HIV-1 Vpr Does Not Inhibit CTL-Mediated Apoptosis of HIV-1 Infected Cells

Vpr is preferentially targeted by CTL during HIV-1 infection.

The HIV-1 accessory proteins Vpr, Vpu, and Vif are essential for viral replication, and their cytoplasmic production suggests that they should be processed for recognition by CTLs. However, the extent to which these proteins are targeted in natural infection, as well as precise CTL epitopes within them, remains to be defined. In this study, CTL responses against HIV-1 Vpr, Vpu, and Vif were ana...

HIV-1 Vpr causes neuronal apoptosis and in vivo neurodegeneration.

Despite the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy, dementia caused by human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection remains a devastating and common neurological disorder. Although the mechanisms governing neurodegeneration during HIV-1 infection remain uncertain, the HIV-1 accessory protein, viral protein R (Vpr), has been proposed as a neurotoxic protein. Herein, we report t...

Monocytic Cells Induction of Apoptosis by HIV-1-Infected

Uncovering HIV-1-infected cells

It has been known for more than 30 years that Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 (HIV-1) infection drives a very potent B cell response resulting in the production of anti-HIV-1 antibodies targeting several viral proteins, particularly its envelope glycoproteins (Env) which are exposed at the surface of viral particles and infected cells [1]. Enthusiasm by the generation of these anti-Env antibodie...

HIV-1 Vpr-Induced Apoptosis Is Cell Cycle Dependent and Requires Bax but Not ANT

The HIV-1 accessory protein viral protein R (Vpr) causes G2 arrest and apoptosis in infected cells. We previously identified the DNA damage-signaling protein ATR as the cellular factor that mediates Vpr-induced G2 arrest and apoptosis. Here, we examine the mechanism of induction of apoptosis by Vpr and how it relates to induction of G2 arrest. We find that entry into G2 is a requirement for Vpr...