Objective-The transactivating factor (Tat) of HIV-1 binds to ␣ v  3 integrin present on endothelial cells contributing to neovascularization. Here, we investigated the biological consequences of Tat/␣ v  3 interaction and the antagonist effect of an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-based peptidomimetic. Methods and Results-Binding of Tat to endothelial ␣ v  3 triggers focal adhesion kinase and nuclear factor-B activation, leading to endothelial cell proliferation, membrane ruffling, and motility in vitro and neovascularization in vivo. The RGD-peptidomimetic SCH221153 inhibits Tat/␣ v  3 interaction in a solid phase binding assay and endothelial cell adhesion to immobilized Tat with a potency higher than that of RGD-containing peptides. Accordingly, SCH221153 inhibits Tat/␣ v  3 -dependent focal adhesion kinase and nuclear factor-B activation, proliferation, membrane ruffling, and motility in endothelial cells. Finally, SCH221153 inhibits the angiogenic response triggered by Tat in the chick-embryo chorioallantoic membrane without affecting physiological vascularization. SCH221153 exerts these inhibitory effects without affecting the interaction of Tat with endothelial heparan sulfate proteoglycans or with the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2/kinase domain-containing receptor. In all the assays the negative control SCH216687 was ineffective. Conclusion-These data provide new insights on the mechanism of endothelial cell activation by Tat and point to RGD peptidomimetics as prototypes for the development of novel Tat Key Words: HIV-1 Ⅲ Tat Ⅲ endothelium Ⅲ integrin Ⅲ angiogenesis T at protein, the main transactivating factor of HIV-1, 1 is released by HIV-1-infected cells 2 targeting different types of uninfected cells and causing a variety of biological effects related to distinct AIDS-associated pathologies. In AIDS patients, Tat contributes to tumorigenesis, 2 to the pathogenesis of dementia, 3 to the immune system suppression (by interfering with the function of different cells of immunity), 2 and to heart disease and atherosclerosis. 4 The involvement of endothelial cells (ECs) in Tatdependent pathologies is manifold. 5 By inducing neovascularization, Tat contributes to tumor progression and Kaposi sarcoma (KS) development. 2 Also, Tat increases endothelial permeability and alters the expression of endothelial leukocyte receptors, leading to the extravasation of HIV-1ϩ monocytes and HIV-1 dissemination. These effects, in turn, contribute to the pathogenesis of lymphomas, AIDSdementia, 5 cardiovascular diseases, and atherosclerosis. 6 A decrease in endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation and endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression may also play a role in endothelial dysfunctions mediated by Tat. 7 On these bases, Tat is considered a main target for the development of anti-AIDS therapies, and different anti-Tat strategies have been described, including gene therapies, vaccines, and Tat antagonists. 8 Tat accumulates in the extracellular matrix as an immobilized protein, 9 and substrate-immobilized Tat int...