[HIV-1 Nef regulates ICAM-1 expression on endothelial cells via Erk /Mapk signaling pathway]

To explore the effect of HIV-1 Nef on the ICAM-1 expression of endothelial cells ECV-304 and its signaling pathways.

ICAM-1 expression on the endothelial cells ECV-304 was detected by Western blot and FCM assay. Kinase inhibitor PD98059 was used in the cells to analyze the ERK signaling pathway.

Western blot showed that ICAM-1 and p-ERK protein expression increased in Nef expressed ECV304 cells (ECV304-Nef) and FCM results showed that the percentage of ICAM-1 positive cells in ECV304-Nef and control cells was (35.3+/-2.2)% and (12.5+/-0.8)% respectively (P>0.01). p-ERK inhibitor PD98059 almost completely blocked the Nef up-regulation of the p-ERK and ICAM-1. When p-ERK inhibitor was added, the percentage of ICAM-1 positive cells in ECV304-Nef (11.4+/-1.1)% was reduced to the level of the control cells (10.4+/-1.5)% (P>0.05).

Erk/Mapk signaling pathway may contribute to the over-expression of adhesion molecules ICAM-1 gene in HIV-1 Nef positive cells. These findings may provide the basis for further research on the mechanism and treatment of HIV-1 infection.