Interactions of the human immunodeficiency virus with astrocytes

Epstein-Barr virus infection of human astrocyte cell lines

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is implicated in different central nervous system syndromes. The major cellular receptor for EBV, complement receptor type 2 (CR2) (CD21), is expressed by different astrocyte cell lines and human fetal astrocytes, suggesting their susceptibility to EBV infection. We demonstrated the infection of two astrocyte cell lines, T98 and CB193, at low levels. As infection was mediated by CR2, we used two stable CR2 transfectant astrocyte cell lines (T98CR2 and CB193CR2) to achieve a more efficient infection. We have monitored EBV gene expression for 2 months and observed the transient infection of T98 and T98CR2 cells and persistent infection of CB193 and CB193CR2 cells. The detection of BZLF1, BALF2, and BcLF1 mRNA expression suggests that the lytic cycle is initiated at early time points postinfection. At later time points the pattern of mRNA expressed (EBER1, EBNA1, EBNA2, and LMP1) differs from latency type III in the absence of LMP2A transcription and in the expression of BALF2 and BcLF1 but not BZLF1. A reactivation of the lytic cycle was achieved in CB193CR2 cells by the addition of phorbol esters. These studies identify astrocyte cell lines as targets for EBV infection and suggest that this infection might play a role in the pathology of EBV in the brain.

Role of Na+/H+ exchangers, excitatory amino acid receptors and voltage-operated Ca2+ channels in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gp120-mediated increases in intracellular Ca2+ in human neurons and astrocytes

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) dementia is the commonest form of dementia in North American people less than 60 years of age. HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120 has been implicated in the neurotoxicity observed in, and the pathogenesis of, HIV-1 dementia. Recombinant gp120 (gp120) was pressure-applied on to cultured human fetal neurons and astrocytes and, by using single-cell calcium imaging, we determined the mechanisms responsible for gp120-induced increases in the levels of intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i). Significant dose-related increases in [Ca2+]i were observed in neurons and astrocytes. In neurons, 5 pM gp120 increased [Ca2+]i by 290+/-13 nM and increases of 2210+/-211 nM were found at 209 nM, the highest concentration of gp120 tested. The apparent EC50 value for gp120 of 223+/-40 pM in neurons was not significantly different from that in astrocytes. Immunoelution of gp120 with polyclonal anti-gp120 and Ca2+-free conditions blocked increases in [Ca2+]i by gp120. Increases in [Ca2+]i were significantly (P < 0.005) attenuated by the Na+/H+ exchange blocker 5-(N-methyl-N-isobutyl)-amiloride in neurons and astrocytes. The L-type calcium channel blockers nimodipine, diltiazem and CdCl2 + NiCl2 significantly (P < 0.005) reduced increases in [Ca2+]i in neurons, but not astrocytes. Increases in [Ca2+]i by gp120 were not significantly affected by blockers of N-, P- and Q-type calcium channels. The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists (+/-)-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (AP5), memantine and dizocilpine significantly (P < 0.01) lowered gp120-induced increases in [Ca2+]i in neurons. AP5 and memantine, but not dizocilpine, significantly (P < 0.01) reduced increases in [Ca2+]i by gp120 in astrocytes. Gp120 appears to activate astrocyte Na+/H+ exchangers to release glutamate and potassium and, subsequent to this, increases in [Ca2+]i in neurons and astrocytes result from activation of excitatory amino acid receptors on astrocytes and neurons, and voltage-operated calcium channels on neurons. Drugs that block gp120-induced changes in [Ca2+]i in neurons and astrocytes may help in the treatment of HIV-1 dementia.