The Contribution of Extracellular Nef to HIV-Induced Pathogenesis

Title:The Contribution of Extracellular Nef to HIV-Induced Pathogenesis

Volume: 17 Issue: 1

Author(s): Eleonora Olivetta, Claudia Arenaccio, Francesco Manfredi, Simona Anticoli and Maurizio Federico

Affiliation:

Keywords: ADAM17, cell signaling, exosomes, HIV-1 infection, nanotubes, Nef.

Abstract: Nef is an accessory protein expressed exclusively in primate lentiviruses. It is devoid of enzymatic activities while interacting with several cell proteins as an adaptor/scaffold protein. Intracellular functions of Nef largely account for many pathogenic effects observed in AIDS disease. Nef, despite lacking known secretory pathways, can be detected in plasma of HIV-1-infected patients at the concentration varing from 5 to 10 ng/ml. Remarkably, the levels of Nef in plasma of HIV patients do not correlate with viral load or number of CD4⁺ T lymphocytes, and persist during antiretroviral therapy. Here, we review literature data describing how Nef can be transmitted from HIV-1- infected cells to bystander ones, and the effects of extracellular Nef in different cell types. Overall, large part of experimental evidences supports the idea that extracellular Nef plays a relevant role in AIDS pathogenesis. Hence, efforts focused on the identification of Nef-inhibiting drugs would be of relevance to establish new therapeutic approaches supporting current antiretroviral therapies.

Cite this article as:

Olivetta Eleonora, Arenaccio Claudia, Manfredi Francesco, Anticoli Simona and Federico Maurizio, The Contribution of Extracellular Nef to HIV-Induced Pathogenesis, Current Drug Targets 2016; 17 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389450116666151001110126