Molecular strategies to inhibit HIV-1 replication

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is the primary cause of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which is a slow, progressive and degenerative disease of the human immune system. The pathogenesis of HIV-1 is complex and characterized by the interplay of both viral and host factors. An intense global research effort into understanding the individual steps of the viral replication cycle and the dynamics during an infection has inspired researchers in the development of a wide spectrum of antiviral strategies. Practically every stage in the viral life cycle and every viral gene product is a potential target. In addition, several strategies are targeting host proteins that play an essential role in the viral life cycle. This review summarizes the main genetic approaches taken in such antiviral strategies

BLTR1 and CD36 Expressing Microvesicles in Atherosclerotic Patients and Healthy Individuals

Aims: Monocytes/macrophages play a crucial role in the development, progression, and complication of atherosclerosis. In particular, foam cell formation driven by CD36 mediated internalization of oxLDL leads to activation of monocytes and subsequent release of microvesicles (MVs) derived from monocytes (MMVs). Further, pro-inflammatory leukotriene B4 (LTB4) derived from arachidonic acid promotes atherosclerosis through the high-affinity receptor BLTR1. Thus, we aimed to investigate the correlation between different MMV phenotypes (CD14+ MVs) on the one hand, and arachidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid contents in different compartments including atherosclerotic plaques, plasma, and granulocytes on the other.Methods and Results: Samples from patients with femoral atherosclerosis and healthy controls were analyzed on an Apogee A60 Micro-PLUS flow cytometer. Platelet-poor plasma was labeled with lactadherin-FITC, anti-CD14-APC, anti-CD36-PE, and anti-BLTR1-AF700. Eicosapentaenoic acid and arachidonic acid content in different compartments in patients were analyzed using gas chromatography. Compared to controls, patients had lower levels of BLTR1+ MVs (p = 0.007), CD14+BLTR1+ MVs (p = 0.007), and CD14+BLTR1+CD36+ MVs (p = 0.001). Further, in patients CD14+ MVs and CD14+CD36+ MVs correlated inversely with arachidonic acid in granulocytes (r = −0.302, p = 0.039 and r = −0.322, p = 0.028, respectively). Moreover, CD14+CD36+ MVs correlated inversely with arachidonic acid in plasma phospholipids in patients (r = −0.315, p = 0.029), and positively with triglyceride in both patients (r = 0.33, p = 0.019) and controls (r = 0.46, p = 0.022).Conclusion: This is the first study of its kind and thus the results are explorative and only indicative. BLTR1+ MVs and CD14+CD36+ MVs has potential as markers of atherosclerosis pathophysiology, but this needs further investigation

In vitro Incubation of Platelets with oxLDL Does Not Induce Microvesicle Release When Measured by Sensitive Flow Cytometry

Microvesicles (MVs) are submicron vesicles with sizes of 0.1–1.0 μm in diameter, released from various cell types upon activation or apoptosis. Their involvement in a variety of diseases has been intensively investigated. In blood, platelets are potent MV secretors, and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL), a platelet ligand, induces platelet activation and thus potentially MV secretion. This interaction occurs through binding of oxLDL with CD36, located on the platelet membrane. In this study, we investigated the effect of in vitro incubation of platelets with oxLDL on MV release. Furthermore, we compared the results obtained when separating MVs larger than 0.5 μm as a measure of results obtained from less sensitive conventional flow cytometers with MVs below the 0.5 μm limit. MV size distribution was analyzed in plasma from 11 healthy volunteers (four females and seven males). MVs were identified as <1 μm and positive for lactadherin binding and cell-specific markers. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) was incubated without and with oxLDL or LDL (as control) to investigate the impact on platelet activation, evident by release of MVs. Size-calibrated fluorescent beads were used to establish the MV gate, and separate small- and large-size vesicles. CD41(+) and CD41(+)CD36(+) MVs increased by six to eightfold in PRP, when left at room temperature, and the presence of cell-specific markers increased. Total MV count was unaffected. Incubations with oxLDL did not increase the MV release or affect the distribution of small- and large-size MVs. We found a large interindividual variation in the fraction of small- and large-size MVs of 73%. In conclusion, we propose that procoagulant activity and activation of platelets induced by interaction of platelet CD36 with oxLDL may not involve release of MVs. Furthermore, our results demonstrate great interindividual variability in size distribution of platelet-derived MVs and thereby stress the importance for generation of standardized protocols for MV quantification by flow cytometry