Journal of Antivirals & Antiretrovirals
Open Access

Monocyte/macrophage cathepsin B interactome in HIV-1 neurocognitive disorders

2^nd International Conference on Retroviruses and Novel Drugs

June 30-July 01, 2016 Cape Town, South Africa

Loyda M Melendez

University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences, USA

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Antivir Antiretrovir

Abstract :

Chronic human immunodeficiency virus type one (HIV-1) infection leads to a spectrum of neurological and cognitive abnormalities, known collectively as HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). HAND remains prevalent, particularly in its milder forms, despite effective combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). The pathogenesis of HAND is thought to involve HIV-infected perivascular macrophages and microglia, whose activation leads to the release of proinflammatory cytokines and other soluble factors toxic to neurons. One factor that may be involved in macrophage-mediated HIV neurotoxicity is cathepsin B, a member of the cysteine protease family. We recently demonstrated that monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) secreted, cathepsin B has increased neurotoxic activity in vitro. In studies of our Hispanic women cohort, we observed increased expression of both cathepsin B and cystatin B in monocytes of women with HAD on cART with no comorbid conditions. Cathepsin B is also upregulated in the CNS of patients with HAND. We hypothesized that cathepsin B is interacting with other proteins that contribute to neurotoxicity. Using immunoprecipitation of cathepsin B in macrophage supernatants and mass spectrometry, we demonstrate that cathepsin B interacts with MMP-9 in uninfected cells but this interaction disappears in HIV infection and develops a new interaction with serum amyloid P component (SAPC). SAPC is related to amyloid deposition in Alzheimer��?s disease (AD). These results suggest that cathepsin B might be involved in amyloidbeta- related inflammatory response, which results in neuronal death. These studies will significantly advance the HIV field by providing new clinical diagnostic tools, new pathways, and possible complementary therapies against HAND.

Biography :

Loyda M Meléndez has completed his PhD and postdoctoral studies from Emory University School of Medicine School of Medicine. She is Professor and director of the Translational Proteomics Center, at the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine. She has published more than 50 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an editorial board member. Her diverse preparation in Medical Technology and Experimental Pathology-Immunology provided her the tools to apply knowledge to uncovering mechanisms of pathogenesis against HIV. Her work is reflected in studies of HIV-infected macrophages and the proteins associated with neuropathogenesis.

Email: loyda.melendez@upr.edu