title: [Effect of HIV-1gp41 ectodomain on Cryptococcus neoformans-induced cytoskeletal changes in human brain microvascular endothelial cells].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the effect of HIV-1 gp41 ectodomain (gp41-I90) on the cytoskeletal changes in human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) induced by Cryptococcus neoformans.
  
  
  METHODS
  HBMECs were cultured on collagen-coated chamber slide or transwell to allow the formation of cell monolayers. After pre-treatment with gp41-I90 and infection with Cryptococcus neoformans, the HBMECs were examined for the expression of actin or filamin by immunofluorescence assay. HRP permeability of the HBMECs treated with gp41-I90 was detected by ELISA. Transcytosis of Cryptococcus neoformans through the gp41-I90-treated HBMECs was detected by direct counting from a hemocytometer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  gp41-I90 obviously enhanced the cytoskeletal changes of the HBMECs infected by Cryptococcus neoformans, causing curved and sparse filamentous arrangement of actin and filamin. gp41-I90 treatment also resulted in obviously increased HRP permeability of the cells and transcytosis of Cryptococcus neoformans.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  gp41- I90 enhances Cryptococcus neoformans binding to HBMECs, which is related to its effect in enhancing Cryptococcus neoformans-induced cytoskeletal changes of the cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Public Health and Tropic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. longmin@fimmu.com
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: LONG
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: CAO
authors.forename: Ambrose
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jong
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000473:pathology*; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000472:pathogenicity; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D015700:HIV Envelope Protein gp41 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008833:Microcirculation
chemical_list: D015700:HIV Envelope Protein gp41