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Apelin peptides block the entry of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
M X Zou1, H Y Liu, Y Haraguchi
1Department of Molecular Physiology, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, Maebashi, Japan.
Abstract:
The orphan G protein-coupled receptor APJ has been shown to be a coreceptor for human and simian immunodeficiency virus (HIV and SIV) strains. We have determined that some HIV and SIV strains use APJ as a coreceptor to infect the brain-derived NP-2/CD4 cells. Because apelin is an endogenous ligand for the APJ receptor, we examined the inhibitory effects of apelin peptides on HIV infection, and found that the apelin peptides inhibit the entry of some HIV-1 and HIV-2 into the NP-2/CD4 cells expressing APJ. The inhibitory efficiency has been found to be in the order of apelin-36>apelin-17>apelin-13>apelin-12.
Insights
Apelin peptides inhibit human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) entry into brain cells by blocking the APJ receptor, a coreceptor for certain HIV strains. Apelin-36 showed the highest inhibitory efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- G protein-coupled receptors
Background:
- The orphan G protein-coupled receptor APJ functions as a coreceptor for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV).
- Certain HIV and SIV strains utilize APJ to infect brain-derived NP-2/CD4 cells, highlighting its role in viral entry into neural cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of apelin peptides, endogenous ligands for APJ, to inhibit HIV infection.
- To determine the efficacy of different apelin peptides in blocking HIV entry into APJ-expressing cells.
Main Methods:
- Utilized NP-2/CD4 cells expressing the APJ receptor.
- Assessed the inhibitory effects of various apelin peptides (apelin-36, apelin-17, apelin-13, apelin-12) on HIV-1 and HIV-2 infection.
- Quantified viral entry into cells in the presence of apelin peptides.
Main Results:
- Apelin peptides demonstrated inhibitory effects on the entry of specific HIV-1 and HIV-2 strains into NP-2/CD4 cells expressing APJ.
- The inhibitory efficiency of the apelin peptides followed the order: apelin-36 > apelin-17 > apelin-13 > apelin-12.
- Apelin-36 exhibited the strongest inhibition of HIV entry among the tested peptides.
Conclusions:
- Apelin peptides can effectively inhibit the entry of certain HIV strains into cells via the APJ coreceptor.
- Apelin-36 represents a potent inhibitor of HIV entry, suggesting potential therapeutic applications.
- The findings underscore the role of the APJ receptor in HIV pathogenesis and offer a target for antiviral strategies.