HIV-1 infection increases the expression of human endogenous retroviruses type K (HERV-K) in vitro.
Antibodies to HERV-K antigens have been linked to HIV-1 infection and expression of HERV-K proteins generates T-cell cytotoxic responses in many cancers. HERV-K RNA and protein abundance was measured in HIV-1-infected and control cells. In vitro exposure of HIV-1 laboratory-adapted and primary isolates on U87MG cells increased the expression of HERV-K RNA in a dose-dependent manner. HERV-K RNA and protein burdens were significantly increased in HIV-1-producing H9 cell lines compared to H9 cells. The expression of HERV-K was synergistically increased in HIV-1-infected PBMCs after stimulation with PMA/ionomycin. Furthermore, the expression of HERV-K in PBMCs, and particularly in CD4(+) T cells, was higher in HIV-1 patients compared to control subjects. The expression of HERV-K might be related to HIV-1 pathogenesis and AIDS-associated cancers.
Contreras-Galindo
Rafael
R
AIDS Research Program, Ponce School of Medicine, Ponce, Puerto Rico, 00716. rafaelc@med.umich.edu
López
Pablo
P
Vélez
Rosa
R
Yamamura
Yasuhiro
Y
D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000821:virology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D020077:Endogenous Retroviruses / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015870:Gene Expression; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000821:virology*; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D015759:Ionomycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D007476:Ionophores / Q000494:pharmacology; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000821:virology; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology; D019562:Viral Load
D007476:Ionophores; D012367:RNA, Viral; D015759:Ionomycin; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate