Investigation for roles and mechanisms of HIV-encoded antisense RNA on the viral latency

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15H06877
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Virology
• Research Institution: National Institute of Infectious Diseases
• Principal Investigator: Kobayashi Mie 国立感染症研究所, 免疫部, 研究員 (00748337)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-08-28 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: アンチセンス鎖RNA / HIV / 潜伏化 / ASP

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The goal of the present study is to elucidate roles and mechanisms of HIV-encoded antisense(AS) RNA on the viral latency. For this purpose, a model HIV was established and infected to T cells for studying expression dynamics of the viral sense and AS RNA at single cell levels by expressions of respective fluorescent proteins. As a result, AS RNAs were shown to be expressed in a portion of the latently infected cells. Then, to investigate differences in the latency between AS RNA-expressing or -nonexpressing latent cells, the two cells were fractionated and treated with latency reversing agents. As results, the AS RNA-expressing latent cells were shown to have low reactivity with latency reversal. These results suggest that AS RNA contributes to maintenance of latency. Moreover, to elucidate the AS RNA expression in wild type HIV infected cells, monoclonal antibodies against Anti-Sense Protein (ASP) translated from AS RNA were established in the present study.

Free Research Field

ウイルス学