Therefore, since an NHR-targeting inhibitor can bind to the exposed NHR after gp120-targeting inhibitor binds to gp120, we might logically conclude that the combinatorial use of a gp120-binding protein and a gp41-binding antibody may have synergistic effect on inhibition of HIV-1 infection and inactivation of cell-free virions. This evidence concerns the gene ITIH4 and HIV-1 infection.