       Document 0404
 DOCN  M9620404
 TI    Neuronal expression of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 env proteins
       in transgenic mice: distribution in the central nervous system and
       pathological alterations.
 DT    9602
 AU    Berrada F; Ma D; Michaud J; Doucet G; Giroux L; Kessous-Elbaz A;
       Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of; Montreal,
       Quebec, Canada.
 SO    J Virol. 1995 Nov;69(11):6770-8. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/96013771
 AB    It is now well documented that human immunodeficiency virus type 1
       (HIV-1) induces encephalopathy in patients with AIDS. In vitro studies
       have implicated the envelope protein (gp120) as a factor which causes
       neuronal death. To better evaluate the role and elucidate the mechanisms
       of gp120 neurotoxicity, we have developed transgenic mice carrying a
       segment of the HIV-1 genome that expresses the viral gp160 protein under
       the control of the human neurofilament light gene promoter. In two
       separate lines of transgenic mice, the Env protein was found to be
       expressed in several nuclei of the brain stem and in the anterior horns
       of the spinal cord. The two lines showed identical patterns of Env
       expression. Neuropathological evaluation revealed numerous abnormal
       dendritic swellings in the immunostained motor neuron structures. Large
       and numerous neuritic swellings were also prominent in the nucleus
       gracilis and in the gracilis and cuneate fascicles. In addition,
       reactive astrocytosis was observed in several immunoreactive areas of
       the central nervous system. These transgenic mice offer a unique model
       to further investigate the role of HIV-1 Env protein in neuronal
       toxicity and to help elucidate the mechanisms that are involved.
 DE    Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*METABOLISM/PATHOLOGY  Animal
       Central Nervous System/METABOLISM/PATHOLOGY/*VIROLOGY  Gene Expression
       Gene Products, env/*BIOSYNTHESIS  Genes, env  Hela Cells  Human  HIV
       Envelope Protein gp120/*BIOSYNTHESIS  HIV-1/GENETICS/*METABOLISM  Mice
       Mice, Transgenic  Neurofilament Proteins/GENETICS
       Neurons/METABOLISM/PATHOLOGY/*VIROLOGY  Promoter Regions (Genetics)
       Restriction Mapping  Spinal Cord/METABOLISM/PATHOLOGY/VIROLOGY  Support,
       Non-U.S. Gov't  Transfection  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

