Date Published:
2011 Apr 1

Publication Type:
Journal Article

Authors:

C. Bethel-Brown
H. Yao
S. Callen
Y.Han Lee
P.K. Dash
A. Kumar
S. Buch

Secondary:
J Immunol

Volume:
186

Pagination:
4119-29

Issue:
7

PMID:
21368226

URL:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21368226

DOI:
10.4049/jimmunol.1002235

Keywords:
Animals;Astrocytes;Cell Line, Tumor;Cell Proliferation;Early Growth Response Protein 1;External;HIV-1;Humans;Inflammation Mediators;Platelet-Derived Growth Factor;Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis;Rats;Rats, Sprague-Dawley;Recombinant Proteins;tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus;Up-Regulation

Abstract:
<p>HIV-associated neurologic disorders (HAND) are estimated to affect almost 60% of HIV-infected individuals. HIV encephalitis, the pathologic correlate of the most severe form of HAND, is often characterized by glial activation, cytokine-chemokine dysregulation, and neuronal damage and loss. However, the severity of HIV encephalitis correlates better with glial activation rather than viral load. Using the macaque model, it has been demonstrated that SIV encephalitis correlates with increased expression of the mitogen platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) B chain in the brain. The goal of this study was to explore the role of PDGF-B chain in HIV-associated activation and proliferation of astrocytes. Specifically, the data demonstrate that exposure of rat and human astrocytes to the HIV-1 protein Tat resulted in the induction of PDGF at both the mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, PDGF-BB induction was regulated by activation of ERK1/2 and JNK signaling pathways and the downstream transcription factor early growth response 1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated binding of Egr-1 to the PDGF-B promoter. Exposure of astrocytes to PDGF-BB in turn led to increased proliferation and the release of proinflammatory cytokines MCP-1 and IL-1β. Because astrogliosis is linked to disease severity, understanding its regulation by PDGF-BB could aid in the development of therapeutic intervention strategies for HAND.</p>