The contribution of peroxynitrite generation in HIV replication in human primary macrophages

• Published in: Retrovirology Vol. 4; no. 1; p. 76
• Main Authors: Aquaro, Stefano, Muscoli, Carolina, Ranazzi, Alessandro, Pollicita, Michela, Granato, Teresa, Masuelli, Laura, Modesti, Andrea, Perno, Carlo-Federico, Mollace, Vincenzo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 21-10-2007; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Cells, Cultured; Health aspects; HIV (Viruses); HIV Infections - metabolism; HIV Infections - virology; HIV-1 - metabolism; HIV-1 - physiology; Humans; Macrophages; Macrophages - immunology; Macrophages - metabolism; Macrophages - virology; Metalloporphyrins - metabolism; Peroxynitrous Acid - metabolism; Virus Replication - physiology; Italy
• ISSN: 1742-4690; 1742-4690
• DOI: 10.1186/1742-4690-4-76

Monocytes/Macrophages (M/M) play a pivotal role as a source of virus during the whole course of HIV-1 infection. Enhanced oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection. HIV-1 regulatory proteins induce a reduction of the expression and the activity of MnSOD, the mitochondrial isoform leading to a sustained generation of superoxide anions and peroxynitrite that represent important mediators of HIV-1 replication in M/M. MnTBAP (Mn(III)tetrakis(4-benzoic acid)porphrin chloride), a synthetic peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst, reduced oxidative stress subsequent to peroxynitrite generation.
Virus production was assessed by p24 ELISA, western blot, and electron microscopy during treatment with MnTBAP. MnTBAP treatment showed a reduction of HIV-1 replication in both acutely and chronically infected M/M: 99% and 90% inhibition of p24 released in supernatants compared to controls, respectively. Maturation of p55 and p24 was strongly inhibited by MnTBAP in both acutely and chronically infected M/M. EC50 and EC90 are 3.7 (+/- 0.05) microM and 19.5 (+/- 0.5) microM, in acutely infected M/M; 6.3 (+/- 0.003) microM and 30 (+/- 0.6) microM, in chronically infected M/M. In acutely infected peripheral blood limphocytes (PBL), EC50 and EC90 are 7.4 (+/- 0.06) microM and of 21.3 (+/- 0.6) microM, respectively. Treatment of acutely-infected M/M with MnTBAP inhibited the elevated levels of malonildialdehyde (MDA) together with the nitrotyrosine staining observed during HIV-1 replication. MnTBAP strongly reduced HIV-1 particles in infected M/M, as shown by electron microscopy. Moreover, in presence of MnTBAP, HIV-1 infectivity was reduced of about 1 log compared to control.
Results support the role of superoxide anions in HIV-1 replication in M/M and suggest that MnTBAP may counteract HIV-1 replication in combination with other antiretroviral treatments.