GP120-MEDIATED ALTERATIONS IN ASTROCYTE ION-TRANSPORT

The pathogenesis of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) deme ntia complex (ADC) is unknown. However, recent work indicates that neu rons and astrocytes are functionally compromised by exposure to viral components or cellular factors released from HIV-1-infected macrophage s/microglia. We show that exposure of primary cultured rat astrocytes to the major HIV envelope glycoprotein gp120 results in alterations of ion and solute transport that may contribute to neuronal cell injury.