INDUCTION OF MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASE-2 IN HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS-1 GLYCOPROTEIN-120 TRANSGENIC MOUSE BRAINS

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 can invade the brain and cause de generation of the central nervous system, resulting in a host of cogni tive and motor impairments. HIV-1 glycoprotein 120 (gp120), has been i mplicated in the neurodegenerative effects of HIV infection. Here, gp1 20's neurotoxic potential is demonstrated in both transgenic mice and cultured cells. We observed that gp120 causes an induction of matrix m etalloproteinase (MMP)-2 activity and protein in transgenic mouse brai ns and in transfected C6 cells. We propose that induced MMP-2 may cont ribute to a neurodegenerative environment by degrading extracellular m atrix (ECM) fibronectin and type IV collagen. (C) 1998 Elsevier Scienc e ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.