RESUMO
The negative factor (Nef) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an accessory protein that is thought to be integral to HIV-associated immune- and neuroimmune pathogenesis. Here, we show that nef-transfected microglia-released Nef+ exosome (exNef) disrupts the apical blood-brain barrier (BBB) and that only nef-transfected microglia release Nef in exosomes. nef-gfp-transduced neurons and astrocytes release exosomes but did not release exNef in the extracellular space. Apical administration of exNef derived from nef-transfected 293T cells reduced transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and increased permeability of the BBB. Microglia-derived exNef applied to either the apical/basal BBB significantly reduced expression of the tight junction protein, ZO-1, suggesting a mechanism of exNef-mediated neuropathogenesis. Microglia exposed to exNef release elevated levels of Toll-like receptor-induced cytokines and chemokines IL-12, IL-8, IL-6, RANTES, and IL-17A. Magnetic nanoparticle delivery of Nef peptides containing the Nef myrisolation site across an in vitro BBB ultimately reduced nef-transfected microglia release of Nef exosomes and prevented the loss of BBB integrity and permeability as measured by TEER and dextran-FITC transport studies, respectively. Overall, we show that exNef is released from nef-gfp-transfected microglia; exNef disrupts integrity and permeability, and tight junctions of the BBB, and induces microglial cytokine/chemokine secretion. These exNef-mediated effects were significantly restricted by Nef peptides. Taken together, this study provides preliminary evidence of the role of exNef in HIV neuroimmune pathogenesis and the feasibility of a nanomedicine-based therapeutics targeting exNef to treat HIV-associated neuropathogenesis.
Assuntos
Portadores de Fármacos/farmacologia , Exossomos/metabolismo , Microglia/efeitos dos fármacos , Peptídeos/farmacologia , Produtos do Gene nef do Vírus da Imunodeficiência Humana/genética , Barreira Hematoencefálica/efeitos dos fármacos , Barreira Hematoencefálica/metabolismo , Linhagem Celular , Quimiocina CCL5/genética , Quimiocina CCL5/imunologia , Células Endoteliais/citologia , Células Endoteliais/efeitos dos fármacos , Células Endoteliais/metabolismo , Escherichia coli/genética , Escherichia coli/metabolismo , Regulação da Expressão Gênica , Genes Reporter , Proteínas de Fluorescência Verde/genética , Proteínas de Fluorescência Verde/metabolismo , Células HEK293 , HIV-1/química , Humanos , Interleucinas/genética , Interleucinas/imunologia , Nanopartículas de Magnetita/química , Microglia/citologia , Microglia/metabolismo , Modelos Biológicos , Peptídeos/síntese química , Transdução de Sinais , Transfecção , Transgenes , Produtos do Gene nef do Vírus da Imunodeficiência Humana/antagonistas & inibidores , Produtos do Gene nef do Vírus da Imunodeficiência Humana/metabolismo , Produtos do Gene nef do Vírus da Imunodeficiência Humana/farmacologiaRESUMO
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) envelope glycoprotein protein 120 (gp120) induces neurotoxicity associated with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Mechanism of Gp120-mediated neurotoxicity is primarily apoptosis. Currently, there are no therapeutics that address gp120 neurotoxicity. A biocompatible, efficacious therapeutic that easily crosses the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is needed to treat neuronal toxicity observed in HIV-infected individuals. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have successfully delivered anti-HIV agents across in vitro BBB transwell model. However, MNPs at high doses may damage cells. Exosomal extracellular vesicles (xEVs) are endogenous nanocarriers capable of crossing the BBB. Unlike MNPs, xEVs interact with cells in a paracrine or juxtracrine manner, lacking long-range site specificity. Here we investigated the efficacy of an MNP and xEV-coupled therapeutic (M-NEXT) as a nanocarrier for targeted delivery of anti-HIV fusion agent across the BBB to inhibit HIV-gp120 associated neuropathology. M-NEXT consisting of MNPs encapsulated within xEV carrying T20 peptide on the surface was synthesized and characterized via zeta potential, dynamic light scattering, and TEM imaging. Preliminary efficacy studies using SH-SY5Y cocultured with the in vitro BBB model showed that the M-NEXT-T20-fusion peptide protected neurons from HIV gp120-mediated neurotoxicity. Additionally, BBB integrity and permeability assessed via trans-endothelial resistance (TEER) and a Dextran-FITC transport assay was unaffected. SH-SY5Y viability measured by XTT assay was not significantly modulated by M-NEXT. In summary, preliminary findings support M-NEXT as effective nanocarriers for delivery of anti-HIV gp120 associated neurotoxicity agents.