Role of endogenous interferon-beta in the restriction of HIV replication in human monocyte/macrophages

In vitro culture of human monocytes results in a time-dependent differentiation into macrophages. Monocyte/macrophages were infected with HIV-1Ba-L at different times after isolation and subsequent culture. When 7-day macrophages were infected in the presence of antibodies to interferon-beta (IFN-beta), a significant increase in HIV-1 p24 release was observed. This effect was not detected in 1-day monocytes. Treatment of 7-day cultured macrophages with HIV-1 rgp120 resulted in resistance to vesicular stomatitis virus infection. This rgp120-induced antiviral state was neutralized in the presence of antibodies to IFN-beta. The overall results indicate that the infection of monocyte/macrophages with HIV-1 results in the induction of IFN-beta, which, in turn, inhibits HIV-1 expression in macrophages. The finding that HIV-1 itself (possibly through its gp120) can induce a potent antiviral factor (IFN-beta) in macrophages underlines the complex physiological function of these cells in maintaining normal homeostasis in vivo in response to virus infection.

HIV coating gp 120 glycoprotein-dependent prostaglandin E2 release by human cultured astrocytoma cells is regulated by nitric oxide formation

The role of the L-arginine-NO pathway on the formation of PGE2 by cultured astroglial cells incubated with the HIV coating glycoprotein gp120 was investigated. Preincubation of human cultured T 67 astrocytoma cells with gp 120 (100-500 nM) produced a significant increase of nitrite (the breakdown product of NO) and PGE2 in cell supernatants. The effect of gp 120 on both nitrite and PGE2 production was antagonized by inhibition of NO synthase by L-NAME (20-300 microM). The inhibition of gp120-induced PGE2 production by L-NAME was reverted by addition of arachidonic acid (30 microM), an effect antagonized by the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (10 microM). Methylen bleu, an inhibitor of the biological activity of NO acting at the guanylate cyclase level failed to affect gp 120-mediated PGE2 release showing that the increase of cGMP subsequent to NO production was not involved in the modulatory activity of NO on arachidonic acid cascade. On the basis of present experiments we conclude that gp-120-induced release of PGE2 by astroglial cells is driven by NO, thereby contributing in the involvement of glial cells in HIV-related cerebral disorders.

Neutralizing antibodies to HIV-1 in seronegative volunteers immunized with recombinant gp120 from the MN strain of HIV-1. NIAID AIDS Vaccine Clinical Trials Network

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the MN strain of recombinant gp120 (MN rgp120) as a vaccine prototype to prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

DESIGN

Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study with subjects vaccinated at 0, 4, 24, and 48 weeks and followed up through 64 weeks.

SETTING

The AIDS Vaccine Evaluation Units in St Louis, Mo, Nashville, Tenn, and Rochester, NY, conducted the clinical study. Laboratory studies were conducted at Duke University, Raleigh, NC; data analysis was done by the Data Coordinating and Analysis Center at the EMMES Corporation, Potomac, Md.

PARTICIPANTS

Fifty-seven persons seronegative for HIV, at low risk for acquiring HIV infection, and 18 to 60 years of age.

INTERVENTIONS

The MN rgp120 vaccine was administered to 12 volunteers each in doses of 100 micrograms, 300 micrograms, or 600 micrograms, and 12 volunteers received a combination of 300 micrograms of MN rgp120 vaccine and 300 micrograms of vaccine from rgp120 of strain IIIB. Nine volunteers received alum adjuvant alone (control).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Safety was assessed by monitoring lymphocyte subsets, serum creatinine, and liver enzymes. Immunogenicity was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using the immunogen and synthetic peptide corresponding to the variable region 3 domain of gp120. Functional antibody assays included CD4 binding blocking; antibody-dependent, cell-mediated cytotoxicity; and neutralization of homologous and heterologous HIV strains.

RESULTS

No severe adverse reactions occurred. In 33 of 48 volunteers, two doses of vaccine induced antibodies that neutralized the homologous strain HIV-1/MN. Three doses of vaccine induced antibodies that neutralized MN (in 46 of 48 volunteers), SF-2 (in 45 of 48 volunteers), or IIIB strains of HIV-1 (in 30 of 48 volunteers).

CONCLUSION

The vaccines were safe and immunogenic. Multiple injections of vaccine broadened and increased the neutralizing antibody response.

A non-radioactive, sensitive method for the detection of DNA fragmentation in apoptotic cells (rat pheochromocytoma PC12 and rat cortical cells)

A new method is described which is suitable for reliably analysing apoptotic fragmentation in small amounts of DNA. After isolation, DNA was labelled with biotin-4-dUTP using Klenow polymerase. Then DNA was size-separated by agarose gel electrophoresis, blot transferred and subsequently visualized by the streptavidin alkaline phosphatase-BCIP/NBT procedure. This non-radioactive method was used to detect apoptotic DNA in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells, treated with tributyltin (1 nM). While only 30 ng of DNA is required for analysis of apoptotic DNA using the new blot technique, 100-fold more material is needed to identify the fragmentation of DNA after separation by agarose gel electrophoresis and direct staining with ethidium bromide. In a further set of experiments, rat cortical cells were incubated with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 viral glycoprotein of M(r) of 120 kDa (gp120) to induce apoptosis. More than 0.3 ng of gp 120/ml are required to detect apoptotic DNA by the direct procedure; only 0.1 ng gp120/ml or less were sufficient to document clear DNA fragmentation using the non-radioactive blotting technique described here. These results demonstrate that the new procedure can be used to analyse very small amounts of apoptotic DNA and shows that gp120-induced apoptosis can be measured at low concentrations of the viral protein.

Intracerebral injection of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 coat glycoprotein GP120 does not produce neurodegeneration in rats

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) coat glycoprotein, GP120 has been reported to cause death of several neuronal cell types maintained in vitro. In the present experiments the gross behavioural, electrocortical (ECoG) and neuropathological effects of GP120 were studied in rats chronically microinfused into one lateral cerebral ventricle (i.c.v.) via mini-osmotic pumps. Treatment with GP120 (100 ng/day) for 1, 7 and 14 consecutive days lacked postural, motor and ECoG effects nor did it produce any apparent brain damage. In addition, acute i.c.v. injection of a subconvulsive dose (500 ng) of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) did not produce motor and ECoG epileptogenic discharges in rats which received 1 h beforehand a dose of GP120 (900 ng) into the dorsal hippocampus ipsilateral to the injected ventricle; per se this dose of GP120 was ineffective. In conclusion, the present experiments demonstrate that acute or chronic microinfusion of GP120 into the rat cerebral ventricular system does not produce neurotoxic effects. In addition, they demonstrate that intrahippocampal GP120 does not sensitize rats to the excitotoxic effects of a subconvulsive dose of NMDA.

Specific ligation of the HIV-1 viral envelope protein gp120 on human CD34+ bone marrow-derived progenitors

The precise mechanisms of hematologic abnormalities observed during HIV infection remain unknown. In vitro experiments performed by various authors concerning the HIV toxicity on bone marrow-derived precursors did not allow them to determine whether this toxicity could be mediated through direct or non-direct effects, since it is today unclear if gp120 possesses a direct hematotoxic effect on human bone marrow progenies. The aim of our study was to determine whether labelled gp120 could specifically bind to the membrane of purified human normal CD34+ cells and to investigate the in vitro effect of the gp120 on their growth. To answer these questions, human CD34+ cells were purified from normal bone marrow samples, then labelled with monoclonal antibodies directed either against CD4 antigen or CD34 antigen and/or with FITC labelled gp120 and analyzed by FACS. Our results demonstrate the presence of about 5% of CD4+CD34+ cells and of nearly 12% of CD34+gp120+ precursors. Together with our results concerning the in vitro inhibitory effect of gp120 on the growth of the same purified CD34+ precursors, our data demonstrated the direct hematotoxic activity of HIV-derived gp120 and the possible HIV infection of hematopoietic progenitors through the interaction of gp 120 with CD34+ cell surface.

Envelope glycoproteins of HIV-1 interfere with T-cell-dependent B cell differentiation: role of CD4-MHC class II interaction in the effector phase of T cell help

T-cell-dependent B cell differentiation involves two phases: an inductive phase of T cell activation followed by an effector phase, which involves stimulation of B cells by activated T cells. We have previously demonstrated that anti-CD3 mAb and antigen-induced T-cell-dependent B cell functions are inhibited by HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein, gp120, at the inductive phase of T-cell-dependent B cell response. In this study we have investigated whether gp120 also inhibits the effector phase of interactions involved in T-cell-dependent-B cell differentiation response. For these studies, CD4+ T cells were first activated with antigen or pokeweed mitogen, cultured with soluble HIV-gp120 or medium for 2 hr, and washed. Coculture of gp120-treated preactivated T cells with autologous B cells resulted in impairment of IgG secretion, but did not affect IgM secretion significantly. The IgG secretion was restored by the addition of PMA (activator of protein kinase C) or forskolin (activator of adenylate cyclase), but not by the addition of ionomycin (inducer of intracellular calcium) to the T plus B cell cultures. A similar pattern of Ig secretion (IgM, no IgG) was observed with B cells of a patient with bare lymphocyte syndrome, indicating a requirement for MHC class II molecule interaction with T cells. These studies suggest that the effector phase of T-B cell interactions are impaired by gp120, and that the mechanism involves a signal transducing event(s), which is dependent upon cyclic AMP and/or protein kinase C. Furthermore, these latter reactions occur subsequent to T-B cell contact-dependent interactions at the effector phase, which involve MHC class II molecules on B cells and CD4 molecules on T cells.

HIV-1 envelope protein gp120 affects phenotype and function of monocytes in vitro

We investigated the effect of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) recombinant gp120 (rec.gp120) on phenotype and function of cultured monocytes. Rec.gp120 significantly reduced the accessory function of monocytes to stimulate autologous lymphocytes with anti-CD3, the Fc receptor-mediated chemiluminescence of monocytes, and the expression of CD4 and Fc receptor I/II, while the expression of the monocyte marker CD14 and major histocompatibility complex class I and II was not influenced. According to these phenotypic results, preincubation of monocytes with rec.gp120 depressed anti-CD3 antibody-induced T cell stimulation and Fc receptor-mediated phagocytosis as determined by chemiluminescence. Interferon-gamma release of lymphocytes induced by purified protein derivative of tuberculin was enhanced by gp120. These effects of isolated gp120 on monocyte immune functions in vitro might contribute to the understanding of the pathophysiology of HIV-1 infection in vivo.

Engagement of the CD4 receptor inhibits the interleukin-2-dependent proliferation of human T cells transformed by Herpesvirus saimiri

Infection with Herpesvirus saimiri, a tumor virus of non-human primates, transformed human CD4+ T cell clones to permanent interleukin (IL)-2-dependent growth without need for restimulation with antigen and accessory cells. The IL-2-dependent proliferation of these cells was dramatically inhibited by soluble anti-CD4 whole antibodies, F(ab')2 and Fab fragments, and also by gp 120 of human immunodeficiency virus. The inhibition was not due to cell death and could be overcome by high concentrations of exogenous IL-2. Cell surface expression of CD4, and to a lesser degree the density of the IL-2 receptor alpha chain, were reduced upon anti-CD4 treatment. After long lasting (> 12 h) incubation with anti-CD4, abundance and activity of CD4-bound p56lck were diminished while the free fraction of p56lck remained unchanged. Since IL-2 binding to its receptor activated only the CD4-bound fraction of p56lck, the IL-2-induced p56lck activity was diminished after long-term CD4 ligation. Taken together, our results suggest a cross talk between CD4- and IL-2 receptor-mediated signaling via p56lck.

Induction of beta interferon by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and its gp120 protein in human monocytes-macrophages: role of beta interferon in restriction of virus replication

In vitro cultivated human monocytes show a time-dependent differentiation into macrophages, characterized by an increased expression of macrophage-specific antigens. Monocytes-macrophages were infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 strain Ba-L (HIV-1Ba-L) at different stages of differentiation. When 7-day cultured macrophages were infected in the presence of antibodies to beta interferon (IFN-beta), a significant increase in HIV-1 p24 release was detected. This effect was not observed in 1-day monocytes. This finding suggests that IFN-beta secreted by the infected macrophages inhibits p24 release. Treatment of cultured macrophages with recombinant gp120 (rgp120) protein resulted in the induction of IFN-beta mRNA and in an antiviral state to vesicular stomatitis virus. This rgp120-induced antiviral state was largely neutralized by antibodies to IFN-beta, whereas anti-IFN-alpha antibodies were ineffective. In cultured macrophages, 0.1 IU of IFN-beta per ml was sufficient to induce a marked inhibition of vesicular stomatitis virus yield, whereas this dose was ineffective in 1-day monocytes. These results indicate that (i) HIV-1 (possibly in part through its gp120 protein) induces low levels of IFN-beta in macrophages and (ii) this IFN-beta is very effective in inducing an antiviral state in differentiated macrophages.

Inhibition of myelin formation by HIV-1 gp120 in rat cerebral cortex culture

To study the role of HIV-1 gp120 in loss of myelin in HIV encephalopathy, the binding of gp120 to various types of neural cells and its effects on myelination were examined in rat primary brain culture. Double-staining of cultured cells with gp120 and specific antibodies for different neural cell types showed that gp120 bound to most of the galactocerebroside (GalC)-positive oligodendrocytes, a small population of type-2-like astrocytes and a few small neurons. Gp120 did not bind to type-1-like astrocytes, most neurons, or to macrophage/microglia. To assay myelination, cells were bathed in a myelination medium containing chick embryo extract and high glucose, with or without gp120. Seven days after the application, myelination in the culture was observed morphologically and by staining with anti-myelin basic protein (MBP) antibody, and was found to be significantly inhibited by the addition of gp120 (50-100 nM). The processes of oligodendrocytes were reduced in length and arborization relative to the control, but MBP production by oligodendrocytes was unaffected. These results show that gp120 can cause a functional disorder of oligodendrocytes and thus could underlie the diffuse loss of myelin sheaths of HIV encephalopathy.

Human immunodeficiency virus-1 recombinant gp120 induces changes in protein kinase C isozymes--a preliminary report

Human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) and its purified proteins activate target cell functions. Because protein kinase C (PKC) plays a crucial role in signal transduction and there is a molecular heterogeneity of PKC, we compared the effect of recombinant HIV-1 gp120 and phorbol ester (PMA) on PKC isozymes in monocytic U937 cells, with isozyme-specific antibodies using flow cytometry. All PKC isozymes except PKC-gamma were present in U937 cells. Both PMA and HIV-1 gp120 increased levels of calcium-dependent and -independent PKC isozymes. The most striking change was observed in PKC-zeta isozymes levels. This study for the first time demonstrates that HIV-1 gp120 affects calcium-independent PKC isozymes in U937 cells.

Recombinant gp120 induces IL-10 in resting peripheral blood mononuclear cells; correlation with the induction of other cytokines

Immunological abnormalities present in HIV-1-infected individuals often reflect an imbalance of cytokine production. The HIV-1 gp120 has the ability to induce a number of cytokines, and to enhance immunoglobulin release by normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in vitro, in the absence of IL-2 production and of lymphoproliferation. This study provides evidence that gp120 is a potent IL-10 inducer in normal PBMC cultures. The pattern of other cytokines induced by gp120 includes interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) and IFN-gamma, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-6, IL-1 alpha and -beta, and not IL-2 and IL-4. These findings further define the pattern of cytokine release induced by gp120 on human resting PBMC. Furthermore, the present findings roughly parallel those observed both in the sera of patients and in the mononuclear cells from HIV+ individuals early after infection, suggesting that gp120 could be a good candidate as one of the agents responsible for cytokine dysregulation observed in HIV-1-infected individuals.

gp120-independent fusion mediated by the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gp41 envelope glycoprotein: a reassessment

In a natural context, membrane fusion mediated by the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoproteins involves both the exterior envelope glycoprotein (gp120) and the transmembrane glycoprotein (gp41). Perez et al. (J. Virol. 66:4134-4143, 1992) reported that a mutant HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein containing only the signal peptide and carboxyl terminus of the gp120 exterior glycoprotein fused to the complete gp41 glycoprotein was properly cleaved and that the resultant gp41 glycoprotein was able to induce the fusion of even CD4-negative cells. In the studies reported herein, mutant proteins identical or similar to those studied by Perez et al. lacked detectable cell fusion activity. The proteolytic processing of these proteins was very inefficient, and one processed product identified by Perez et al. as the authentic gp41 glycoprotein was shown to contain carboxyl-terminal gp120 sequences. Furthermore, no fusion activity was observed for gp41 glycoproteins exposed after shedding of the gp120 glycoprotein by soluble CD4. Thus, evidence supporting a gp120-independent cell fusion activity for the HIV-1 gp41 glycoprotein is currently lacking.

HIV-1 gp120-dependent induction of apoptosis in antigen-specific human T cell clones is characterized by 'tissue' transglutaminase expression and prevented by cyclosporin A

We investigated the effect of cyclosporin (CsA) on HIV-gp120-dependent induction of cell death by apoptosis of human T cell clones specific for influenza virus haemagglutinin and restricted by HLA-DR1. Preincubation of the clones with gp120 induced a large inhibition of their proliferation which was paralleled by the induction of apoptosis. Exposure to the specific antigen alone was able to trigger apoptosis in a significant fraction of cells, this effect was potentiated by pretreatment with gp120. Apoptosis was characterized by the typical morphological changes and by the expression of 'tissue' Transglutaminase (tTG), one of the few characterized effector elements of programmed cell death. Interestingly, the tTG protein induction was detectable within the first 24 hours following the gp120 treatment and preceded the appearance of the typical apoptotic phenotype. Noteworthy, CsA treatment prevented the gp120-dependent induction of apoptosis by blocking the activation of the Ca(2+)-dependent effector elements such as tTG.

Modulation of the effector function of human monocytes for Mycobacterium avium by human immunodeficiency virus-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120

Disseminated Mycobacterium avium infection in AIDS is associated with high tissue burdens (10(9)-10(10) mycobacteria/g tissue) of organism. The basis for the extraordinary susceptibility of AIDS to M. avium infection is unclear. HIV or its constituents may alter mononuclear phagocyte functions resulting in enhanced intracellular M. avium growth. The effects of an envelope glycoprotein (gp120), a transmembrane protein (p121), and core proteins of HIV-1 on M. avium infection of human monocytes were examined. Preculturing monocytes with gp120 inhibited M. avium phagocytosis and consistently enhanced intracellular growth of six M. avium strains. Pretreatment with p121, gag5, or p24 did not inhibit phagocytosis nor enhance intracellular growth of M. avium. Incubation of gp120 with soluble CD4 before addition to monocyte cultures or pretreatment of monocytes with OKT4A abrogated gp120 effects on M. avium phagocytosis and intracellular growth. gp120 also augmented cytokine production by infected monocytes. These results suggest that gp120, but not p121 or core proteins, modulate monocyte phagocytosis and enhance intracellular growth of M. avium at least in part through monocyte CD4 receptors. Direct effects of HIV-1 products may, therefore, contribute to the diathesis of AIDS to develop disseminated M. avium infection and to the extensive replication of the organisms within tissue macrophages.

gp120 HIV envelope glycoprotein increases the production of nitric oxide in human monocyte-derived macrophages

The effect of recombinant gp120 HIV envelope glycoprotein on the generation of free radicals by monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) was measured by EPR spin trapping with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO). After 1 day in culture, MDM produced a spin trap adduct of DMPO with hyperfine splitting constants superimposable on those of DMPO-OH. The addition of gp120 to MDM increased the production of DMPO-OH and after 1 h, the amount of DMPO-OH produced by 40 micrograms/ml gp120 was about 300% that of untreated MDM. The use of selective inhibitors suggested the participation of the nitric oxide/L-arginine oxidative pathway, but did not provide evidence for trapping of hydroxyl radical or other oxygen free radicals. The specificity of gp120 was proven by two different anti-gp120 antibodies that either inhibited (polyclonal) or increased (monoclonal) the production of free radicals. Dexamethasone inhibited the effect of gp120, suggesting the possible involvement of an inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase. Moreover, treatment of MDM with gp120 for 15 h increased in a dose-dependent manner the production of NO2-, a stable end product of NO. Soluble CD4 did not modify the intensity of the DMPO-OH adduct, whereas yeast mannan and Ca(2+)-chelators abolished the increase in the DMPO-OH signal induced by gp120. These data suggest the possible involvement of mannose-specific endocytotic lectin of MDM. The reaction of DMPO with sodium nitroprusside, an organic nitrate that releases NO, also produced DMPO-OH. Our findings indicate that gp120 increases free radical production from MDM as detected by spin-trapping methods, and that the spin trap adduct results from a reaction involving NO or closely related oxidized derivatives.

Involvement of CD4 in interleukin-6 secretion by U937 monocytic cells stimulated with the lectin jacalin

The lectin jacalin is mitogenic for CD4 expressing T lymphocytes, interacts with the CD4 molecule, and inhibits HIV infection of CD4+ cells. In the present study the effect of jacalin was tested on cells from the monocyte/macrophage lineage that also express the CD4 molecule. We used CD4+ promyelomonocytic U937 cells differentiated towards the monocytic/macrophage lineage with either a mixture of two physiological agents, retinoic acid (RA) and 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (VD), or the exogenous drug phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). The cells resulting from these treatments differed in term of CD4 expression. We focused our attention on interleukin-6 (IL-6) production, which implies an activation of the cells differentiated along both pathways. In CD4+ RA/VD-treated cells, jacalin induced a 10-fold higher IL-6 secretion than did lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This jacalin-induced IL-6 production was inhibited by agents interacting with CD4 (anti-CD4 mAbs and HIV recombinant gp120) or by recombinant soluble CD4. In contrast, the CD4- PMA-differentiated U937 cells did not secrete any IL-6 upon jacalin treatment, while they demonstrated a response to LPS similar to that of the RA/VD-differentiated cells. Together with the fact that jacalin interacts with CD4, these results provide evidence of the involvement of a CD4 dependent pathway in IL-6 production.

Envelope glycoprotein gp120 of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 alters ion transport in astrocytes: implications for AIDS dementia complex

Infection by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is often complicated by a variety of neurological abnormalities. The most common clinical syndrome, termed acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) dementia complex, presents as a subcortical dementia with cognitive, motor, and behavioral disturbances and is unique to HIV-1 infection. The pathogenesis of this syndrome is poorly understood but is believed to involve interactions among virally infected macrophages/microglia, astrocytes, and neurons. In this study, we show that exposure of primary rat and human astrocytes to heat-activated HIV-1 virions, or to eukaryotically expressed HIV-1 and HIV-2 envelope glycoproteins (gp120) stimulates amiloride-sensitive Na+/H+ antiport, potassium conductance, and glutamate efflux. These effects are blocked specifically by amiloride, an inhibitor of Na+/H+ antiport and by the selective removal of gp120 with immobilized monoclonal antibody. As a result of modulation of astrocytic function by gp120, the ensuing neuronal depolarization and glutamate exposure could activate both voltage-gated and N-methyl-D-aspartate-regulated Ca2+ channels, leading to increases in intraneuronal Ca2+ and neuronal death. These findings implicate the astrocyte directly in the pathogenesis of AIDS dementia complex.

In vitro exposure to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 induces apoptotic cell death of the factor-dependent TF-1 hematopoietic cell line

In this study, we evaluated the effect of a short-term exposure (2 hours) to two different lymphocytotropic strains of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1; HIVIIIB and ICR-3) on the survival of a factor-dependent CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cell line (TF-1). At flow cytometry analysis, a significant (P < .05) increase in the frequency of apoptotic cell death was observed in HIV-1-treated TF-1 cells, supplemented with low doses of either interleukin-3 (IL-3; 0.02 to 1 ng/mL) or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF; 0.02 to 0.2 ng/mL) with respect to mock-treated cells. On the other hand, higher doses of both cytokines or combinations of suboptimal concentrations of IL-3 plus GM-CSF (eg, 0.2, plus 0.2 ng/mL) completely reversed the HIV-1-induced increase of apoptosis. Remarkably, no signs of productive or latent virus replication were ever observed in HIV-1-treated TF-1 cells up to 16 days of liquid culture. In parallel experiments, the in vitro exposure to HIVIIIB induced a significant and progressive increase of apoptotic death in purified bone marrow CD34+ cells, seeded in liquid cultures in the presence of 1 ng/mL IL-3. The HIV-1-induced apoptosis of TF-1 cells was likely triggered by the simple interaction of HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120 with CD4 receptor, which was expressed at a low level on the surface of TF-1 cells. In fact, treatment of TF-1 cells with recombinant gp120 plus a polyclonal anti-gp120 antibody or with anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody plus rabbit antimouse IgG significantly increased the percentage of apoptotic death. These data suggest that HIV-1, and perhaps also free gp120 in the presence of anti-gp120 antibody; could play a direct role in the pathogenesis of peripheral blood cytopenias in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients by inducing apoptotic death of hematopoietic progenitor cells without the need of a direct infection.

gp120-mediated alterations in astrocyte ion transport

The pathogenesis of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) dementia complex (ADC) is unknown. However, recent work indicates that neurons and astrocytes are functionally compromised by exposure to viral components or cellular factors released from HIV-1-infected macrophages/microglia. We show that exposure of primary cultured rat astrocytes to the major HIV envelope glycoprotein gp120 results in alterations of ion and solute transport that may contribute to neuronal cell injury.

Effects of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120 in cerebellar cultures. [Ca2+]i increases in a glial cell subpopulation

The various types of cells present in cultures prepared from the postnatal rat cerebellum, identified by their gross morphology and immunocytochemistry, were loaded with the specific dye fura-2 and analysed individually for [Ca2+]i changes induced by the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120 and a variety of other treatments. In granule neurons [Ca2+]i increases were induced by high KCl and glutamate (mainly through the NMDA receptor) while in type-1 astrocytes this effect was observed after serotonin, carbachol and also quisqualate. In contrast, administration of gp120 was always without effect in these cells. Type-2 astrocytes (an arborized cell type responsive to agonists targeted to the glutamatergic AMPA and cholinergic receptors) were also most often unresponsive to the viral glycoprotein. However, among the cells exhibiting the arborized phenotype, a subpopulation (approximately 13%) responded to gp120 with conspicuous [Ca2+]i increases sustained by both release from intracellular stores and influx across the plasma membrane. These responses to the viral protein did not involve activation of either voltage-gated Ca2+ channels or glutamatergic receptors. Although not yet conclusively identified by specific cytochemical markers, the gp120-responsive cells resemble type-2 astrocytes and differ from neurons and type-1 astrocytes both in gross phenotype and in a number of receptor/channel properties: positivity to AMPA and cholinergic agonists; negativity to NMDA, serotonin and high KCl. From these results it is concluded that a subpopulation of glial cells is affected by gp120. The role of these cells in HIV brain infection and damage requires further studies to be precisely established.

Selective effects of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) gp120 on invertebrate neurons

1. HIV gp120 selectively reduces the glutamate-induced inward current and the acetylcholine-induced outward current in specific and identified Aplysia neurons without affecting dopamine (DA)- and serotonin (5-HT)-induced responses. 2. gp120 specifically decreases DA levels without significantly altering norepinephrine and 5-HT levels in Mytilus pedal ganglia. 3. The gp120-associated decrease in DA levels in Mytilus is dose dependent and exhibits a threshold level. 4. The alteration of in vitro DA levels is specific for gp120 since anti-gp120 blocks the effect. 5. gp120 and its effects appear to be stable due to the duration of treatment and the failure of secondary effects to materialize following antibody treatment.

Effect of CD4 engagement on CD4-T cell receptor complexes

To detect the presence of CD4-T cell receptor (TCR) complexes, we previously developed a flow cytometric method for measuring singlet-singlet energy transfer on human T cells labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated anti-CD4 and tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate-conjugated anti-TCR. Using the same procedure, we have now studied changes in the expression of CD4, TCR, and CD4-TCR complexes following CD4 engagement. Ligation of the D3 domain with OKT4, or the D1 domain with anti-Leu3a, induced CD4 and TCR down-regulation, while ligation of the D1 domain with gp120 did not. OKT4 caused a transient decrease in CD4-TCR association over 1 hr at 37 degrees C, while anti-Leu3a caused a steady-state decrease. In contrast, gp120 decreased CD4-TCR association mainly at 0 degrees C, rather than at 37 degrees C. Such alteration in CD4-TCR assembly may underly anti-Leu3a- and gp120-mediated inhibition of T cell antigen recognition and account for the negative effect of CD4 ligation on TCR-triggered responses.