close

HIV type 1 Nef promotes neoplastic transformation of immortalized neural cells

Kramer-Hammerle, S.; Kohleisen, B.; Hohenadl, C.; Shumay, E.; Becker, I.; Erfle, V.; Schmidt, J.

AIDS research and human retroviruses

2001-05-01 / vol 17 / pages 597-602

Abstract

To study the effects of HIV-1 Nef on CNS-derived cells in vivo, an expression system based on the murine neural stem cell line C17.2 was established. Stable expression of LAV-1(Bru)-nef in these cells induced a transformed phenotype and enhanced cell growth in soft agar, Further experiments using previously established nef-expressing human astrocytoma cell lines as well as nef-expressing murine fibroblasts suggested a brain cell-specific transforming activity of Nef. After implantation into syngeneic or nude mice both murine and human nef-expressing CNS-derived cells induced tumor development. Interestingly, human astrocytoma cells expressing a Nef mutant carrying a disrupted SH3-binding motif involved in protein-protein interactions failed to induce tumor formation. These in vivo data suggest that Nef promotes neoplastic transformation of immortalized murine neural stem cells and enhances malignancy of low-tumorigenic human astrocytoma cells, Nef may therefore be involved in the development of AIDS-associated brain tumors.

0889-2229

Tags

activation; growth; aids; astrocytes

Back to all publications