FIBRONECTIN MODULATES ENDOTHELIAL RESPONSE TO HIV TYPE-1 TAT

The normal function of the endothelium is impaired in HIV-1 infection, Disturbances of the local cytokines as well as the release of HIV-1 T at by infected mononuclear cells play a role in endothelial dysfunctio n, We studied the effects of Tat on the human endothelial ECV cell lin e, In this system, Tat inhibited cell proliferation only in the presen ce of fibronectin as a culture substrate, whereas it did not modulate plasminogen activator activity, cell migration, or synthesis of fibron ectin, Because amino acids 49-57 contains a nuclear translocation sequ ence, we also evaluated the potential intracellular role of Tat in tat -transfected ECV cells, tat transfectants showed inhibition of cell gr owth, unaffected cell migration and plasminogen activator activity, an d a significant induction of the expression of fibronectin.