HIV-1 Nef protects human-monocyte-derived macrophages from HIV-1-induced apoptosis

HIV-1 Nef is the regulatory protein expressed earliest and most abundantly in the infection cycle. Its expression has been correlated with a plethora of effects detectable either in producer, target, and bystander cells, as well as in the viral particles. Even if the relationship between Nef expression and apoptosis has been already matter of investigation in infected lymphocytes, whose resistance to HIV infection is however limited to few days, this remains to be investigated in cells that in vivo well resist the HIV cytopathic effect. In such an instance, we were interested in establishing whether Nef influences the apoptotic processes in primary human-monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM). High efficiency HIV-1 infection of MDM allowed us to establish that virus-expressed Nef strongly counteracts the HIV-1-induced apoptosis. The Nef mutant analysis suggested that this effect relies on the interaction with different protein partners and cell compartments. We also observed that the Nef protection to the HIV-1-induced apoptosis correlated with the hyper-phosphorylation and consequent inactivation of the pro-apoptotic Bad protein. On the basis of these results, we propose the Nef anti-apoptotic effect as a relevant part of the mechanism of the in vivo establishment of the HIV macrophage reservoirs.     

IQGAP1 Negatively Regulates HIV-1 Gag Trafficking and Virion Production

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多肽作为HIV-1与胞膜融合抑制剂的研究进展

艾滋病已在世界范围内给人类健康和社会发展带来了严重影响.抑制HIV-1与细胞膜融合的多肽抑制剂由于其分子量小、结构简单、生物毒性低和作用效果明显等优点而受到研究者的重视.针对HIV-1与细胞的融合过程中涉及gp160的分裂、gp120与CD4受体及辅助受体的结合、gp41自身的折叠及与细胞膜的并列与融合等步骤,可以设计一些新的多肽药物靶点,以达到阻止HIV-1侵入的目的.目前针对上述三步骤已分别设计出了相应的多肽抑制剂,如M3、HRPs、CD4M、S肽、DAPTA及C22等,这些多肽抑制剂在体外实验、动物实验或临床实验中均表现出较好的抑制HIV-1与细胞融合的能力,具有十分巨大的潜在应用前景.     

HIV-1 P24抗原国家参考品的研制

收集正常人、HIV感染者和疑似感染者血浆以及HIV-1病毒培养裂解液,对其进行HIV抗体、HIV P24抗原、HCV抗体和HBsAg检测,对HIV P 24抗原阳性者进行HIVRNA检测,并对部分样品进行基因分型.以NIBSCP 24抗原标准品的系列稀释样品作为线性灵敏度参考品.经过实验筛选出20份阴性参考品,10份阳性参考品,10份线性灵敏度参考品,2份精密性参考品,共同组成HIV-1 P24抗原国家参考品,经多家不同的试剂进行标定,制定了相应的标准.稳定性研究结果表明,反复冻融三次对该参考品的稳定性没有影响.由此,初步建立了HIV-1 P24抗原国家参考品,该参考品将对HIV-1 P24抗原、HIV抗体/P 24抗原联合检测试剂的质量控制提供重要依据.     

Efficient gene transfer mediated by HIV-1-based defective lentivector and inhibition of HIV-1 replication

Lentiviral vectors have drawn considerable attention recently and show great promise to become important delivery vehicles for future gene transfer manipulation. In the present study we have optimized a protocol for preparation of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1)-based defective lentiviral vectors (DLV) and characterized these vectors in terms of their transduction of different cells. Transient co-transfection of 293T packaging cells with DNA plasmids encoding lentiviral vector constituents resulted in production of high-titer DLV (0.5–1.2 × 10⁷IU/mL), which can be further concentrated over 100-fold through a single step ultracentrifugation. These vectors were capable of transducing a variety of cells from both primate and non-primate sources and high transduction efficiency was achieved using concentrated vectors. Assessment of potential generation of RCV revealed no detection of infection by infectious particles in DLV-transduced CEM, SupT-1 and MT-2 cells. Long-term culture of transduced cells showed a stable expression of transgenes without apparent alteration in cellular morphology and growth kinetics. Vector mobilization to untransduced cells mediated by wild-type HIV-1 infection was confirmed in this test. Challenge of transduced human T-lymphocytes with wild-type HIV-1 showed these cells are totally resistant to the viral infection. Considering the effective gene transfer and stable gene expression, safety and anti-HIV activity, these DLV vectors warrant further exploration for their potential use as a gene transfer vehicle in the development of gene therapy protocols. Foundation items: National Institute of Health (S11 NS43499); RCMI (G12RR/AI03061, USA.)     

Efficient Gene Transfer Mediated by HIV-1-based Defective Lentivector and Inhibition of HIV-1 Repfication

Lentiviral vectors have drawn considerable attention recently and show great promise to become important delivery vehicles for future gene transfer manipulation. In the present study we have optimized a protocol for preparation of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 （HIV-1）-based defective lentiviral vectors （DLV） and characterized these vectors in terms of their transduction of different cells. Transient co-transfection of 293T packaging cells with DNA plasmids encoding lentiviral vector constituents resulted in production of high-titer DLV （0.5-1.2 × 107IU/mL）, which can be further concentrated over 100-fold through a single step ultracentrifugation. These vectors were capable of transducing a variety of cells from both primate and non-primate sources and high transduction efficiency was achieved using concentrated vectors. Assessment of potential generation of RCV revealed no detection of infection by infectious particles in DLV-transduced CEM, SupT-1 and MT-2 cells. Long-term culture of transduced cells showed a stable expression of transgenes without apparent alteration in cellular morphology and growth kinetics. Vector mobilization to untransduced cells mediated by wild-type HIV-1 infection was confirmed in this test. Challenge of transduced human T-lymphocytes with wild-type HIV-1 showed these cells are totally resistant to the viral infection. Considering the effective gene transfer and stable gene expression, safety and anti-HIV activity, these DLV vectors warrant further exploration for their potential use as a gene transfer vehicle in the development of gene therapy protocols.     

基质蛋白:治疗HIV-1感染的新靶点

HIV—1基质蛋（matrix protein,MA）在HIV-1生命周期中的侵入融合、核运输及组装等环节中起着十分重要的调节作用。其结构中的N末端的核定位信号N（nuclear localization signal,NLS）是介导整合前复合体（preintegration complex,PIC）的核运输所必需的。MA在HIV—1复制中所起的关键作用以及核定位信号区的高度保守性,使它成为寻找新的作用机制和不易产生耐药性的抗艾滋病药物的新靶点。目前已报道了多种靶向MA核定位信号区的抑制剂。该文介绍HIV-1MA的结构、主要功能及靶向该蛋白质的抑制剂研究。     

利用PCR法检测HIV—1DNA

通过比较多个HIV(人免疫缺陷病毒)分离株的核苷酸序列,我们选择膜基因上7373—7514位的一段保守区为目的片段合成了引物1(5′—AGCAGCAGGAAGCACTATGGGC—3′)和引物2(5′—CCAGACTGTGAGTTGCAACA—3′),并分别以质粒PⅢexE7和MT4-HIV-1 DNA,为模板进行了PCR反应及敏感性试验。结果表明,用PCR法可检测出1～10个质粒分子及1×10~6个细胞中一个感染细胞。因此我们推论,本法可应用于AIDS临床标本的检测。     

HIV-1辅助调节蛋白Vpu的结构与功能

Vpu蛋白是HIV病毒的辅助调节蛋白之一,仅存在HIV一1型病毒中。在病毒的复制过程中Vpu蛋白下调CD4受体的表达,调节Pr55^gag蛋白的核定位影响病毒的装配,细胞膜上类似离子通道作用促进子代病毒颗粒的释放。该文介绍Vpu蛋白的结构与功能。     

HIV-1包膜基因变异的体外研究

采用亚型测定、核苷酸和氨基酸序列测定和同源性分析等方法,观察了HIV-1 ⅢB毒株在实验室长期传代过程中包膜基因变异的情况.研究的毒株包括:经过实验室8年多连续使用而获得的毒株、在MT4细胞长期连续传代而获得的每间隔10代的毒株样品及多次更换宿主细胞传代而获得的毒株.主要结果有:(1)各种毒株包膜基因变异均不显著,核苷酸序列同源性均大于92%,变异距离均小于7.5%,且随着传代数增加核苷酸趋于稳定,代间同源性由92%上升至99%,而变异距离由7.5%下降为0.6%.(2)在传代过程中HIV-1亚型保持稳定,各种毒株均为HIV-1 B3亚型.结果显示HIV在体外长期传代培养的过程中变异不大,遗传性状稳定,可能是体外生长的环境十分稳定,缺乏机体免疫学压力.结果也提示体外长期传代HIV毒株仍然适用于各种HIV的应用研究,用长期传代的方法发展HIV-减毒活疫苗的可能性不大.     

中国株HIV-1核心蛋白真核表达载体的构建与表达

运用限制性内切酶XbaⅠ、SalⅠ对pKSGAG进行双酶切,获得HIV-1 gag基因,并与真核表达载体pCI-neo连接,构建含有中国流行株HIV-1 核心蛋白真核表达载体pCI-neoGAG.经XbaⅠ/SalⅠ双酶切及测序鉴定证实,成功地构建了HIV-1 核心蛋白真核表达载体pCI-neoGAG.通过脂质体将pCI-neoGAG转染入p815细胞,G418筛选4周后,使用间接免疫荧光方法检测表达产物.结果表明所构建的HIV-1 核心蛋白真核表达载体能在p815细胞中高效表达,为下一步进行HIV-1 DNA疫苗研究奠定了基础.     

核酸定量检测试验应用于HIV-1感染实验室诊断的探讨

目的:探讨核酸定量检测在HIV-1感染实验室诊断中的应用。方法:选取145例第四代抗原/抗体联合诊断筛查试验为阳性反应的血浆样本,分别用Western印迹和HIV-1核酸定量方法进行检测,综合对比分析2种方法检测结果。结果:Western印迹检出阳性样本120例,不确定样本17例,阴性样本8例;HIV-1核酸定量试验检出结果大于检测限样本131例,其中包括12例Western印迹不确定样本、2例Western印迹阴性样本;有3例Western印迹阳性样本用HIV-1核酸定量检测试验未能检出。结论:核酸定量检测试验对于HIV-1感染阳性样本是一种有效的实验室诊断方法;对HIV-1核酸定量检测结果为"TND"的样本,建议加做Western印迹或结合其他补充试验结果进行综合诊断。     

RANTES衍生物与HIV-1进入抑制剂

HIV-1-1进入抑制剂的研究是近年来艾滋病药物研发领域的新热点,其中最受关注的是以CCR5为靶点的新药研发。CCR5是病毒进入细胞的主要辅助受体,在HIV-1进入宿主细胞过程中起着非常重要的作用。作为CCR5的天然配体,CC类的趋化因子RANTES、MIP-1α和MIP-1β都是极具潜力的HIV-1抑制剂,特别是有关对RANTES的定向设计的研究尤为引人关注,其目的是设计出一种既有很强的抗病毒能力而又不引发炎症反应的HIV-1拮抗剂。就RANTES衍生物应用于抑制HIV进入细胞方面的研究进行了综述。     

Studies on toll-like receptor stimuli responsiveness in HIV-1 and HIV-2 infections

Background: HIV-1 and HIV-2 are two related viruses with distinct clinical outcomes, where HIV-1 is more pathogenic and transmissible than HIV-2. The pathogenesis of both infections is influenced by the dysregulation and deterioration of the adaptive immune system. However, their effects on the responsiveness of innate immunity are less well known. Here, we report on toll-like receptor (TLR) stimuli responsiveness in HIV-1 or HIV-2 infections. Methods: Whole blood from 235 individuals living in Guinea-Bissau who were uninfected, infected with HIV-1, infected with HIV-2, and/or infected with HTLV-I, was stimulated with TLR7/8 and TLR9 agonists, R-848 and unmethylated CpG DNA. After TLR7/8 and TLR9 stimuli, the expression levels of IL-12 and IFN-α were related to gender, age, infection status, CD4⁺ T cell counts, and plasma viral load. Results: Defective TLR9 responsiveness was observed in the advanced disease stage, along with CD4⁺ T cell loss in both HIV-1 and HIV-2 infections. Moreover, TLR7/8 responsiveness was reduced in HIV-1 infected individuals compared with uninfected controls. Conclusions: Innate immunity responsiveness can be monitored by whole blood stimulation. Both advanced HIV-1 and HIV-2 infections may cause innate immunity dysregulation.     

HIV-1 tat基因改造及其蛋白表达、纯化与抗体制备

目的:为了方便实验室工作中HIV-1B'/C亚型及C亚型Tat蛋白的检测,制备了相应的Tat蛋白及其抗体。方法:将我国HIV-1B'/C亚型流行株tat基因的第1个外显子和HIV-1C亚型tat基因的第2个外显子融合在一起,将密码子替换为大肠杆菌的优势密码子,通过合成引物、PCR拼接的方法,获得目的基因序列;在原核系统中与pET32a 载体中的His·Tag、Trx·Tag及S·Tag进行融合表达;目的蛋白经Ni 金属螯合层析柱纯化后,用于免疫家兔,制备多克隆抗体。结果:PCR拼接获得306bp的目的基因序列;在原核系统中融合表达得到相对分子质量约31000的融合蛋白,占菌体总蛋白的21%。纯化后的融合蛋白免疫家兔,制备了多克隆抗体,Western印迹结果显示,获得的多克隆抗体与HIV-1B'/C亚型的Tat蛋白反应良好;间接免疫荧光结果表明,获得的多克隆抗体与HIV-1B'/C亚型和C亚型的Tat蛋白都能产生特异性反应。结论:制备的多克隆抗体能够使用间接免疫荧光方法检测HIV-1C亚型的Tat蛋白,使用Western印迹方法和间接免疫荧光方法都能检测HIV-1B'/C亚型的Tat蛋白。     

Peptides derived from HIV-1 gp120 co-receptor binding domain form amyloid fibrils and enhance HIV-1 infection

Amyloid fibrils play important roles in HIV-1 infection. We found peptides derived from the HIV-1 gp120 co-receptor binding region, which are defined as enhancing peptides (EPs), could form amyloid fibrils and remarkably enhance HIV-1 infection. EPs bound to the virus and promoted the interaction between HIV-1 and target cells. The antiviral efficacy of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) was substantially impaired in the presence of EPs. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) could both inhibit the formation of fibrils composed of EPs and counteract the EP-mediated enhancement of HIV-1 infection. Our findings identify viral derived amyloid fibrils that hold potential for biochemical applications.Structured summary of protein interactionsEP1 and EP1 bind by fluorescence technology (View interaction)EP2 and EP2 bind by fluorescence technology (View interaction)EP3 and EP3 bind by fluorescence technology (View interaction)SEVI and SEVI bind by fluorescence technology (View interaction)EP1 and EP1 bind by transmission electron microscopy (View interaction)EP2 and EP2 bind by transmission electron microscopy (View interaction)EP3 and EP3 bind by transmission electron microscopy (View interaction)SEVI and SEVI bind by transmission electron microscopy (View interaction)     

The neuropathogenesis of HIV-1 infection

HIV encephalitis is the common pathologic correlate of HIV-dementia (HAD). HIV-infected brain mononuclear phagocytes (MP) (macrophages and microglia) are reservoirs for persistent viral infection. When activated, MP contribute to neuronal damage. Such activated and virus-infected macrophages secrete cellular and viral factors, triggering neural destructive immune responses. Our Center's laboratories have begun to decipher the molecular and biochemical pathways for MP-mediated neuronal damage in HAD. This review will discuss the salient clinical and pathological features of HAD and highlight the recent advances made, by our scientists and elsewhere, in unraveling disease mechanisms, including the role of chemokines and their receptors in the neuropathogenesis of HIV-1 encephalitis.     

NKT cells in HIV-1 infection

Natural killer T （NKT） cells are a unique T cell population that have important immunoregulatory functions and have been shown to be involved in host immunity against a range of microorganisms. It also emerges that they might play a role in HIV-1 infection, and therefore be selectively depleted during the early stages of infection. Recent studies are reviewed regarding the dynamics of NKT depletion during HIV-1 infection and their recovery under highly active antiretroviral treatment （HAART）. Possible mechanisms for these changes are proposed based on the recent developments in HIV pathogenesis. Further discussions are focused on HIV＇s disruption of NKT activation by downregulating CDld expression on antigen presentation cells （APC）. HIV-1 protein Nefis found to play the major role by interrupting the intracellular trafficking of nascent and recycling CDld molecules.     

Molecular mechanisms of HIV-1 associated neurodegeneration

Since identification of the human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1), numerous studies suggest a link between neurological impairments, in particular dementia, with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) with alarming occurrence worldwide. Approximately, 60% of HIV-infected people show some form of neurological impairment, and neuropathological changes are found in 90% of autopsied cases. Approximately 30% of untreated HIV-infected persons may develop dementia. The mechanisms behind these pathological changes are still not understood. Mounting data obtained byin vivo andin vitro experiments suggest that neuronal apoptosis is a major feature of HIV associated dementia (HAD), which can occur in the absence of direct infection of neurons. The major pathway of neuronal apoptosis occurs indirectly through release of neurotoxins by activated cells in the central nervous system (CNS) involving the induction of excitotoxicity and oxidative stress. In addition a direct mechanism induced by viral proteins in the pathogenesis of HAD may also play a role. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms of HIV-associated dementia and possible therapeutic strategies.