title: Cold Atmospheric Plasma Inhibits HIV-1 Replication in Macrophages by Targeting Both the Virus and the Cells.
abstract: Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is a specific type of partially ionized gas that is less than 104°F at the point of application. It was recently shown that CAP can be used for decontamination and sterilization, as well as anti-cancer treatment. Here, we investigated the effects of CAP on HIV-1 replication in monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM). We demonstrate that pre-treatment of MDM with CAP reduced levels of CD4 and CCR5, inhibiting virus-cell fusion, viral reverse transcription and integration. In addition, CAP pre-treatment affected cellular factors required for post-entry events, as replication of VSV-G-pseudotyped HIV-1, which by-passes HIV receptor-mediated fusion at the plasma membrane during entry, was also inhibited. Interestingly, virus particles produced by CAP-treated cells had reduced infectivity, suggesting that the inhibitory effect of CAP extended to the second cycle of infection. These results demonstrate that anti-HIV activity of CAP involves the effects on target cells and the virus, and suggest that CAP may be considered for potential application as an anti-HIV treatment.
authors: Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The George Washington University, SEAS, Washington, DC, United States of America.
authors: Olga
authors: O
authors: Volotskova
authors: Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, SMHS, Washington, DC, United States of America.
authors: Larisa
authors: L
authors: Dubrovsky
authors: Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The George Washington University, SEAS, Washington, DC, United States of America.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Keidar
authors: Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, SMHS, Washington, DC, United States of America.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Bukrinsky
mesh_terms: D001274:Atmospheric Pressure; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000502:physiology*; D006371:Helium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D009000:Monocytes / Q000166:cytology; D058626:Plasma Gases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019713:Receptors, CCR5 / Q000378:metabolism; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D015704:CD4 Antigens; D058626:Plasma Gases; D019713:Receptors, CCR5; D006371:Helium