HIV-1 Infection and the PPAR𝛾-Dependent Control of Adipose Tissue Physiology

Figure 1

Schematic representation of the potential effects of HIV-1 infection on PPARγ-mediated pathways in adipocytes and macrophages. HIV-1 infection of macrophages may lead to the synthesis of HIV-1 encoded proteins, that is, Vpr, with negative effects on the expression of PPARγ target genes. This may lead to reduced expression of anti-inflammatory genes as well as promotion of HIV-1 replication. Release of HIV-1-encoded proteins as well as enhanced production of inflammatory cytokines, that is, TNFα and other, by macrophages as a consequence of HIV-1 infection may lead to impaired PPARγ action in adipocytes and preadipocytes, thus impairing adipogenesis and fat accretion. Direct effects of HIV-1 infection in line with what happens in macrophages cannot be excluded. Similar events to those depicted for macrophages could be considered to occur in endothelial cells or even lymphocytes present in adipose tissue depots as a consequence of HIV-1 infection.