CD26 as a positive regulator of HIV envelope-glycoprotein induced apoptosis in CD4+ T cells

The level of CD26 determines the rate of HIV entry in a CD4+ T-cell line

We have reported that CD26 could serve as a cofactor of CD4 in HIV entry. Recently, more evidence has been provided for the implication of CD26 in HIV entry, replication and cytopathic effect. Along with, we have demonstrated that the level of CD26 may determine the rate of HIV-envelope induced-apoptosis. The role of CD26 in HIV entry was further investigated using CEM T-cell line. Clones were established by transfection, expressing different levels of CD26. Entry, infection and cytopathic effect were monitored in several independent clones, and were found to be delayed in clones CD26-Low and CD26-SuperHigh compared to clones CD26-High. The delay was most significant in clones CD26-AntiSense, without any apparent cytopathic effect. These results demonstrate that relatively enhanced levels of CD26 contribute to an increased virus infection. Furthermore, they illustrate that CD26-SuperHigh clones manifest a phenotype similar to CD26-Low clones. This point out the critical role of CD26 in the rate of HIV entry and its cytopathic effect, two events which are initiated by the interaction of HIV envelope glycoproteins with cell-surface CD4.