Current HIV Research - Volume 12, Issue 3, 2014

In the previous issue of Current HIV Research, we introduced a series of research and review articles (Part I) emphasizing the role of macrophages in the pathogenesis of AIDS and CNS diseases, as well as implications for therapeutic intervention. We present several additional articles, in Part II of this issue, further emphasizing the importance of host-virus interactions in disease and consideration for avenues of therapy and new Read More

Cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage are an important target for HIV-1 infection. They are often at anatomical sites linked to HIV-1 transmission and are an important vehicle for disseminating HIV-1 throughout the body, including the central nervous system. Monocytes do not support extensive productive HIV-1 replication, but they become more susceptible to HIV-1infection as they differentiate into macrophag Read More

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a highly inducible and ubiquitous cellular enzyme that subserves cytoprotective responses to toxic insults, including inflammation and oxidative stress. In neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis, HO-1 expression is increased, presumably reflecting an endogenous neuroprotective response against ongoing cellular injury. In contrast, we Read More

Microglia are critical for the pathogenesis of HIV-associated dementia not only by acting as conduits of viral entry but also as reservoirs for productive and latent virus infection, and as producers of neurotoxins. Interaction between CX3CL1 (fractalkine) and FKN receptor (CX3CR1) is highly functional in the brain, and is known to regulate a complex network of paracrine and autocrine interactions between neurons and Read More

The invasion of circulating monocytes/macrophages (Mφ)s from the peripheral blood into the central nervous system (CNS) appears to play an important role in the pathogenesis of HIV dementia (HIV-D), the most severe form of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), often confirmed histologically as HIV encephalitis (HIVE). In order to determine if trafficking of monocytes/Mφs is exclusive to the CNS or if it al Read More

Nef is one of the accessory proteins of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Nef is translated from multiple-spliced mRNAs transcribed from the viral genome, whose mRNAs have a relatively long 5' untranslated region (5'UTR). Here, we identified a cis element in the 5'UTR of Nef mRNA essential for efficient Nef translation, which was named the Nef-translation essential region (NER). Mutants with a deleted NER in t Read More

Immunologic and genetic factors are involved in HIV-1/AIDS pathogenesis. Defensins are key molecules in innate immunity that participate in the control and/or development of infection and disease. Using PCR-RFLPs, we determined the association between HIV-1/AIDS and human β-defensin 1 (DEFB1) 5’UTR -52 G/A (rs1799946), -44 C/G (rs1800972), and -20 G/A (rs11362) polymorphisms in three groups of women from the stat Read More

Antiretroviral (ARV) prophylaxis for prevention of mother to child transmission (MTCT) of HIV could affect hemoglobin (Hb) development of infants. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in 24 HIV-infected and 21 HIV-uninfected pregnancies. ARV drugs were administered to HIV-infected pregnancies at 21 weeks of gestational age and at labor. Their infants received zidovudine (ZDV) until 4 weeks of age. Blood sa Read More