| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6141065 | Virology | 2013 | 9 Pages |
Interleukin 2-inducible T cell kinase (ITK) influences T cell signaling by coordinating actin polymerization and polarization as well as recruitment of kinases and adapter proteins. ITK regulates multiple steps of HIV-1 replication, including virion assembly and release. Fluorescent microscopy was used to examine the functional interactions between ITK and HIV-1 Gag during viral particle release. ITK and Gag colocalized at the plasma membrane and were concentrated at sites of F-actin accumulation and membrane lipid rafts in HIV-1 infected T cells. There was polarized staining of ITK, Gag, and actin towards sites of T cell conjugates. Small molecule inhibitors of ITK disrupted F-actin capping, perturbed Gag-ITK colocalization, inhibited virus like particle release, and reduced HIV replication in primary human CD4+ T cells. These data provide insight as to how ITK influences HIV-1 replication and suggest that targeting host factors that regulate HIV-1 egress provides an innovative strategy for controlling HIV infection.
⺠ITK, HIV Gag and F-actin colocalize at membrane rafts in HIV infected cells. ⺠Small chemical inhibitors disrupt the colocalization of ITK, Gag and F-actin. ⺠Chemical inhibitors decrease the release of virus like particles. ⺠Targeting ITK provides an innovative strategy for controlling HIV replication.
