Vangelista, L, Secchi, M, Liu, X, Bachi, A, Xu, Q, Lusso, P. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2010 Jul;54(7):2994-3001. doi: 10.1128/AAC.01492-09. Epub 2010 May 17.
Synopsis: Proof of concept for the use of Lactobacillus jensenii-produced C1C5 RANTES to block HIV-1 infection of CD4(+) T cells and macrophages. This paper sets the basis for the development of a live anti-HIV-1 microbicide that targets CCR5 (the HIV-1 co-receptor). The chemokine-like molecule C1C5 RANTES (see explanation below) binds to T-cells using the co-receptor CCR5. This binding prevents virus entry into the T-cell. Osel’s engineered live biotherapeutic produced C1C5 RANTES that successfully blocked the HIV-1 co-receptor CCR5 and prevented HIV-1 infection in vitro.