Figure 5.

HIV Gag protein shortens telomere length by diminishing telomerase, AKT, and ATM activities in primary CD4 T cells. (A–F) Primary CD4 T cells were incubated with supernatants derived from 7-day culture of HIV-infected or uninfected cells in the presence of HIV-entry blockers (Enfuvirtide and Maraviroc) for 3, 5, and 7 days, followed by measuring telomere length, telomerase, pAKT, pATM, γH2AX, and Av/7AAD by flow cytometry. (G) Representative overlaid histograms and summary data of the median fluorescence intensity (MFI) of telomere length in Gag-treated and untreated CD4 T cells at days 3, 5, and 7, measured by Flow-FISH. (H–J) Representative dot plots and summary % of the hTERT, pAKT, and pATM expressions in Gag-treated and untreated CD4 T cells at days 3, 5, and 7. (K–M) Positive correlation between the MFI of telomere length and the % of hTERT, pATM, and hTERT, as well as pATM expression and telomere length in CD4 T cells with or without Gag treatment. (N–P) Summary data of the % of CD25⁺, γH2AX⁺, and Av⁺ cells in CD4 T cells treated with or without HIV Gag.