MODELS FOR STUDYING THE EFFECT OF MEMBRAN OTROPIC DRUGS ON HIV-1 MORPHOGENESIS AND PRODUCTION

The anti-viral effect against HIU-1 of membranotropic drugs was assaye d using HIU-1 recombinant system. The system represents CU-1 cells inf ected with recombinant vaccinia virus with an inserted HIU-1 gag gene. The infected cells produce recombinant virus-like particles. The effe ct of antiviral drugs was checked by counting radioactivity in purifie d virus-like particles produced by S-35!methionine labeled cells. Usi ng this system, the inhibitory effect of polymeric rimantadine on the production of virus-like particles was shown. By contrast, amantadine hydrochloride stimulated virus production. The results obtained in thi s model system and in HIU-infected lymphoblastoid cell lines coincided though some side effects were observed in the recombinant system.