HIV-1 Nef acts in synergy with APOL1-G1 to induce nephrocyte cell death in a new <i>Drosophila</i> model of HIV-related kidney diseases.

ABSTRACT: Background: People carrying two APOL1 risk alleles (RA) G1 or G2 are at greater risk of developing HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN). Studies in transgenic mice showed that the expression of HIV-1 genes in podocytes, and nef in particular, led to HIVAN. However, it remains unclear whether APOL1-RA and HIV-1 Nef interact to induce podocyte cell death. Method: We generated transgenic (Tg) flies that express APOL1-G1 (derived from a child with HIVAN) and HIV-1 nef specifically in the nephrocytes, the fly equivalent of mammalian podocytes, and assessed their individual and combined effects on the nephrocyte filtration structure and function. Results: We found that HIV-1 Nef acts in synergy with APOL1-G1 resulting in nephrocyte str

SUBMITTER: Zhu JY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10942446 | biostudies-literature | 2024 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature