scholarly journals Rodent Cells Support Key Functions of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Pathogenicity Factor Nef

2005 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 1655-1665 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliver T. Keppler ◽  
Ina Allespach ◽  
Lismarie Schüller ◽  
David Fenard ◽  
Warner C. Greene ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT After infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), progression toward immunodeficiency is governed by a complex interplay of viral and host determinants. The viral accessory protein Nef is a key factor for the development of AIDS. Strains of HIV and simian immunodeficiency virus that lack functional nef genes either do not induce AIDS or do so only after a significant delay. The validity of a transgenic-small-animal model for de novo infection by HIV will depend on its ability to recapitulate the actions of critical factors of viral pathogenicity, such as Nef. We assessed the ability of rat, mouse, and hamster cells to support key effector functions of Nef. In cell lines from rodents, the subcellular distribution of wild-type HIV type 1 strain SF2 Nef and mutants was comparable to that in human cells. Nef downregulated human CD4 from the cell surface, was associated with p21-activated kinase activity, and enhanced the infectivity of HIV-1 virions. Importantly, these Nef-induced effects, as well as the downregulation of rat CD4 and major histocompatibility complex class I molecules, could also be demonstrated in primary T lymphocytes and macrophages from human CD4-transgenic rats. Thus, HIV-1 Nef exerts key functions in rodent cells. In line with our ongoing efforts to establish a transgenic-rat model of HIV disease, these results indicate that important aspects of viral pathogenesis could be addressed in a transgenic-rodent model permissive for de novo infection and that such a model would be valuable for evaluating the function of Nef in vivo.

2008 ◽  
Vol 82 (8) ◽  
pp. 3997-4006 ◽  
Author(s):  
John C. Tilton ◽  
Maura M. Manion ◽  
Marlise R. Luskin ◽  
Alison J. Johnson ◽  
Andy A. Patamawenu ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection has been associated with perturbations of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDC), including diminished frequencies in the peripheral blood and reduced production of type I interferons (IFNs) in response to in vitro stimulation. However, recent data suggest a paradoxical increase in production of type 1 interferons in vivo in HIV-infected patients compared to uninfected controls. Using a flow cytometric assay to detect IFN-α-producing cells within unseparated peripheral blood mononuclear cells, we observed that short-term interruptions of antiretroviral therapy are sufficient to result in significantly reduced IFN-α production by PDC in vitro in response to CpG A ligands or inactivated HIV particles. The primary cause of diminished IFN-α production was reduced responsiveness of PDC to de novo stimulation, not diminished per cell IFN-α production or migration of cells to lymphoid organs. Real-time PCR analysis of purified PDC from patients prior to and during treatment interruptions revealed that active HIV-1 replication is associated with upregulation of type I IFN-stimulated gene expression. Treatment of hepatitis C virus-infected patients with IFN-α2b and ribavirin for hepatitis C virus infection resulted in a profound suppression of de novo IFN-α production in response to CpG A or inactivated HIV particles, similar to the response observed in HIV-infected patients. Together, these results suggest that diminished production of type I interferons in vitro by PDC from HIV-1-infected patients may not represent diminished interferon production in vivo. Rather, diminished function in vitro is likely a consequence of prior activation via type I interferons or HIV virions in vivo.


Blood ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 80 (8) ◽  
pp. 2128-2135 ◽  
Author(s):  
MP Busch ◽  
TH Lee ◽  
J Heitman

Abstract Various immunologic stimuli and heterologous viral regulatory elements have been shown to increase susceptibility to, and replication of, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in lymphocytes and monocytes in vitro. Transfusion of allogeneic blood components from heterologous donors constitutes a profound immunologic stimulus to the recipient, in addition to being a potential route of transmission of lymphotropic viral infections. To investigate the hypothesis that transfusions, and particularly those containing leukocytes, activate HIV-1 replication in infected recipient cells, we cocultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from three anti-HIV-1-positive individuals with allogeneic donor PBMC, as well as partially purified populations of donor lymphocytes, monocytes, granulocytes, platelets, and red blood cells (RBC) and allogeneic cell-free plasma. Allogeneic PBMC induced a dose-related activation of HIV-1 expression in in vivo infected cells, followed by dissemination of HIV-1 to previously uninfected patient cells. Activation of HIV-1 replication was observed with donor lymphocytes, monocytes, and granulocytes, whereas no effect was seen with leukocyte-depleted RBC, platelets, or plasma (ie, therapeutic blood constituents). Allogeneic donor PBMC were also shown to upregulate HIV-1 expression in a “latently” infected cell line, and to increase susceptibility of heterologous donor PBMC to acute HIV-1 infection. Studies should be performed to evaluate whether transfusions of leukocyte-containing blood components accelerate HIV-1 dissemination and disease progression in vivo. If so, HIV-1-infected patients should be transfused as infrequently as possible and leukocyte-depleted (filtered) blood components should be used to avoid this complication.


2000 ◽  
Vol 74 (15) ◽  
pp. 7039-7047 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis M. Mansky ◽  
Sandra Preveral ◽  
Luc Selig ◽  
Richard Benarous ◽  
Serge Benichou

ABSTRACT The Vpr protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) influences the in vivo mutation rate of the virus. Since Vpr interacts with a cellular protein implicated in the DNA repair process, uracil DNA glycosylase (UNG), we have explored the contribution of this interaction to the mutation rate of HIV-1. Single-amino-acid variants of Vpr were characterized for their differential UNG-binding properties and used to trans complement vpr null mutant HIV-1. A striking correlation was established between the abilities of Vpr to interact with UNG and to influence the HIV-1 mutation rate. We demonstrate that Vpr incorporation into virus particles is required to influence the in vivo mutation rate and to mediate virion packaging of the nuclear form of UNG. The recruitment of UNG into virions indicates a mechanism for how Vpr can influence reverse transcription accuracy. Our data suggest that distinct mechanisms evolved in primate and nonprimate lentiviruses to reconcile uracil misincorporation into lentiviral DNA.


2003 ◽  
Vol 84 (10) ◽  
pp. 2715-2722 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gkikas Magiorkinis ◽  
Dimitrios Paraskevis ◽  
Anne-Mieke Vandamme ◽  
Emmanouil Magiorkinis ◽  
Vana Sypsa ◽  
...  

Recombination plays a pivotal role in the evolutionary process of many different virus species, including retroviruses. Analysis of all human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) intersubtype recombinants revealed that they are more complex than described initially. Recombination frequency is higher within certain genomic regions, such as partial reverse transcriptase (RT), vif/vpr, the first exons of tat/rev, vpu and gp41. A direct correlation was observed between recombination frequency and sequence similarity across the HIV-1 genome, indicating that sufficient sequence similarity is required upstream of the recombination breakpoint. This finding suggests that recombination in vivo may occur preferentially during reverse transcription through the strand displacement-assimilation model rather than the copy-choice model.


2001 ◽  
Vol 75 (14) ◽  
pp. 6572-6583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anuja Ghorpade ◽  
Raisa Persidskaia ◽  
Radhika Suryadevara ◽  
Myhanh Che ◽  
Xiao Juan Liu ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The pathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-associated dementia (HAD) is mediated mainly by mononuclear phagocyte (MP) secretory products and their interactions with neural cells. Viral infection and MP immune activation may affect leukocyte entry into the brain. One factor that influences central nervous system (CNS) monocyte migration is matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). In the CNS, MMPs are synthesized by resident glial cells and affect the integrity of the neuropil extracellular matrix (ECM). To ascertain how MMPs influence HAD pathogenesis, we studied their secretion following MP differentiation, viral infection, and cellular activation. HIV-1-infected and/or immune-activated monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) and human fetal microglia were examined for production of MMP-1, -2, -3, and -9. MMP expression increased significantly with MP differentiation. Microglia secreted high levels of MMPs de novo that were further elevated following CD40 ligand-mediated cell activation. Surprisingly, HIV-1 infection of MDM led to the down-regulation of MMP-9. In encephalitic brain tissue, MMPs were expressed within perivascular and parenchymal MP, multinucleated giant cells, and microglial nodules. These data suggest that MMP production in MP is dependent on cell type, differentiation, activation, and/or viral infection. Regulation of MMP expression by these factors may contribute to neuropil ECM degradation and leukocyte migration during HAD.


2001 ◽  
Vol 75 (10) ◽  
pp. 4832-4842 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul L. Boyer ◽  
Stefan G. Sarafianos ◽  
Edward Arnold ◽  
Stephen H. Hughes

ABSTRACT Two distinct mechanisms can be envisioned for resistance of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT) to nucleoside analogs: one in which the mutations interfere with the ability of HIV-1 RT to incorporate the analog, and the other in which the mutations enhance the excision of the analog after it has been incorporated. It has been clear for some time that there are mutations that selectively interfere with the incorporation of nucleoside analogs; however, it has only recently been proposed that zidovudine (AZT) resistance can involve the excision of the nucleoside analog after it has been incorporated into viral DNA. Although this proposal resolves some important issues, it leaves some questions unanswered. In particular, how do the AZT resistance mutations enhance excision, and what mechanism(s) causes the excision reaction to be relatively specific for AZT? We have used both structural and biochemical data to develop a model. In this model, several of the mutations associated with AZT resistance act primarily to enhance the binding of ATP, which is the most likely pyrophosphate donor in the in vivo excision reaction. The AZT resistance mutations serve to increase the affinity of RT for ATP so that, at physiological ATP concentrations, excision is reasonably efficient. So far as we can determine, the specificity of the excision reaction for an AZT-terminated primer is not due to the mutations that confer resistance, but depends instead on the structure of the region around the HIV-1 RT polymerase active site and on its interactions with the azido group of AZT. Steric constraints involving the azido group cause the end of an AZT 5′-monophosphate-terminated primer to preferentially reside at the nucleotide binding site, which favors excision.


2009 ◽  
Vol 83 (19) ◽  
pp. 9875-9889 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elodie Beaumont ◽  
Daniela Vendrame ◽  
Bernard Verrier ◽  
Emmanuelle Roch ◽  
François Biron ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Lentiviruses, including human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), typically encode envelope glycoproteins (Env) with long cytoplasmic tails (CTs). The strong conservation of CT length in primary isolates of HIV-1 suggests that this factor plays a key role in viral replication and persistence in infected patients. However, we report here the emergence and dominance of a primary HIV-1 variant carrying a natural 20-amino-acid truncation of the CT in vivo. We demonstrated that this truncation was deleterious for viral replication in cell culture. We then identified a compensatory amino acid substitution in the matrix protein that reversed the negative effects of CT truncation. The loss or rescue of infectivity depended on the level of Env incorporation into virus particles. Interestingly, we found that a virus mutant with defective Env incorporation was able to spread by cell-to-cell transfer. The effects on viral infectivity of compensation between the CT and the matrix protein have been suggested by in vitro studies based on T-cell laboratory-adapted virus mutants, but we provide here the first demonstration of the natural occurrence of similar mechanisms in an infected patient. Our findings provide insight into the potential of HIV-1 to evolve in vivo and its ability to overcome major structural alterations.


2007 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 391-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong Sung An ◽  
Betty Poon ◽  
Raphael Ho Tsong Fang ◽  
Kees Weijer ◽  
Bianca Blom ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The goal of this study was to develop a small-animal model to study human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) pathogenesis in blood and primary and secondary lymphoid organs. Rag2−/−γc −/− mice that are neonatally injected with human CD34+ cells develop a functional human immune system (HIS), with human hematopoietic cells being found in the thymuses, peripheral blood, spleens, and bone marrow of the animals (hereafter these animals are referred to as HIS-Rag2−/−γc −/− mice). HIS-Rag2−/−γc −/− mice were infected with small amounts of CCR5-tropic HIV-1. Viral replication and immunophenotypic changes in the human cells in peripheral blood and lymphoid organs were examined. The productive infection of human cells in peripheral blood, thymus and spleen tissue, and bone marrow was detected. Ratios of CD4+ T cells to CD8+ T cells in the infected animals declined. Although no specific anti-HIV-1 immune responses were detected, immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG antibodies to an unidentified fetal calf serum protein present in the virus preparation were found in the inoculated animals. Thus, we have shown that the HIS-Rag2−/−γc −/− mouse model can be used for infection with low doses of CCR5-tropic HIV-1, which is most commonly transmitted during primary infections. HIS-Rag2−/−γc −/− mice can serve as a small-animal model for investigating HIV-1 pathogenesis and testing potential HIV-1 therapies, and studies with this model may replace some long and costly studies with nonhuman primates.


2003 ◽  
Vol 77 (5) ◽  
pp. 3119-3130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming Dong ◽  
Peng Fei Zhang ◽  
Franziska Grieder ◽  
James Lee ◽  
Govindaraj Krishnamurthy ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT We have studied the induction of neutralizing antibodies by in vivo expression of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope by using a Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE) replicon system with mice and rabbits. The HIV-1 envelope, clone R2, has broad sensitivity to cross-reactive neutralization and was obtained from a donor with broadly cross-reactive, primary virus-neutralizing antibodies (donor of reference serum, HIV-1-neutralizing serum 2 [HNS2]). It was expressed as gp160, as secreted gp140, and as gp160ΔCT with the cytoplasmic tail deleted. gp140 was expressed in vitro at a high level and was predominantly uncleaved oligomer. gp160ΔCT was released by cells in the form of membrane-bound vesicles. gp160ΔCT induced stronger neutralizing responses than the other forms. Use of a helper plasmid for replicon particle packaging, in which the VEE envelope gene comprised a wild-type rather than a host range-adapted sequence, also enhanced immunogenicity. Neutralizing activity fractionated with immunoglobulin G. This activity was cross-reactive among a panel of five nonhomologous primary clade B strains and a Chinese clade C strain and minimally reactive against a Chinese clade E (circulating recombinant form 1) strain. The comparative neutralization of these strains by immune mouse sera was similar to the relative neutralizing effects of HNS2, and responses induced in rabbits were similar to those induced in mice. Together, these results demonstrate that neutralizing antibody responses can be induced in mice within 2 to 3 months that are similar in potency and cross-reactivity to those found in the chronically infected, long-term nonprogressive donor of HNS2. These findings support the expectation that induction of highly cross-reactive HIV-1 primary virus-neutralizing activity by vaccination may be realized.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document