MODULATIONS OF 92-KDA GELATINASE-B AND ITS INHIBITORS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH HIV-1 INFECTION IN HUMAN MACROPHAGE CULTURES

The macrophage-secreted 92-kDa type IV collagenase and metalloproteina ses play a critical role in cell microenvironment regulation and cell movement. HIV infection of macrophages might be capable of deregulatin g the expression of these gelatinases. Hence, human monocyte-derived-m acrophages were infected by lymphotropic HIV-1/Lai and monocytropic HI V-1/DAS isolates. Gelatinase activity and gelatinase and inhibitor (TI MP, alpha 2M) biosyntheses were evaluated in supernatants and cellular extracts. Our data suggest that HIV infection facilitates gelatinase secretion and intracellular inhibitor retention. These argue for the i ncrease of free proteinase that could degrade barriers, which would pe rmit cell movement and viral dissemination into tissues. (C) 1994 Acad emic Press, Inc.