PGC-1α基因在HIV-1包膜糖蛋白gp120诱导神经元线粒体功能障碍中的作用及机制研究

人类免疫缺陷病毒(Human immunodeficiency viru,HIV)包膜糖蛋白gp120具有神经毒性,可引起神经元损伤,与HIV相关性痴呆的发生有关,但gp120引起神经元损伤的机制尚不清楚.有研究报道gp120能够引起神经元出现线粒体功能障碍,而PGC-1α是促进神经元内线粒体生成的关键基因.因此,本研究将分析PGC-1α基因在HIV-1包膜糖蛋白gp120诱导神经元线粒体功能障碍中的作用及机制.原代培养皮层神经元细胞后分为对照组、gp120组、空白质粒组、gp120+空白质粒组,gp120+PGC-1α质粒组、PGC-1α质粒组,检测细胞活力OD490nm线粒体膜电位(△ψm)水平、三磷酸腺苷(ATP)含量、活性氧簇(ROS)含量、凋亡率及PGC-1α、cleaved caspase-9、cleaved caspase-3的表达水平.结果 显示,gp120组皮层神经元的PGC-1α表达水平、OD490nm水平、△ψm水平、ATP含量均低于对照组,ROS含量、凋亡率、cleaved caspase-9、cleaved caspase-3的表达水平均高于对照组;过表达PGC-1α后,gp120+PGC-1α质粒组皮层神经元的PGC-1α表达水平、OD490nm水平、△ψm水平、ATP含量均高于gp120+空白质粒组,ROS含量、凋亡率、cleaved caspase-9、cleaved caspase-3的表达水平均低于gp120+空白质粒组.以上结果表明,gp120诱导皮层神经元出现线粒体氧化呼吸功能减退、线粒体途径凋亡等线粒体功能障碍的表现,抑制PGC-1α基因表达是gp120诱导线粒体功能障碍的相关机制之一.本研究的创新点在于探究了gp120诱导神经元线粒体功能障碍的分子机制,研究发现抑制PGC-1α基因表达是gp120诱导神经元线粒体功能障碍的相关机制之一,这为今后阐明gp120诱导神经元损伤及HIV相关性痴呆的发病机制提供了实验依据.     

HIV-Tat蛋白神经毒性机制的研究进展

HIV-Tat蛋白是人类免疫缺陷病毒-1型(HIV-1)基因编码的一种被称为反式转录激活因子,是HIV转录和复制所必须的一个很重要的调控蛋白。HIV感染细胞的早期即表达该蛋白,Tat蛋白能够由被感染细胞合成并释放到细胞外,脑脊液和血清中,能改变非感染细胞的结构和功能,特别是对神经元的结构与功能,从而促进艾滋病(AIDS)脑病的发生和发展,也就是说在中枢神经系统,HIV病毒对于神经系统的损伤多为间接损伤,主要依靠其合成蛋白,如Tat蛋白。Tat蛋白进入脑后,可以选择性地对中枢神经细胞产生毒性作用,引起神经元的凋亡,导致中枢神经系统发生病理性改变,如艾滋病痴呆(HAD)和艾滋病相关性脑炎(HIVE),然而HIV-Tat蛋白的神经毒性机制并不完全清楚。本综述将讨论HIV-Tat蛋白神经毒性及其可能的机制,为将来的研究和艾滋病脑病的防治提供更加有利的方向。     

大鼠海马触液神经元的分布特征及其纤维联系

本文应用ＨＲＰ追踪与电镜结合的方法研究了大白鼠海马接触脑脊液神经元的分布特征和皮质内联系。光镜观察在海马的多形细胞层和锥体细胞层等处可见散在的神经元被标记,而在室管膜层标记的细胞较多,它们分布于交织成网的阳性纤维中。透射电镜可见海马室管膜层的ＨＲＰ反应阳性的神经细胞、树突末稍及神经胶质细胞。在海马室管膜上也见到了被标记的神经纤维。同时在海马室管膜层内还发现未标记的阴性轴突与被ＨＲＰ标记的阳性树突构成的轴－树突触。上述结果提示海马为接触脑脊液神经元存在的部位之一,其接触脑脊液神经元并受到其它神经元的突触调控     

川芎嗪体外诱导小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞分化为神经元样细胞的研究

为了探讨川芎嗪体外诱导小鼠骨髓间质干细胞（BMSCs）分化为神经元样细胞的作用,以小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞为研究对象,实验分为空白对照组、β-巯基乙醇（BME）阳性对照组和川芎嗪诱导组。采用荧光免疫化学和Western blot方法,分别检测神经干细胞巢蛋白（nestin）和经元特异性烯醇化酶（NSE）的表达;RT-PCR检测诱导不同时间对神经细胞相关基因Nestin、NSE、β-微管蛋白III（β-Tubulin III）和核受体相关因子-1（Nurr1）mRNA表达的影响。结果显示川芎嗪诱导间充质干细胞24 h后,细胞形态发生显著改变,细胞突起形成且数目不等,形成神经元样细胞。细胞死亡率低于β-巯基乙醇诱导组。免疫荧光化学法和western blot结果显示：川芎嗪诱导后的细胞nes-tin和NSE蛋白表达呈阳性,且表达丰度显著高于β-巯基乙醇诱导组。川芎嗪作用不同时间的BMSCs表达神经细胞相关基因Nestin、β-Tubulin III、NSE和Nurrl。结果表明川芎嗪能定向诱导小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞分化为神经元样细胞,是较理想的诱导剂。     

肌动蛋白与纽蛋白在神经干细胞定向分化为神经元过程中的表达

目的研究新生大鼠大脑皮层神经干细胞定向分化为神经元过程中肌动蛋白(actin)的时空表达变化及其与纽蛋白(vinculin)的关系.方法采用神经干细胞培养、免疫细胞化学技术对神经干细胞定向分化为神经元的过程中actin的时空表达进行研究;采用免疫荧光双标术及共聚焦激光扫描显微术对定向分化神经元过程中,actin与vinculin关系进行探讨.结果在神经干细胞向神经元定向分化过程中, actin在胞体与突起中有表达,且与日渐增,核周表达逐渐增强,分化成熟时胞体与突起中可见丝状细胞骨架随着突起伸展而延伸.免疫荧光双标actin、vinculin在CLSM下观察,分化早期,胞体和突起内均有分布,actin明显强于vinculin,而vinculin于核周及一侧突起较强.分化近成熟期,vinculin反应增强,随着细胞突起生长,在突起中两蛋白共存处可见节段状分布的黄色融合光,直达突起的末端.结论本研究揭示在大脑皮层神经干细胞定向分化为神经元过程中,actin表达变化与神经元发育成熟呈正相关,且actin与vinculin共存.     

表达中国流行株HIV-1 gp120外膜蛋白靶细胞模型的建立

利用pDispaly真核表达载体构建了用于表达中国流行株HIV-1 gp120的真核表达质粒pD-120,通过脂质体转染法将其导入人宫颈癌细胞（HeLa）,经G418反复加压筛选,直到细胞不再死亡为止,8代后获得稳定表达中国流行株HIV-1gp120蛋白的靶细胞复制模型HeLa-gp,SDS-PAGE、蛋白印迹与间接免疫荧光分析表明,重组蛋白得到很好表达,并具有良好生物活性。本研究为抗AIDS/HIV治疗用基因工程制剂或靶向药物的活性检测奠定了坚实基础。     

纽蛋白在神经干细胞定向分化为神经元过程中的表达及其与辅肌动蛋白的关系

目的探讨纽蛋白(vinculin)在新生大鼠大脑皮层神经干细胞定向分化神经元过程中的表达变化及其与辅肌动蛋白(α-actinin)的关系.方法将神经干细胞分离、培养、分化及鉴定后,采用免疫组化技术对新生大鼠皮层神经干细胞向神经元定向分化过程中,纽蛋白的时空表达进行研究,并采用免疫荧光双标技术及共聚焦激光扫描显微术对神经元定向分化过程中,纽蛋白与辅肌动蛋白关系进行探讨,利用图像分析技术对不同时段分化的神经元中vinculin平均积分光密度进行定量测定.结果在神经干细胞定向分化为神经元的过程中,vinculin由核周淡染分布逐渐至在胞体与突起中密集均匀分布,随着突起伸展而不断地延伸.图像分析结果表示,随神经元的分化成熟,vinculin的表达量呈逐渐增加趋势.在共聚焦激光扫描显微镜下观察免疫荧光双标vinculin/α-actinin在分化早期胞体和突起内均有分布,可见核周和突起两者融合两蛋白共存.近成熟期,随突起生长,两蛋白渐伸入突起,直至末端共存.结论本研究揭示大脑皮质神经干细胞定向分化为神经元过程中,vinculin表达变化与神经元发育成熟呈正相关,并且vinculin与α-actinin共存.     

神经干细胞分化过程中微管蛋白表达变化的光电镜观察

目的对神经干细胞向神经元定向分化过程中微管蛋白的表达变化进行光、电镜观察研究。方法采用细胞培养技术、免疫荧光技术以及免疫电镜技术对神经干细胞向神经元定向分化过程中微管蛋白的表达变化进行观察。结果在神经干细胞向神经元定向分化的不同时期,存在微管蛋白的表达变化,在分化初期以核周附近分布明显,随神经元的成熟散在分布于胞质中及突起内,形成细网状,构成细胞骨架,维持细胞形态。结论在神经干细胞向神经元定向分化过程中伴随有微管蛋白的表达变化,随神经元的成熟而构成细胞骨架,维持细胞形态。     

HIV包膜蛋白Gp120在果蝇Schneider 2细胞内的表达纯化及初步性质鉴定

构建pMT/BiP/V5-HisA-HIVgp120真核表达载体,通过稳定转染获得稳定表达gp120蛋白的果蝇Schnei-der2(S2)细胞系,并对gp120蛋白进行大量表达和纯化。应用聚合酶链式反应技术从重组载体PVR1012-gp120中扩增出中国流行株CRF07-BCgp120全长基因后,将其插入载体pMT/BiP/V5-HisA。应用脂质体转染技术将真核表达载体和抗性筛选质粒共转染果蝇S2细胞,通过杀稻瘟菌素反复筛选,建立稳定高表达gp120蛋白的果蝇S2细胞系,并通过镍柱亲和层析和分子筛法纯化目的蛋白。用SDS-PAGE对重组蛋白的分子量和纯度进行分析,并通过Western blot和酶联免疫吸附技术(ELISA)对其进行鉴定。成功构建了gp120真核表达载体并获得了稳定转染该蛋白的果蝇S2细胞系,成功的表达了具有良好抗体反应性的gp120全长蛋白。此结果为深入研究HIV包膜蛋白gp120的生物学特性及进行HIV疫苗的研究提供了良好的物质基础。     

神经细胞粘附分子与硫酸化氨基聚糖在神经发育、轴突生长、突触可塑性及学习和记忆中的作用

神经细胞粘附分子（neural cell adhesion molecule,NCAM)是一种主要表达于神经系统的糖蛋白,通过亲同性及亲异性结合介导细胞与细胞与细胞外基质间的相互作用,参与细胞的识别,迁移,轴突生长,细胞信号转导,学习和记忆等过程。硫酸化氨基聚糖可调节脑发育中的细胞分化,轴突生长及中枢神经系统中神经元的再生,可能参与了与学习和记忆相关的神经结构功能的调节。这些作用可能与神经细胞粘附分子的亲异性结合有关。     

Up-regulation of the neuronal nicotinic receptor α7 by HIV glycoprotein 120: potential implications for HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder

Approximately 30-50% of the >30 million HIV-infected subjects develop neurological complications ranging from mild symptoms to dementia. HIV does not infect neurons, and the molecular mechanisms behind HIV-associated neurocognitive decline are not understood. There are several hypotheses to explain the development of dementia in HIV(+) individuals, including neuroinflammation mediated by infected microglia and neuronal toxicity by HIV proteins. A key protein associated with the neurological complications of HIV, gp120, forms part of the viral envelope and can be found in the CSF of infected individuals. HIV-1-gp120 interacts with several receptors including CD4, CCR5, CXCR4, and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). However, the role of nAChRs in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder has not been investigated. We studied the effects of gp120(IIIB) on the expression and function of the nicotinic receptor α7 (α7-nAChR). Our results show that gp120, through activation of the CXCR4 chemokine receptor, induces a functional up-regulation of α7-nAChRs. Because α7-nAChRs have a high permeability to Ca(2+), we performed TUNEL staining to investigate the effects of receptor up-regulation on cell viability. Our data revealed an increase in cell death, which was blocked by the selective antagonist α-bungarotoxin. The in vitro data are supported by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis, confirming a remarkable up-regulation of the α7-nAChR in gp120-transgenic mice brains. Specifically, α7-nAChR up-regulation is observed in mouse striatum, a region severely affected in HIV(+) patients. In summary, CXCR4 activation induces up-regulation of α7-nAChR, causing cell death, suggesting that α7-nAChR is a previously unrecognized contributor to the neurotoxicity associated with HIV infection.     

CD4 epitope masking by gp120/anti-gp120 antibody complexes. A potential mechanism for CD4+ cell function down-regulation in AIDS patients.

The in vitro suppressive effect of gp120 and gp120/anti-gp120 antibody is well known but not yet proven to operate in vivo. We report findings consistent with the presence of gp120/anti-gp120 antibody complexes on CD4+ lymphocytes from HIV-infected patients with advanced disease. PBMC from most AIDS patients showed selective masking of the CD4 epitope associated with the gp120 binding site; immunoprecipitation of PBMC with anti-CD4 mAb disclosed high amounts of IgG bound to CD4 receptors. Antibodies against HIV env proteins, but not other HIV products or CD4 Ag, were detected in purified CD4+ cell culture supernatants; in vitro culture was associated with normalization of both CD4 expression in PBMC and the lymphocyte proliferative response to anti-CD3. gp120 presence could not be directly demonstrated, but findings strongly suggested that CD4+ lymphocytes from most HIV-infected patients with advanced disease were covered with gp120/anti-gp120 antibody complexes, which are responsible for down-regulation of surface CD4 expression as well as functional lymphocyte impairment; this event may represent an important mechanism in the pathogenesis of HIV-associated immunodeficiency.     

Crystal structure of ubiquitin-like small archaeal modifier protein 1 (SAMP1) from Haloferax volcanii

HIV associated neurological disorders (HAND) is a common neurological complication in patients infected with HIV. The proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines produced by astrocytes play a pivotal role in neuroinflammatory processes in the brain and viral envelope gp120 has been implicated in this process. In view of increased levels of CCL5 observed in the CSF of HIV-1 infected patients, we studied the effects of gp120 on CCL5 expression in astrocytes and the possible mechanisms responsible for those effects. Transfection of the SVGA astrocyte cell line with a plasmid encoding gp120 resulted in a time-dependent increase in expression levels of CCL5 in terms of mRNA and protein by 24.6 ± 2.67- and 35.2 ± 6.1-fold, respectively. The fluorescent images showed localization of CCL5 in the processes of the astrocytes. The gp120-specific siRNA abrogated the gp120-mediated increase in CCL5 expression. We also explored a possible mechanism for the effects of gp120 on CCL5 expression. Using a specific inhibitor for the NF-κB pathway, we demonstrated that levels of gp120 induction of CCL5 expression can be abrogated by 44.6 ± 4.2% at the level of mRNA and 51.8 ± 5.0% at the protein level. This was further confirmed by knocking down NF-κB through the use of siRNA.     

Recombinant gp120 specifically enhances tumor necrosis factor-alpha production and Ig secretion in B lymphocytes from HIV-infected individuals but not from seronegative donors

The effect of recombinant protein from the envelope (gp120) of the HIV on B lymphocytes purified from either HIV-infected individuals or healthy seronegative controls was examined. B cells from peripheral blood and lymph nodes of HIV-infected individuals spontaneously secreted TNF-alpha; this secretion was augmented by the presence of gp120, whereas B cells from healthy seronegative donors failed to secrete significant levels of TNF-alpha in the presence or absence of gp120. In a coculture system of B cells and chronically HIV-infected T cells (ACH-2), where viral expression is largely mediated by TNF-alpha, gp120 increased virus expression only if the B cells were obtained from HIV-infected individuals. The effects of gp120 on viral expression in this system were not mediated via CD4 receptor binding or FcR binding of anti gp120-gp120 immune complexes. Besides its effect on cytokine production, gp120 also stimulated Ig secretion in B cells from HIV-infected individuals, but not from normal donors. Finally, it was demonstrated by in situ hybridization that germinal centers of lymph nodes from HIV-infected individuals contain large amounts of HIV RNA that is in close proximity to germinal center B cells. These findings suggest that the hyperplastic germinal centers of lymph nodes provide an unique environment for virus expression and accumulation where gp120 stimulates B cells to secrete HIV inductive cytokines, such as IL-6 and TNF-alpha, and thereby further enhances virus expression in infected cells in a paracrine manner.     

T-cell responses to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and its recombinant antigens in HIV-infected chimpanzees.

Peripheral blood lymphocytes from chimpanzees infected for 3 months to more than 3 years with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) had normal T-cell proliferative responses after stimulation with a variety of recall antigens and mitogens, indicating that HIV infection does not cause detectable immunological impairment in chimpanzees. This finding contrasts with that obtained in HIV-infected humans, who often have impaired T-cell reactivity. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from most HIV-infected chimpanzees that were studied also had strong proliferative responses to purified HIV as well as to HIV envelope glycoproteins isolated from the virus, to recombinant HIV envelope glycoproteins gp120 and gp41, and to HIV gag protein p24. The HIV-specific T-cell responses in HIV-infected chimpanzees may contribute to prevention of the development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in this species.     

HIV gp120 Induces Mucus Formation in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells through CXCR4/α7-Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors

Lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and lung infections are major causes of morbidity and mortality among HIV-infected patients even in the era of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Many of these diseases are strongly associated with smoking and smoking is more common among HIV-infected than uninfected people; however, HIV is an independent risk factor for chronic bronchitis, COPD, and asthma. The mechanism by which HIV promotes these diseases is unclear. Excessive airway mucus formation is a characteristic of these diseases and contributes to airway obstruction and lung infections. HIV gp120 plays a critical role in several HIV-related pathologies and we investigated whether HIV gp120 promoted airway mucus formation in normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells. We found that NHBE cells expressed the HIV-coreceptor CXCR4 but not CCR5 and produced mucus in response to CXCR4-tropic gp120. The gp120-induced mucus formation was blocked by the inhibitors of CXCR4, α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAChR), and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)_AR but not the antagonists of CCR5 and epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR). These results identify two distinct pathways (α7-nAChR-GABA_AR and EGFR) for airway mucus formation and demonstrate for the first time that HIV-gp120 induces and regulates mucus formation in the airway epithelial cells through the CXCR4-α7-nAChR-GABA_AR pathway. Interestingly, lung sections from HIV ± ART and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) ± ART have significantly more mucus and gp120-immunoreactivity than control lung sections from humans and macaques, respectively. Thus, even after ART, lungs from HIV-infected patients contain significant amounts of gp120 and mucus that may contribute to the higher incidence of obstructive pulmonary diseases in this population.     

Decreased stimulation of CD4+ T cell proliferation and IL-2 production by highly enriched populations of HIV-infected dendritic cells

APC infection and dysfunction may contribute to the immunopathogenesis of HIV disease. In this study, we examined immunologic function of highly enriched populations of HIV-infected monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DC). Compared with uninfected DC, HIV-infected DC markedly down-regulated surface expression of CD4. HIV p24(+) DC were then enriched by negative selection of CD4(+)HIV p24(-) DC and assessed for cytokine secretion and immunologic function. Although enriched populations of HIV-infected DC secreted increased IL-12p70 and decreased IL-10, these cells were poor stimulators of allogeneic CD4(+) T cell proliferation and IL-2 production. Interestingly, HIV-infected DC secreted HIV gp120 and the addition of soluble (s) CD4 (a known ligand for HIV gp120) to DC-CD4(+) T cell cocultures restored T cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. By contrast, addition of antiretroviral drugs did not affect CD4(+) T cell proliferation. Furthermore, recombinant HIV gp120 inhibited proliferation in uninfected cocultures of allogeneic DC and CD4(+) T cells, an effect that was also reversed by addition of sCD4. In summary, we show that HIV gp120 produced by DC infected by HIV in vitro impairs normal CD4(+) T cell function and that sCD4 completely reverses HIV gp120-mediated immunosuppression. We hypothesize that HIV-infected DC may contribute to impaired CD4(+) T cell-mediated immune responses in vivo and that agents that block this particular immunosuppression may be potential immune adjuvants in HIV-infected individuals.     

HIV-1 gp120 induces expression of IL-6 through a nuclear factor-kappa B-dependent mechanism: suppression by gp120 specific small interfering RNA

In addition to its role in virus entry, HIV-1 gp120 has also been implicated in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders. However, the mechanism(s) responsible for gp120-mediated neuroinflammation remain undefined. In view of increased levels of IL-6 in HIV-positive individuals with neurological manifestations, we sought to address whether gp120 is involved in IL-6 over-expression in astrocytes. Transfection of a human astrocyte cell line with a plasmid encoding gp120 resulted in increased expression of IL-6 at the levels of mRNA and protein by 51.3±2.1 and 11.6±2.2 fold respectively; this effect of gp120 on IL-6 expression was also demonstrated using primary human fetal astrocytes. A similar effect on IL-6 expression was observed when primary astrocytes were treated with gp120 protein derived from different strains of X4 and R5 tropic HIV-1. The induction of IL-6 could be abrogated by use of gp120-specific siRNA. Furthermore, this study showed that the NF-κB pathway is involved in gp120-mediated IL-6 over-expression, as IKK-2 and IKKβ inhibitors inhibited IL-6 expression by 56.5% and 60.8%, respectively. These results were also confirmed through the use of NF-κB specific siRNA. We also showed that gp120 could increase the phosphorylation of IκBα. Furthermore, gp120 transfection in the SVGA cells increased translocation of NF-κB from cytoplasm to nucleus. These results demonstrate that HIV-1 gp120-mediated over-expression of IL-6 in astrocytes is one mechanism responsible for neuroinflammation in HIV-infected individuals and this is mediated by the NF-κB pathway.     

HIV envelope gp120 activates LFA-1 on CD4 T-lymphocytes and increases cell susceptibility to LFA-1-targeting leukotoxin (LtxA)

The cellular adhesion molecule LFA-1 and its ICAM-1 ligand play an important role in promoting HIV-1 infectivity and transmission. These molecules are present on the envelope of HIV-1 virions and are integral components of the HIV virological synapse. However, cellular activation is required to convert LFA-1 to the active conformation that has high affinity binding for ICAM-1. This study evaluates whether such activation can be induced by HIV itself. The data show that HIV-1 gp120 was sufficient to trigger LFA-1 activation in fully quiescent naïve CD4 T cells in a CD4-dependent manner, and these CD4 T cells became more susceptible to killing by LtxA, a bacterial leukotoxin that preferentially targets leukocytes expressing high levels of the active LFA-1. Moreover, virus p24-expressing CD4 T cells in the peripheral blood of HIV-infected subjects were found to have higher levels of surface LFA-1, and LtxA treatment led to significant reduction of the viral DNA burden. These results demonstrate for the first time the ability of HIV to directly induce LFA-1 activation on CD4 T cells. Although LFA-1 activation may enhance HIV infectivity and transmission, it also renders the cells more susceptible to an LFA-1-targeting bacterial toxin, which may be harnessed as a novel therapeutic strategy to deplete virus reservoir in HIV-infected individuals.