Human immunodeficiency virus cysteines

Recently, it has been shown that oxidant stress can induce the expression and replication of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) in a human T cell line [64], The effect was shown to be mediated by the transcription factor NFk,B, which was potently and rapidly activated by exposure of target cells to H2O2. Moreover, the activation of NFkB by a variety of stimuli including phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), calcium ionophores and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFa) was inhibited by the ROI scavenger, N-acetyl cysteine [64]. It was therefore suggested that the formation of ROI was the common mechanism involved in the activation of NFk,B by a variety of agents. 

Abbreviations used in this chapter AZT, 3 -azidothymidine CD, cluster of differentiation CHS, Chediak-Higashi syndrome Con A, concanavalin-A EAE, experimental allergic encephalomyelitis HIV, human immunodeficiency virus HTLV-1, human T-cell leukemia virus-1 IL, interleukin INF, interferon NAC, N-acetyl cysteine NF-kB, neurotrophic factor-k beta PBMC, peripheral blood mononuclear cells PM A, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate PMN, polymorphonuclear neutrophil RT, reverse transcriptase TNF-2 tumor necrosis factor alpha. 

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