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HIV‐1 Nef protein‐induced apoptotic cytolysis of a broad spectrum of uninfected human blood cells independently of CD95(Fas)
Author(s) -
Okada Harue,
Takei Ryoichi,
Tashiro Masato
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/s0014-5793(97)01080-6
Subject(s) - cytolysis , peripheral blood mononuclear cell , apoptosis , fas receptor , cd8 , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , immune system , antibody , concanavalin a , programmed cell death , cytotoxic t cell , chemistry , immunology , in vitro , biochemistry
The Nef protein of HIV‐1 binds to uninfected CD4 + T lymphocytes and induces apoptotic cytolysis of the cells. We examined several human blood cell lines and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) for Nef‐induced apoptotic cell death. Soluble Nef protein was shown to bind to the cell surface of not only CD4 + T cells but also CD8 + T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, macrophages and neutrophils. PBMCs from normal subjects resisted Nef binding, and activation of the cells with phytohemagglutinin or concanavalin A converted the cells to be susceptible to the binding. Cross‐linking of the Nef proteins bound to the cell surfaces with anti‐Nef antibody‐induced apoptotic cytolysis of the cells. The Nef‐mediated apoptosis occurred independently of CD95(Fas). These results suggest that soluble Nef protein, which is found in sera of HIV‐1 infected patients, is involved in the destruction of a broad spectrum of uninfected blood cells leading to immune suppression.