IncreasedLeishmaniaReplication in HIV‐1–Infected Macrophages Is Mediated by Tat Protein through Cyclooxygenase‐2 Expression and Prostaglandin E2Synthesis

Protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania frequently occur as opportunistic pathogens in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected individuals, but the mechanisms underlying protozoan growth in this context are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that the HIV-1 Tat protein drives Leishmania replication in primary human macrophages. We found that Leishmania growth doubled in HIV-1-infected macrophages and that anti-Tat antibodies reduced the exacerbated protozoan replication by 70%. Recombinant Tat increased Leishmania replication and overrode the leishmanicidal effect induced by interferon-gamma , allowing Leishmania replication even in the presence of this cytokine. Tat induced cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis, and a COX-2 inhibitor abolished the Tat-mediated augmentation of Leishmania replication. Moreover, PGE2 increased Leishmania growth, which was abrogated by anti-transforming growth factor (TGF)- beta1 monoclonal antibodies. Neutralization of TGF-beta1 reduced parasite growth in Leishmania-infected macrophages exposed to Tat by 50%. Our findings suggest that Tat generates a milieu permissive to Leishmania growth in individuals infected with HIV-1.