HIV-1 Nef-mediated inhibition of T cell migration and its molecular determinants

J Leukoc Biol. 2009 Nov;86(5):1171-8. doi: 10.1189/jlb.0409261. Epub 2009 Jul 29.

Abstract

Lymphocyte trafficking is a multistep, intricate process and involves a number of host factors such as integrins and chemokine receptors on lymphocytes, adhesion molecules on endothelial cells, and chemokines present in the local microenvironment. Previous studies have shown that HIV-1 Nef inhibits T cell chemotaxis in response to the physiological ligand SDF-1alpha [( 1) ]. In this study, we aimed to gain a better understanding of the inhibitory mechanisms and to define the molecular determinants of HIV-1 Nef for this phenotype. We showed that HIV-1 Nef inhibited transwell and transendothelial migration of T cells. Specifically, HIV-1 Nef protein impaired T cell chemotaxis toward SDF-1alpha without altering CXCR4 expression. Moreover, we showed that HIV-1 Nef protein down-modulated LFA-1 expression on T lymphocytes and diminished adhesion and polarization of T lymphocytes and as a result, led to decreased migration across the endothelium. Furthermore, we showed that the myristoylation site and DeltaSD domain played important roles in Nef-mediated inhibition of transwell and transendothelial migration and polarization of T lymphocytes; however, different sites or domains were needed for Nef-mediated LFA-1 down-modulation and impaired adhesion of T lymphocyte. Taken together, these results demonstrated that HIV-1 Nef inhibited T lymphocyte migration at multiple steps and suggest that membrane localization and intracellular signaling events likely contribute to the inhibitory effects of Nef on T cell migration and subsequently, the pathobiology of the HIV-1 Nef protein.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / immunology*
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / virology
  • Cell Movement
  • Chemotaxis, Leukocyte
  • DNA Primers
  • Endothelium, Vascular / immunology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / virology
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gene Amplification
  • Genes, Reporter
  • HIV-1 / genetics
  • HIV-1 / pathogenicity*
  • Humans
  • Jurkat Cells / virology
  • Mutation
  • Restriction Mapping
  • Signal Transduction
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / physiology
  • T-Lymphocytes / virology
  • nef Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / genetics
  • nef Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / immunology
  • nef Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / physiology*

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • nef Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
  • nef protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 1