HIV-1 Tat induces microvascular endothelial apoptosis through caspase activation

I. W. Park, C. K. Ullrich, E. Schoenberger, R. K. Ganju, J. E. Groopman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

74 Scopus citations

Abstract

HIV-1 Tat, in addition to its critical role in viral transcription, is secreted from infected cells and can act as a proto-cytokine. We studied the effects of HIV-1 Tat in primary human microvascular endothelial cells of lung origin and found that it caused apoptosis. This apoptosis occurred without induction of either Fas or TNF, known mediators of programmed cell death. Tat, like Fas ligand, induced cleavage of chromatin structure, as evidenced by changes in DNA laddering, incorporation of fluorescein into the nicked chromosomal DNA (TUNEL assay), and mono- or oligonucleosomes. Furthermore, Tat treatment caused cleavage of poly(A/DP)-ribose polymerase, a substrate of caspases. Caspase-3, but not caspase-9, was activated following treatment of primary human microvascular endothelial cells of lung origin with either Tat or anti-Fas agonist Ab (anti-Fas). Inhibition of caspase-3 activity markedly reduced apoptosis. Although Fas-mediated apoptosis involved changes in Bcl-2, Bax, and Bad regulatory proteins, such alterations were not observed with Tat. Taken together, these data demonstrate that HIV-1 Tat is able to activate apoptosis in microvascular endothelium by a mechanism distinct from TNF secretion or the Fas pathway.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2766-2771
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Immunology
Volume167
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Sep 2001

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'HIV-1 Tat induces microvascular endothelial apoptosis through caspase activation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this