ENHANCEMENT OF HIV1 REPLICATION BY HHV8 VIL6

University Of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles CA

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

DESCRIPTION: (Adapted from Applicant's Abstract) HHV-8 is a human herpesvirus, also known as KSHV, which has been shown to encode a homologue of the human cytokine, IL-6. Human IL-6 (huIL6), levels of which are elevated in HIV infection, is known to be a potent enhancer of HIV replication in monocytes, but not T-cells. In their preliminary studies, the applicants have also seen that vIL6 is capable of inducing latent HIV-l in the monocytic cell line, Ul. The first specific aim is to extend and confirm this observation by examining the effects of vIL6 on HIV infection in primary monocytes and T-cells, as well as in cell lines containing HIV-1, and its potential to interact with inflammatory cytokines. The second aim is to investigate the signaling pathways used by huIL6 and vIL6 in monocytes and T-cells by studying components of the known huIL6 signaling pathways, specifically, the JAK/STAT and MAPK/NF- IL6 pathways, as well as cellular inhibitors of huIL6 such as the SSIs and PIAS3. These studies will provide information about the potential role of HHV-8 in HIV disease, as well as the role of cytokines in HIV replication and transcription in monocytes and T-cells.