Differential signaling mechanism for HIV-1 Nef-mediated production of IL-6 and IL-8 in human astrocytes

Sci Rep. 2015 Jun 15:5:9867. doi: 10.1038/srep09867.

Abstract

Variety of HIV-1 viral proteins including HIV-1 Nef are known to activate astrocytes and microglia in the brain and cause the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which is thought to be one of the mechanisms leading to HIV-1- mediated neurotoxicity. IL-6 and IL-8 have been found in the CSF of patients with HIV-1 associated dementia (HAD), suggesting that they might play important roles in HIV-1 neuropathology. In the present study we examined the effects of HIV-1 Nef on IL-6 and IL-8 induction in astrocytes. The results demonstrate that both IL-6 and IL-8 are significantly induced in HIV-1 Nef-transfected SVGA astrocytes and HIV-1 Nef-treated primary fetal astrocytes. We also determined the molecular mechanisms responsible for the HIV-1 Nef-induced increased IL-6 and IL-8 by using chemical inhibitors and siRNAs against PI3K/Akt/PKC, p38 MAPK, NF-κB, CEBP and AP-1. Our results clearly demonstrate that the PI3K/PKC, p38 MAPK, NF-κB and AP-1 pathways are involved in HIV-1 Nef-induced IL-6 production in astrocytes, while PI3K/PKC and NF-κB pathways are involved in HIV-1 Nef-induced IL-8 production. These results offer new potential targets to develop therapeutic strategy for treatment of HIV-1 associated neurological disorders, prevalent in > 40% of individuals infected with HIV-1.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Astrocytes / drug effects
  • Astrocytes / metabolism*
  • Astrocytes / pathology
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Fetus
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • HIV-1 / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-6 / genetics*
  • Interleukin-8 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-8 / genetics*
  • NF-kappa B / antagonists & inhibitors
  • NF-kappa B / genetics
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / genetics
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors
  • Primary Cell Culture
  • Protein Kinase C / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Protein Kinase C / genetics
  • Protein Kinase C / metabolism
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Transcription Factor AP-1 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Transcription Factor AP-1 / genetics
  • Transcription Factor AP-1 / metabolism
  • Transfection
  • nef Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / genetics*
  • nef Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / metabolism
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / genetics
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins
  • CEBPA protein, human
  • IL6 protein, human
  • Interleukin-6
  • Interleukin-8
  • NF-kappa B
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Transcription Factor AP-1
  • nef Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
  • nef protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 1
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • Protein Kinase C
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases