Inhibition of infection with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 by sulfated gangliosides.

Four kinds of gangliosides, namely GM1a, GD1a, GD1b and GT1b and their sulfated derivatives were examined for antiviral activities against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and abilities to modulate CD4 antigen on the cell surface. The infection of human T cells with the virus was markedly inhibited by treatment with the sulfated gangliosides at a concentration of 10 micrograms/ml, while the non-sulfated gangliosides had only weak antiviral activities. The sulfated gangliosides completely inhibited syncytium formation induced by HIV-1 at 30 micrograms/ml. The CD4 antigen on the surface of T cells became hardly detectable after treatment with them. They did not damage cells, nor prolong the activated partial thromboplastin time at concentrations of up to 100 micrograms/ml, suggesting that they may have little side effect in vivo.