On the basis of reports demonstrating possible roles for leukocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), the ligand for LFA-1, in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection, we have explored the involvement of the ICAM-1 molecule by using selected synthetic peptides derived from the protein sequence. Replication was assessed in MT-2 cells, highly susceptible to HIV infection, in the presence of four synthetic peptides derived from the ICAM-1 amino acid sequence. This cell type was chosen for the ability to form marked syncytia on infection with cell-free virus. Under the conditions used, minimal or no cytotoxicity was observed with the peptides up to concentrations of 50 micrograms/ml. A peptide corresponding to a unique region of ICAM-1, JF9 [ICAM-1(367-394, A-378)], had little effect on virus replication despite its ability to inhibit cell-cell adhesion. In contrast, an N-terminal peptide, JF7B [ICAM-1(1-23)], consistently inhibited virus replication in MT-2 cells in a dose-dependent manner, as measured by cell-free reverse transcriptase (RT) activity (up to 70% inhibition), soluble virus antigen production (up to 60% inhibition), and syncytium formation (virtually complete inhibition up to 6 days post infection). Testing of W-CAM-1 antibody, and anti-ICAM-1 antibody that inhibits cell-cell adhesion, revealed no significant inhibitory effects on RT activity, virus antigen production, and syncytium formation in HIV-1-infected MT-2 cells at a level that markedly inhibited cell-cell adhesion (10 micrograms/ml).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)