The invention relates to a method for inhibiting the replication of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by negatively modulating or altering the cytoskeleton, specifically the proteins that form part of the cytoskeletal intermediate filaments, and more specifically the proteins vimentin and/or keratin-10. Intervening in the structure of said proteins inhibits replication of the virus in human cells. The invention likewise relates to the use of agents, which include peptides and/or interfering RNA and/or lipid compounds, and negatively modulates or alters the cell cytoskeleton, in order to prevent or treat HIV infection. The invention provides the means and methods for altering the structure of the cell cytoskeleton/filament, which disrupts the HIV infection in human cells； the virus can even be completely inhibited. The cytoskeleton is altered by reducing the amount of vimentin and/or keratin-10 (for example, by interfering RNA transcription control) or by using peptides that alter the cytoskeleton.
