Figure 6.
Cationic supramolecular assemblies enhance HIV-1 infection through a mechanism similar to SEVI. (A and B) CEMx M7 cells were pretreated with increasing concentrations of K4(FKFE)2 (A) or Surfen (B) for 30 min before being infected with HIV-1 in the presence of SEVI (10 μM) or K4(FKFE)2 (2 μM). At 48 h post-infection, cells were harvested and luciferase expression measured as a readout of HIV-1 infection. Results represent mean values from three experimental replicates; error bars denote the standard deviation of these values. The results shown are representative of three independent experiments performed with a range of pretreatment concentrations, all yielding similar results. (C) CEMx M7 cells were pretreated with a high concentration of K4(FKFE)2 (30 μM) or Surfen (30 μM) for 30 min being infected with HIV-1 alone, in the absence of any enhancing agent. At 48 h post-infection, cells were harvested and luciferase expression measured as a readout of HIV-1 infection. Results represent mean values from three experimental replicates; error bars denote the standard deviation of these values.