC EFFECT IN SHEEP CHOROID-PLEXUS CELL-CULTURES BY SELECTED ANTI-HIV AGENTS

Several anti-HIV agents were tested against visna virus replication an d cytopathic effect (CPE) in sheep choroid plexus cell cultures. Sulph ated polysaccharides (i.e., dextran sulphate, pentosan polysulphate an d heparin) and plant lectins, which inhibit viral adsorption and fusio n, were found to be 10- to 40-fold less active against visna virus tha n against HIV. Bicyclam derivatives were at least 250-fold less active against visna virus and the highly HIV-1 specific TIBO derivatives we re without a significant inhibitory effect on visna virus at subtoxic concentrations. In contrast, several 2',3'-dideoxynucleosides and acyc lic nucleoside phosphonate analogues, which inhibit reverse transcript ion, were found to be very effective inhibitors of visna virus replica tion and viral CPE in cell culture.