Journal
JOURNAL OF NEUROVIROLOGY
Volume 12, Issue 3, Pages 200-210Publisher
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1080/13550280600827377
Keywords
brain; encephalitis; HAD; HIV-1; neurons
Categories
Funding
- NIAID NIH HHS [AI50463] Funding Source: Medline
- NIMH NIH HHS [U01 MH083545] Funding Source: Medline
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) encephalitis (HIVE), the most severe neurological complication associated with HIV-1 infection, leads to the onset of HIV-1-associated dementia (HAD). Several HIV-1 viral proteins have been implicated in HIVE-associated neurodegeneration. HIV-1 viral protein R (Vpr), a virion associated gene product known to induce apoptosis in nonproliferating cells, including neurons, is thought to contribute to the neuropathogenesis associated with HIVE. Though current research suggests that Vpr plays a significant role in neuropathogenesis, the presence of Vpr in the brain tissue of HIVE patients has not been assessed. Using a panel of HIVE patient brain tissue, the authors have shown that Vpr is present in detectable amounts in both the basal ganglia and frontal cortex of all HIVE brain tissue samples tested. Double immunofluorescence indicated that Vpr was found in the macrophages and neurons, but not in the astrocytes, of HIVE patients. These results for the first time show the presence of Vpr in vivo and further support the role of Vpr in neuropathogenesis.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available