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Immunodetection of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Vpr in brain tissue of HIV-1 encephalitic patients

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Abstract

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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Pittsburgh, GSPH, 439 Parran Hall, 130 Desoto Street, 15261, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Elizabeth D. A. Wheeler & Velpandi Ayyavoo

  2. Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

    Cristian L. Achim

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  1. Elizabeth D. A. Wheeler
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  2. Cristian L. Achim
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  3. Velpandi Ayyavoo
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Correspondence to Velpandi Ayyavoo.

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This work was supported in part by grant from NIH AI50463 to VA.

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Wheeler, E.D.A., Achim, C.L. & Ayyavoo, V. Immunodetection of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Vpr in brain tissue of HIV-1 encephalitic patients. Journal of NeuroVirology 12, 200–210 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1080/13550280600827377

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13550280600827377

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