HIV-1 Transactivator Protein Induces ZO-1 and Neprilysin Dysfunction in Brain Endothelial Cells via the Ras Signaling Pathway

Figure 2

Role of Ras signaling in HIV-1 Tat-induced disruption of ZO-1. Before HIV-1 Tat exposure, HBEC-5i cells were pretreated with 5 μmol/L FTS for 3 h. FTS remained in the culture medium during Tat exposure. The time of Tat exposure was 24 h for western blotting (a) and 12 h for RT-PCR (b). HIV-1 Tat exposure induced decreased ZO-1 protein and mRNA levels in HBEC-5i cells. Following cotreatment with FTS and HIV-1 Tat, ZO-1 protein and mRNA levels were significantly increased compared with those in the HIV-1 Tat group. Data are shown as means ± standard error of the mean ( for (a), for (b)). versus control; ^## versus HIV-1 Tat.

(a)

(b)