HIV-Tat elicits microglial glutamate release: Role of NAPDH oxidase and the cystine-glutamate antiporter

▶ HIV-Tat triggers the release of significant amounts of the excitatory amino acid glutamate from cultured microglia. ▶ Tat-induced glutamate release involves activation of p38 and p42/44 MAPK signal transduction pathway. ▶ Tat-induced glutamate release depends on activation of NADPH oxidase, and is mediated through the xc− cystine-glutamate antiporter.