Nerve growth factor is an autocrine factor essential for the survival of macrophages infected with HIV |
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Authors: | Garaci E Caroleo M C Aloe L Aquaro S Piacentini M Costa N Amendola A Micera A Caliò R Perno C F Levi-Montalcini R |
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Affiliation: | Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy. |
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Abstract: | Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a neurotrophin with the ability to exert specific effects on cells of the immune system. Human monocytes/macrophages (M/M) infected in vitro with HIV type 1 (HIV-1) are able to produce substantial levels of NGF that are associated with enhanced expression of the high-affinity NGF receptor (p140 trkA) on the M/M surface. Treatment of HIV-infected human M/M with anti-NGF Ab blocking the biological activity of NGF leads to a marked decrease of the expression of p140 trkA high-affinity receptor, a concomitant increased expression of p75(NTR) low-affinity receptor for NGF, and the occurrence of apoptotic death of M/M. Taken together, these findings suggest a role for NGF as an autocrine survival factor that rescues human M/M from the cytopathic effect caused by HIV infection. |
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