Novel single-round PCR and cloning of full-length envelope genes of HIV-1 may yield new insight into biomolecular antibacterial drug development.

Nested or semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with a 'hot start' is the preferred amplification method for full-length, in-frame envelope genes (gp160) of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). This generally follows an extensive screening process. This paper describes an effective single-round PCR method and cloning process for HIV-1 gp160 from clinical samples, and cell and tissue cultures developed during the early stages of construction of a molecular HIV-1 vaccine. The amplification method and cloning process are adaptable to full-length HIV-1, HIV-2, and other viral production processes. Also described within, is one solution to the most-often extensive screening process for inserts containing full-length, in-frame gp160. Of note, was a perceived toxicity of gp160 to bacteria during the culturing and the scaling-up process that created the extensive screening process. The toxicity association was not found with the individual gp160 genes, the gp120 or the gp41 gene, with other viral regions similar or larger in molecular weight to gp160, or with other non-gp160 full-length genes of HIV-1 such as pol and gag genes. The HIV-1 gp160 toxicity issue may provide insight towards the development of the next generation of novel biomolecular drugs against bacterial infections.

HIV-1 gp120 proteins and gp160 peptides are toxic to brain endothelial cells and neurons: possible pathway for HIV entry into the brain and HIV-associated dementia.

Breakdown of the blood-brain barrier is commonly seen in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated dementia, despite the lack of productive HIV-infection of the brain endothelium. Through this damaged blood-brain barrier, HIV and HIV-infected monocytes/macrophages infiltrate the brain and further infect microglia and brain macrophages. Neuronal cell death and dysfunction are the underlying cause of HIV-associated dementia, but no productive HIV-infection of neurons has been documented. It is likely that secreted viral products play a major role in blood-brain barrier damage and neuronal cell death. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of HIV-1 gp160 peptides and gp120 proteins on brain microvascular endothelial cells and neurons from both human and rats. Four of the 7 gp160 peptides tested evoked significant neurotoxicity. Two different full-length recombinant HIV gp120 proteins (HIV-1CM235 gp120 and HIV-1MN gp120) also induced neuronal and brain endothelial cell death, and concentrations as little as 1 ng/ml evoked pronounced morphological changes in these cells and marked cytotoxicity. This study suggests that HIV proteins and peptides that are shed in vivo may be directly involved in blood-brain barrier damage and neuronal cell death in HIV-associated dementia.

HIV-1 gp160 envelope protein modulates proliferation and apoptosis in mesangial cells.

Mesangial cell (MC) hyperplasia and accumulation of extracellular matrix are the predominant features of HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN). Since mice transgenic for HIV-1 genes show renal lesions mimicking HIVAN, we studied the effect of HIV-1 gp160 protein on cultured murine MC (MMC) proliferation and apoptosis. HIV-1 gp160 protein stimulated (p < 0.001) MMC proliferation when compared with control MMCs. This effect of gp160 protein peaked at a concentration of 0.01 microg/ml. MMCs treated with a higher concentration of gp160 protein (0.1 microg/ml) or for a prolonged period of time (72 h) showed apoptosis rather than cell proliferation. These studies were further confirmed by DNA fragmentation and end labeling assays. gp160 also enhanced apoptosis in human MCs. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha enhanced (p < 0.001) MMC apoptosis, and anti-TNF-alpha antibodies inhibited gp160-induced MMC apoptosis. In addition, gp160 protein attenuated MMC expression of Bcl-2 mRNA expression. These results suggest that gp160-induced apoptosis may be affected in part by the release of TNF-alpha and associated with attenuated mRNA expression of Bcl-2 by MMCs.