Concentration-dependent differential induction of necrosis or apoptosis byHIV-1 lytic peptide 1

The mechanism by which human immunodeficiency virus type 1 induces depletio n of CD4(+) T-lymphocytes remains controversial, but may involve cytotoxic viral proteins. Synthetic peptides (lentivirus lytic peptide type 1) corres ponding to the carboxyl terminus of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 transmembrane glycoprotein induce cytopathology at concentrations of 100 n M and above. At these concentrations lentivirus lytic peptide type 1 disrup ts mitochondrial integrity of CD4(+) T-lymphoblastoid cells and induces oth er changes characteristic of necrosis. In contrast, at concentrations of 20 nM, lentivirus lyric peptide type 1 potently induces apoptosis. Thus, the mechanism by which human immunodeficiency virus type 1 mediates cell death, necrosis or apoptosis, may depend, in part, on the tissue concentration of transmembrane glycoprotein. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights rese rved.