靶向融合蛋白XE-TNFαm2导致受HIV/SIV感染细胞的凋亡

研制了基因工程靶向融合蛋白XE-TNFαm2。其中,XE为HIV/SIV辅助受体CXCR4的第二胞外域;TNFαm2是经突变改型的TNFα,其毒副作用已降低18倍,己用于临床治疗恶性肿瘤。己有的研究表明XE-TNFαm2的功能之一是杀灭受HIV/SIV感染的细胞、但不杀伤未受HIV/SIV感染的正常细胞。探讨XE-TNFαm2可否引起细胞的凋亡, 以阐明其杀伤细胞作用的可能机制。结果表明,XE-TNFαm2只能引起受HIV/SIV感染细胞的凋亡,但不能引起未受HIV/SIV感染的正常细胞的凋亡。这一结果表明XE-TNFαm2是一种可特异杀灭受HIV/SIV感染细胞的准确靶向融合蛋白,其毒副作用己最小化。     

靶向融合蛋白XE-TNFom2导致受HIV/SIV感染细胞的凋亡

研制了基因工程靶向融合蛋白XE-TNFαm2.其中,XE为HIV/SIV辅助受体CXCR4的第二胞外域;TNFαm2是经突变改型的TNFα,其毒副作用已降低18倍,已用于临床治疗恶性肿瘤.已有的研究表明XE-TNFαm2的功能之一是杀灭受HIV/SIV感染的细胞、但不杀伤未受HIV/SIV感染的正常细胞.探讨XE-TNFαm2可否引起细胞的凋亡,以阐明其杀伤细胞作用的可能机制.结果表明,XE-TNFαm2只能引起受HIV/SIV感染细胞的凋亡,但不能引起未受HIV/SIV感染的正常细胞的凋亡.这一结果表明XE-TNFαm2是一种可特异杀灭受HIV/SIV感染细胞的准确靶向融合蛋白,其毒副作用己最小化.     

NK细胞与HIV/SIV感染相关性的研究进展

NK细胞作为天然免疫系统的重要组成部分,其在HIV/SIV感染后的免疫机制及如何发挥抗病毒作用成为近几年艾滋病研究的热点之一。研究中发现,伴随HIV/SIV的感染,NK细胞亚群比例发生改变同时伴有功能缺陷,这种变化与HIV/SIV慢性感染阶段病毒复制水平有显著相关性。并且由于归巢受体表达的改变引起NK细胞在HIV/SIV感染者体内不同组织间的重新分布。NK细胞表面的受体KIR3DL1和KIR3DS也表现出对HIV感染的抵抗作用。这些发现为我们进一步研究NK细胞的抗HIV/SIV病毒感染的免疫机制提供了新的思路和方向。     

重组HIV表面抗原gp120的表达纯化及免疫学鉴定

为研制具有流行特点的HIV血清学诊断试剂,采用pET系统表达HIV-1表面糖蛋白gp120。研究发现,全长的gp120在E.coli中不能有效表达;N端半长的gp120可以表达,但表达量很低;仅保留N端1/3的gp120(包含gp120V1/V2抗原决定簇)有效表达,表达蛋白占菌体总蛋白的18%;Westernblot显示较好的反应原性;通过金属螯合层析,产物得到完全纯化。在这些结果的基础上,我们表达了流行株的gp120片段,为探索gp120在大肠杆菌的高效表达,建立针对中国人群的HIV血清学诊断系统奠定基础。     

人星形细胞HIV—1膜蛋白gp120新受体的免疫学鉴定

自1994年首次报导HIV－1外膜蛋白gp120与人胎儿星形细胞膜蛋白质位点（推测分子量为260kD,命名为PAG）结合以来[1],这项工作持续集中于研究该蛋白的功能与作用,本研究藉助杂交瘤技术建立了一系列不鼠抗人星形细胞PAG）的单克隆抗体,这些抗体成功的抑制了gp120与PAG的结合,抑制可达50％以上,并几乎完全阻断了gp120介导的由摄入所星表细胞风钙离子的升高,通过ELISA可证实抗体与星形细胞的特异反应,蛋白印迹和免疫沉淀试验结果表明PAG作为实体的存在,试验表明PAG对于gp120与星形细胞的结合,对于gp120个导的星形细胞摄入所致钙离子的升高均有决定性作用,许多方向报导和研究表明gp120可与多种细胞结合而导致HIV－1感染,由此推论PAG是HIV－1gp120在人星形细胞上的新受体,同时也可能对HIV－1脑病的治疗开辟一条崭新的途径,PAG是否为HIV－1感染人星形细胞的受体,仍有等进一步实验证明。     

细胞间粘附分子5（ICAM-5）在HIV相关神经损伤中的保护性作用

为探究细胞间粘附分子5 (intercellular adhesion molecule 5,ICAM-5)在HIV相关神经认知损伤中的作用,用ELISA法测定HIV感染者脑脊液样本和体外动物神经细胞培养体系中可溶性细胞间粘附分子5(ICAM-5s)的含量|蛋白印迹法检测ICAM-5蛋白表达|免疫荧光法观察神经细胞形态学变化|用CytoTox 96非放射性细胞毒性实验检测神经细胞死亡率.抗ICAM-5单克隆抗体Cy3标记的免疫荧光染色结果显示,ICAM-5可在神经元细胞的胞体和突起表达,且经HIV神经毒性蛋白gp120 500pmol/L处理的神经细胞平均突起长度显著小于无gp120处理的对照组|体外神经细胞培养体系中,gp120+基质金属蛋白酶3（MMP3）实验组的ICAM-5s含量显著高于gp120组,且前者神经元细胞的死亡率高于后者|在 HIV感染者中,HIV相关神经认知障碍（HIV associated neurocognitive disorder,HAND）患者脑脊液中ICAM 5s的水平显著高于认知功能正常的患者.结果表明,ICAM-5可能具有标记神经细胞突起的潜能,但其确切性有待进一步实验验证|ICAM-5与HIV相关神经认知功能损伤相关,具有潜在的神经元细胞保护作用.     

艾滋病与支原体

<正>自1983年法国巴斯德研究所Luc Montagnier首先从慢性淋巴腺瘤的男性同性恋患者分离到HIV病毒以来,对HIV感染的分子生物学现已有较深入的认识:HIV感染主要是通过病毒包膜糖蛋白gp120与淋巴细胞表面的CD 4受体结合,经病毒介导的膜融合进入细胞,在胞中增殖引起细胞病变;病毒基因可以整合于宿主基因组中或以非整合形式存在于感染细胞内,在宿主体内引起缓慢性进行性的潜伏感染。针对这一过程,目前的AIDS治疗主要采用核苷类似物AZT、AZdu和d4T等,以阻断HIV DNA链的延伸,但这些药物病毒性大,在临床治疗上受到限制     

gp120似乎促进艾滋病患者的CD4破坏

National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine(Denver,CO)的 Terri Finkel 提出问题:用病毒表面蛋白 gp120制成的 HIV 疫苗实际上在加速病程发展吗?她认为,答案恐怕是肯定的。Finkel 在其最近发表的一份研究报告中指出,由 gp120或抗-gp120抗体交联的 CD_4 T 细胞可通过一种“apoptosis”机制自身破坏。一旦 T 细胞被触发,此过程即发生,因为 apoptosis 与细胞的靶抗原有关。     

可溶性重组CD4(rCD4)对HIV-1感染单核细胞和巨噬细胞的作用

<正>CD_4糖蛋白已被识别系人免疫缺陷病毒(HIV)的细胞受体。HIV与CD_4受体的结合是通过病毒表面糖蛋白gp120所介导的,该步骤不仅引发细胞水平病毒感染,而且也能导致部分HIV的细胞病变特征。尽管HIV-1分离物间具有无数的株间差异,HIV-1和HIV-2的,基因组亦存在着差异,但在感染过程中,外膜糖蛋白与CD4受体的结合却表现出高度保守的机理,这可能是医学界的一个课题。     

HIV-1进攻靶细胞的机制及相应环节抑制剂

HIV－1是导致获得性免疫缺陷综合症（AIDS）的流行最广、破坏力最强的病毒。HIV－1分两个步骤特异性地进攻CD4^ 细胞：一是利用表面糖蛋白gp120和靶细胞膜上的受体结合;二是通过跨膜糖蛋白gp41使病毒的包膜和靶细胞的质膜发生融合,经过上述步骤,病毒的核心蛋白和遗传物质得以进入人体,然其中进行复制,遇时,细胞膜的稳定性被破坏,细胞的内外环境失去平衡,最终导致细胞死亡。HIV－1进攻靶细胞的机制研究所取得的成就为研制安全有效的抗HIV／AIDS药物提供了新的思路和方向。     

Serial human passage of simian immunodeficiency virus by unsterile injections and the emergence of epidemic human immunodeficiency virus in Africa

There is compelling evidence that both human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) types emerged from two dissimilar simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs) in separate geographical regions of Africa. Each of the two HIVs has its own simian progenitor and specific genetic precursor, and all of the primates that carry these SIVs have been in close contact with humans for thousands of years without the emergence of epidemic HIV. To date no plausible mechanism has been identified to account for the sudden emergence in the mid-20th century of these epidemic HIVs. In this study we examine the conditions needed for SIV to complete the genetic transition from individual human SIV infections to epidemic HIV in humans. The genetic distance from SIV to HIV and the mutational activity needed to achieve this degree of adaptation to human hosts is placed within a mathematical model to estimate the probabilities of SIV completing this transition within a single SIV-infected human host. We found that the emergence of even one epidemic HIV strain, following a single human exposure to SIV, was very unlikely. And the probability of four or more such transitions (i.e. HIV-1 groups M, O and HIV-2 subtypes A and B) occurring in a brief period is vanishingly small. We conclude that SIV cannot become a zoonosis, but requires adaptive mutations to become HIV. Some modern event must have aided in the transition of SIV to HIV. Our research indicates that serial passage of partially adapted SIV between humans could produce the series of cumulative mutations sufficient for the emergence of epidemic HIV strains. We examined the rapid growth of unsterile injections in Africa beginning in the 1950s as a biologically plausible event capable of greatly increasing serial human passage of SIV and generating HIV by a series of multiple genetic transitions. We conclude that increased unsterile injecting in Africa during the period 1950-1970 provided the agent for SIV human infections to emerge as epidemic HIV in the modern era.     

Apolipoprotein A-1 interacts with the N-terminal fusogenic domains of SIV (simian immunodeficiency virus) GP32 and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) GP41: implications in viral entry.

Previous studies showed that apoA1, the major protein component of HDL (High Density Lipoprotein), inhibited HIV infectivity and virus-induced syncytia formation. The mechanism of inhibition is unknown. We bring here evidence that the amphipathic helices of apoA1 interact with the N-terminal peptides of SIV gp32 and HIV gp41. These peptides have been shown to be associated with the initial steps of the fusion between the host cell and the virus. Binding of apoA1 to these peptides prevents the insertion of the fusogenic domains into the cell membrane and inhibits the fusion and the entry of the virus into the host cell.     

工程菌DH5α/pCW-PL-XE-TNFαm2的遗传稳定性

目的本基因工程大肠杆菌DH5α/pCW-PL-XE-TNFαm2所表达的靶向融合蛋白XE-TNFαm2已被初步证明具有用于清除艾滋病患者体内HIV病毒的前景。其目的蛋白表达水平为32%～36%细胞总蛋白。本研究旨在验证其遗传稳定性。方法工程菌株DH5α/pCW-PL-XE-TNFαm分别在LBAmp＋与LBAmp-二种固体培养基上逐日单菌落划线传代,32℃培养过夜。每间隔十代运用一般温控表达技术,确定其XE-TNFαm2的蛋白含量,最后比较分析各代之间目的蛋白（20.3 kDa）表达水平的差异情况。结果该重组基因工程菌连续传100代后XE-TNFαm2的蛋白表达水平没有明显差异（P〉0.05）;只是在上述两种情况下传至100代后将其置于4℃保藏4、5、6个月,其目的蛋白表达水平有8%的下降。本载体质粒含有的CIts857序列、PL启动子与T1T2末端终止序列,是确保目的基因稳定高表达的3个关键元件。结论本研究结果证明该工程菌DH5α/pCW-PL-XE-TNFαm2具有良好的遗传稳定性。     

Potent and stable attenuation of live-HIV-1 by gain of a proteolysis-resistant inhibitor of NF-kappaB (IkappaB-alphaS32/36A) and the implications for vaccine development.

Live-attenuated human immunodeficiency viruses (HIVs) are candidates for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) vaccine. Based on the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) model for AIDS, loss-of-function (e.g. deletion of accessory genes such as nef) has been forwarded as a primary approach for creating enfeebled, but replication-competent, HIV-1/SIV. Regrettably, recent evidence suggests that loss-of-function alone is not always sufficient to prevent the emergence of virulent mutants. New strategies that attenuate via mechanisms distinct from loss-of-function are needed for enhancing the safety phenotype of viral genome. Here, we propose gain-of-function to be used simultaneously with loss-of-function as a novel approach for attenuating HIV-1. We have constructed an HIV-1 genome carrying the cDNA of a proteolysis-resistant nuclear factor-kappaB inhibitor (IkappaB-alphaS32/36A) in the nef region. HIV-1 expressing IkappaB-alphaS32/36A down-regulates viral expression and is highly attenuated in both Jurkat and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We provide formal proof that the phenotypic and attenuating characteristics of IkappaB-alphaS32/36A permit its stable maintenance in a live, replicating HIV-1 despite 180 days of forced ex vivo passaging in tissue culture. As compared with other open-reading frames embedded into HIV/SIV genome, this degree of stability is unprecedented. Thus, IkappaB-alphaS32/36A offers proof-of-principle that artifactually gained functions, when used to attenuate the replication of live HIV-1, can be stable. These findings illustrate gain-of-function as a feasible strategy for developing safer live-attenuated HIVs to be tested as candidates for AIDS vaccine.     

The stability of the intact envelope glycoproteins is a major determinant of sensitivity of HIV/SIV to peptidic fusion inhibitors

C-peptides derived from the HIV envelope glycoprotein transmembrane subunit gp41 C-terminal heptad repeat (C-HR) region are potent HIV fusion inhibitors. These peptides interact with the gp41 N-terminal heptad repeat (N-HR) region and block the gp41 six-helix bundle formation that is required for fusion. However, the parameters that govern this inhibition have yet to be elucidated. We address this issue by comparing the ability of C34, derived from HIV-1, HIV-2 and SIV gp41, to inhibit HIV-1, HIV-2 and SIV envelope-mediated fusion and the ability of these peptides to form stable six-helix bundles with N36 peptides derived from gp41 of these three viruses. The ability to form six-helix bundles was examined by circular dichroism spectroscopy, and HIV/SIV Env-mediated membrane fusion was monitored by a dye transfer assay. HIV-1 N36 formed stable helix bundles with HIV-1, HIV-2 and SIV C34, which all inhibited HIV-1 Env-mediated fusion at IC(50)<10nM. The three C34 peptides were poor inhibitors of HIV-2 and SIV fusion (IC(50)>100nM), although HIV-2 and SIV N36 formed stable helix bundles with SIV C34. Priming experiments with sCD4 indicate that, in contrast to HIV-1, HIV-2 and SIV Env do not expose their N-HR region to SIV C34 following CD4 binding, but rapidly proceed to co-receptor engagement and six-helix bundle formation resulting in fusion. Our results suggest that several factors, including six-helix bundle stability and the ability of CD4 to destabilize the envelope glycoprotein, serve as determinants of sensitivity to entry inhibitors.     

Nuclear export of simian immunodeficiency virus Vpx protein

Lentiviruses, human immunodeficiency viruses (HIVs), and simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs) are distinguished from oncoretroviruses by their ability to infect nondividing cells such as macrophages. Retroviruses must gain access to the host cell nucleus for replication and propagation. HIV and SIV preintegration complexes (PIC) enter nuclei after traversing the central aqueous channel of the limiting nuclear pore complex without membrane breakdown. Among the nucleophilic proteins, namely, matrix, integrase, Vpx, and Vpr, present in HIV type 2/SIV PIC, Vpx is implicated in nuclear targeting and is also available for incorporation into budding virions at the plasma membrane. The mechanisms of these two opposite functions are not known. We demonstrate that Vpx is a nucleocytoplasmic shuttling protein and contains two novel noncanonical nuclear import signals and a leptomycin B-sensitive nuclear export signal. In addition, Vpx interacts with the cellular tyrosine kinase Fyn through its C-terminal proline-rich motif. Furthermore, our data indicate that Fyn kinase phosphorylates Vpx and regulates its export from nucleus. Replacement of conserved tryptophan residues within domain 41 to 63 and tyrosine residues at positions 66, 69, and 71 in Vpx impairs its nuclear export, virion incorporation, and SIV replication in macrophages. Nuclear export is essential to ensure the availability of Vpx in the cytoplasm for incorporation into virions, leading to efficient viral replication within nondividing cells.     

HIV LTR-dependent expression of Bax selectively induces apoptosis in Tat-positive cells

HIV integrates into the host cell genome where it persists for the life of the cell. One approach to reducing viral burden is to selectively eliminate cells containing integrated provirus early following infection. We have used the HIV LTR promoter to selectively express transgenes in human cells positive for the HIV transactivator protein Tat. Transient transfection of Jurkat cells, or Jurkat cells stably expressing Tat (Jurkat-Tat), with a LTR construct containing luciferase reporter gene resulted in a 37-fold increase in gene expression when Tat was present. We have demonstrated that when pro-apoptotic Bax was used as the transgene, cytotoxicity was seen only in the Jurkat-Tat cells. Annexin-V staining indicated that Bax induced cell death by apoptosis. In mixed populations of Jurkat and Jurkat-Tat cells, the LTR-Bax construct was selectively cytotoxic to the Tat-positive cells. These results suggest that Bax under the control of the HIV LTR can be used to destroy cells harbouring HIV without affecting uninfected cells.     

Simian immunodeficiency virus Nef protein delays the progression of CD4+ T cells through G1/S phase of the cell cycle

Human and simian immunodeficiency virus (HIV and SIV, respectively) infections are characterized by gradual depletion of CD4+ T cells. The underlying mechanisms of CD4+ T-cell depletion and HIV and SIV persistence are not fully determined. The Nef protein is expressed early in infection and is necessary for pathogenesis. Nef can cause T-cell activation and downmodulates cell surface signaling molecules. However, the effect of Nef on the cell cycle has not been well characterized. To determine the role of Nef in the cell cycle, we investigated whether the SIV Nef protein can modulate cell proliferation and apoptosis in CD4+ Jurkat T cells. We developed a CD4+ Jurkat T-cell line that stably expresses SIV Nef under the control of an inducible promoter. Alterations in cell proliferation were determined by flow cytometry using stable intracytoplasmic fluorescent dye 5- and 6-carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester and bromodeoxyuridine incorporation. Apoptotic cell death was measured by annexin V and propidium iodide staining. Our results demonstrated that SIV Nef inhibited Fas-induced apoptosis in these cells and that the mechanism involved upregulation of the Bcl-2 protein. SIV Nef suppressed CD4+ T-cell proliferation by inhibiting the progression of cells into S phase of the cell cycle. Suppression involved an upregulation of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p21 and p27 and the downregulation of cyclin D1 and cyclin A. In summary, inhibition of apoptosis by Nef can lead to persistence of infected cells and can support viral replication. In addition, a Nef-mediated delay in cell cycle progression may contribute to CD4+ T-cell anergy/depletion seen in HIV and SIV disease.