title: HIV-1 matrix protein p17 enhances the proliferative activity of natural killer cells and increases their ability to secrete proinflammatory cytokines.
abstract: We investigated the effects of human immunodeficiency type-1 virus (HIV-1) matrix protein p17 on freshly isolated and purified human natural killer (NK) cells. HIV-1 p17 increased the cytokines interleukin (IL) 2, IL-12 and IL-15, and induced natural killer cell proliferation, but not cytotoxicity. This effect was specific because it was abrogated by anti-p17 monoclonal antibody. Moreover, HIV-1 p17 enhanced the cytokine-induced production of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interferon (IFN)-gamma by NK cells. IL-4 downregulated IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha secretion in IL-2- and IL-15-treated NK cells. HIV-1 p17 restored the ability of NK cells to produce both cytokines when added to the cultures simultaneously with IL-4. The property of p17 to increase the production of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma might be a mechanism used by HIV-1 to modulate the immune system to support its replication and spreading.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Pharmacology and Forensic Medicine, Ospedale Maggiore, University of Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vitale
authors.forename: Arnaldo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Caruso
authors.forename: Maria Antonia
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: De Francesco
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rodella
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bozzo
authors.forename: Emirena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Garrafa
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grassi
authors.forename: Giuliana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gobbi
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cacchioli
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fiorentini
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D015683:Gene Products, gag / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015488:HIV Antigens / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D019409:Interleukin-15 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000494:pharmacology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014764:Viral Proteins; D054301:gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016207:Cytokines; D015683:Gene Products, gag; D015488:HIV Antigens; D019409:Interleukin-15; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D014764:Viral Proteins; D054301:gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; C054858:p17 protein, Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1; D018664:Interleukin-12; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma