Differences in APOBEC3G Expression in CD4+ T Helper Lymphocyte Subtypes Modulate HIV-1 Infectivity
Author Information
Author(s): Vetter Michael L., Johnson Megan E., Antons Amanda K., Unutmaz Derya, D'Aquila Richard T.
Primary Institution: Vanderbilt University
Hypothesis
The expression of APOBEC3G and APOBEC3F would vary with T helper lymphocyte differentiation.
Conclusion
APOBEC3G and APOBEC3F levels vary physiologically during CD4+ T lymphocyte differentiation, affecting the infectivity of HIV-1.
Supporting Evidence
- Th1 cells expressed greater amounts of APOBEC3G and APOBEC3F than Th2 cells.
- Vif-negative viruses produced from Th2 cells were five-fold more infectious than those produced from Th1 cells.
- Neutralizing anti-IFN-γ antibodies reduced both basal and T cell receptor-stimulated APOBEC3G and APOBEC3F expression.
Takeaway
Different types of immune cells called T helper cells can produce more or less of a protein that helps fight HIV, which affects how easily the virus can infect them.
Methodology
Naive CD4+ T lymphocytes were differentiated into Th1 and Th2 cells and their APOBEC3G and APOBEC3F expression levels were measured using qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis.
Potential Biases
Potential variability in individual donor responses may affect generalizability.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size and variability in assays.
Participant Demographics
Naive CD4+ T cells were derived from five individual HIV-1 negative donors.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=0.0039
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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