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

Figure 3

Role of Ras signaling in HIV-1 Tat-induced changes in NEP. Exposure to HIV-1 Tat resulted in marked decreases in NEP protein (a) and mRNA (b) and weaker immunoreactivity (c) compared with the control group. Prior to HIV-1 Tat exposure, cells were pretreated with 5 μmol/L FTS for 3 h with FTS in the culture medium. NEP protein and mRNA levels and immunoreactivity significantly increased with coexposure to FTS and HIV-1 Tat compared with the HIV-1 Tat group. Data are expressed as means ± standard error of the mean ( for (a), for (b)). , versus that in the control; ^#, ^## versus that in HIV-1 Tat.

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