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Published on: January 12, 2016
[Effect of HIV-1gp41 ectodomain on Cryptococcus neoformans-induced cytoskeletal changes in human brain microvascular
Min LONG1, Hong CAO, Ambrose Jong
1Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Public Health and Tropic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. longmin@fimmu.com
Objective:
To study the effect of HIV-1 gp41 ectodomain (gp41-I90) on the cytoskeletal changes in human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) induced by Cryptococcus neoformans.
Methods:
HBMECs were cultured on collagen-coated chamber slide or transwell to allow the formation of cell monolayers. After pre-treatment with gp41-I90 and infection with Cryptococcus neoformans, the HBMECs were examined for the expression of actin or filamin by immunofluorescence assay. HRP permeability of the HBMECs treated with gp41-I90 was detected by ELISA. Transcytosis of Cryptococcus neoformans through the gp41-I90-treated HBMECs was detected by direct counting from a hemocytometer.
Results:
gp41-I90 obviously enhanced the cytoskeletal changes of the HBMECs infected by Cryptococcus neoformans, causing curved and sparse filamentous arrangement of actin and filamin. gp41-I90 treatment also resulted in obviously increased HRP permeability of the cells and transcytosis of Cryptococcus neoformans.
Conclusion:
gp41- I90 enhances Cryptococcus neoformans binding to HBMECs, which is related to its effect in enhancing Cryptococcus neoformans-induced cytoskeletal changes of the cells.
