Research articleThe role of autophagy in THP-1 macrophages resistance to HIV- vpr-induced apoptosis

•HIV Vpr is able to trigger autophagy in transfected THP-1 macrophages.•Autophagy inhibition increases vpr-transfected THP1-macrophages apoptosis.•Autophagy is involved in THP-1 macrophages resistant to vpr-induced apoptosis.

Macrophages are resistant to cell death and are one of HIV reservoirs. HIV viral protein Vpr has the potential to promote infection of and survival of macrophages, which could be a highly significant factor in the development and/or maintenance of macrophage viral reservoirs. However, the impact of vpr on macrophages resistance to apoptosis is yet to be comprehended. Autophagy is a cell survival mechanism under stress state. In this study, we investigated whether autophagy is involved in macrophages resistant to vpr-induced apoptosis. Using the THP1 macrophages, we studied the interconnection between macrophages resistance to apoptosis and autophagy. We found that vpr is able to trigger autophagy in transfected THP-1 macrophages confirmed by electron microscopy (EM) and western blot analysis, and inhibition of autophagy with 3MA increased vpr-induced apoptosis. The results indicate that autophagy may be responsible for maintenance of macrophage HIV reservoirs.