Cutting Edge: Activation of HIV-1 Transcription by the MHC Class II Transactivator

Abstract

Both macrophages and activated CD4+ T cells can be productively infected by HIV-1, and both cell types express MHC class II molecules. Expression of MHC class II proteins in these cells is regulated by a specific transcriptional coactivator, the class II transactivator (CIITA). In this study, we report for the first time that CIITA expression profoundly influences HIV-1 replication. Stable expression of CIITA in Jurkat cells markedly increased 1) HIV-1 replication as assessed by the p24 Ag production and 2) luciferase expression after transfection with full-length provirus or long terminal repeat constructs. Similarly, transient expression of CIITA increased provirus expression as well as long terminal repeat promoter activity in 293 and HeLa-T4 cells. In contrast, mutant forms of CIITA did not increase HIV-1 expression. This study shows that expression of CIITA increases HIV-1 replication through a transcriptional mechanism.