The vpu protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 plays a protective role against virus-induced apoptosis in primary CD4(+) T lymphocytes.

ABSTRACT: Previous data revealed that primary cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were killed by apoptosis at higher rates after infection with two CRF01_AE primary isolates of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) than after infection with five other CRF01_AE primary isolates, five subtype B primary isolates, and two subtype B laboratory strains. Here, we show evidence that mutations at the vpu gene which were exclusively identified only in the two CRF01_AE isolates mentioned above are involved in their abilities to induce massive apoptosis in primary CD4(+) T lymphocytes. The rates of virus production by these two isolates in the culture media of infected PBMCs were lower (the same as those of the other CRF01_AE isolates) than those of the subtype B isolates. To confirm th

SUBMITTER: Komoto S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC228500 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature