Research
The contribution of peroxynitrite generation in HIV replication in human primary macrophages
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* Corresponding author: Vincenzo Mollace mollace@unicz.it
- † Equal contributors
1 Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
2 Department of Pharmaco-Biology, University of Calabria, Rende(CS), Italy
3 Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Roccelletta di Borgia, Catanzaro, Italy
4 San Raffaele Pisana IRCCS, Rome, Italy
5 IBPM-CNR, Rome, Italy
6 Istitute Mondino-Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
Retrovirology 2007, 4:76 doi:10.1186/1742-4690-4-76
Published: 21 October 2007Abstract
Background
Monocytes/Macrophages (M/M) play a pivotal role as a source of virus during the whole course of HIV-1 infection. Enhanced oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection. HIV-1 regulatory proteins induce a reduction of the expression and the activity of MnSOD, the mitochondrial isoform leading to a sustained generation of superoxide anions and peroxynitrite that represent important mediators of HIV-1 replication in M/M. MnTBAP (Mn(III)tetrakis(4-benzoic acid)porphrin chloride), a synthetic peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst, reduced oxidative stress subsequent to peroxynitrite generation.
Results
Virus production was assessed by p24 ELISA, western blot, and electron microscopy during treatment with MnTBAP. MnTBAP treatment showed a reduction of HIV-1 replication in both acutely and chronically infected M/M: 99% and 90% inhibition of p24 released in supernatants compared to controls, respectively. Maturation of p55 and p24 was strongly inhibited by MnTBAP in both acutely and chronically infected M/M. EC50 and EC90 are 3.7 (± 0.05) μM and 19.5 (± 0.5) μM, in acutely infected M/M; 6.3 (± 0.003) μM and 30 (± 0.6) μM, in chronically infected M/M. In acutely infected peripheral blood limphocytes (PBL), EC50 and EC90 are 7.4 (± 0.06) μM and of 21.3 (± 0.6) μM, respectively. Treatment of acutely-infected M/M with MnTBAP inhibited the elevated levels of malonildialdehyde (MDA) together with the nitrotyrosine staining observed during HIV-1 replication. MnTBAP strongly reduced HIV-1 particles in infected M/M, as shown by electron microscopy. Moreover, in presence of MnTBAP, HIV-1 infectivity was reduced of about 1 log compared to control.
Conclusion
Results support the role of superoxide anions in HIV-1 replication in M/M and suggest that MnTBAP may counteract HIV-1 replication in combination with other antiretroviral treatments.