Research progress in neurotoxicity of HIV-1 viral protein R / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

ABSTRACT

Viral Protein R (Vpr) is an accessory protein of HIV-1 that increases the infectivity of HIV-1, activates latent viruses, and acts with other accessory proteins. A number of studies have demonstrated the important role of Vpr in the pathogenesis of HIV-1 related neurological diseases. Vpr can disrupt the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, induce neuronal apoptosis, and may be an important causative agent of AIDS dementia syndrome. However, the exact mechanism is still unknown. This review elaborates the neurotoxic effects of HIV-1 Vpr.