Interacting partners of macrophage-secreted cathepsin B contribute to HIV-induced neuronal apoptosis

AIDS. 2015 Oct 23;29(16):2081-92. doi: 10.1097/QAD.0000000000000823.

Abstract

Objective: HIV-1 infection of macrophages increases cathepsin B secretion and induces neuronal apoptosis, but the molecular mechanism remains unclear.

Design: We identified macrophage-secreted cathepsin B protein interactions extracellularly and their contribution to neuronal death in vitro.

Methods: Cathepsin B was immunoprecipitated from monocyte-derived macrophage supernatants after 12 days postinfection. The cathepsin B interactome was identified by label-free tandem mass spectrometry and compared with uninfected supernatants. Proteins identified were validated by western blot. Neurons were exposed to macrophage-conditioned media in presence or absence of antibodies against cathepsin B and interacting proteins. Apoptosis was measured using TUNEL labeling. Immunohistochemistry of postmortem brain tissue samples from healthy, HIV-infected and Alzheimer's disease patients was performed to observe the ex-vivo expression of the proteins identified.

Results: Nine proteins co-immunoprecipitated differentially with cathepsin B between uninfected and HIV-infected macrophages. Serum amyloid P component (SAPC)-cathepsin B interaction increased in HIV-infected macrophage supernatants, while matrix metalloprotease 9 (MMP-9)-cathepsin B interaction decreased. Pre-treatment of HIV-infected macrophage-conditioned media with antibodies against cathepsin B and SAPC decreased neuronal apoptosis. The addition of MMP-9 antibodies was not neuro-protective SAPC was overexpressed in postmortem brain tissue from HIV-positive neurocognitive impaired patients compared with HIV positive with normal cognition and healthy controls, although MMP-9 expression was similar in all tissues.

Conclusion: Inhibiting SAPC-cathepsin B interaction protects against HIV-induced neuronal death and may help to find alternative treatments for HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis*
  • Cathepsin B / metabolism*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Culture Media, Conditioned
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • HIV Infections / pathology
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • HIV-1 / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Macrophages / immunology*
  • Macrophages / virology*
  • Neurons / drug effects*
  • Neurons / physiology

Substances

  • Culture Media, Conditioned
  • Cathepsin B