Cytarabine treatment of human T-lymphoid cells induces decreased HIV-1 receptor expression and reduced HIV-1 susceptibility.

Continuous cultivation of T-lymphoid C8166 cells in the presence of pharmacological relevant concentration of cytarabine (Ara-C) results in significantly decreased expression of CD4 and CXCR4 molecules, the major cellular receptor and co-receptor of T-lymphotropic HIV-1 isolates. This change in receptor expression leads to decreased susceptibility of Ara-C resistant cells to HIV-1 infection demonstrated by reduced binding and penetration of HI-virus.