HIV-1-infected cells transiently express lentiviral RNA shuttled by exosomes. (February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Arenaccio, Claudia; Cabezas, Sandra Columba; Federico, Maurizio
• Is Part Of: Future virology. Volume 9:Number 2(2014)
• Page Start: 111
• Page End: 121
• Publication Date: 2014-02
• Subjects: exosomes -- green-fluorescent protein -- HIV-1 -- lentiviral vector -- macrophages -- retrotranscription; Virology -- Periodicals; Virus diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; 616.9101
• DOI: 10.2217/fvl.13.126
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1746-0794

Abstract

ABSTRACT: : Aims: Exosomes are lipid bilayer vesicles of 50–100 nm released by basically all cell types. We recently reported that full-length HIV-1 RNA and lentiviral vector (LV) genome associate with exosomes through similar mechanisms. Here, we investigated the fate of lentiviral RNA shuttled by exosomes in target cells.Material & methods: Exosomes from cells transduced by a LV expressing green fluorescent protein under the control of an heterologous promoter were purified by iodixanol gradients and used to evaluate the LV expression in target cells.Results: The genome of LV incorporated in exosomes can be expressed in HIV-1-infected cells, but not in those that are uninfected, despite apparently similar levels of exosome internalization. The expression disappeared 2–3 days after challenge, and was blocked by pre-treatment with azidothymidine.Conclusion: Lentiviral genome incorporated in exosomes can be expressed in target cells having reverse transcriptase activity.