Assessment of the HERVs expression profile in human microglia infected with latent HIV-1 before and after latency reversal.

• Grant number: 24/16979-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Biology and Physiology of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Juliana Terzi Maricato
• Grantee: Nathalie Gonçalves Mendes da Silva
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This project aims to analyze the expression profile of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), specifically the HERV-K, HERV-FRD, HERV-W and HERV-H families, in human microglia lineage cells infected with the immunodeficiency virus. latent human type 1 (HIV-1). We also seek to investigate whether the reversal of HIV-1 latency in target cells could be related to the expression of HERVs. Viral production in microglial cells will be evaluated after stimulation with Poly(I:C), a mimic of viral molecular patterns. Furthermore, finally, proteins present in HERVs will be analyzed using western blot. These results may contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms of HIV-1 latency, the immunological response and the role of HERVs in this context.