DIABLO/SMAC mimetic loaded TNP induce autophagy-dependent apoptosis of HIV-1-infected macrophages. HIV-1-infected macrophages (HIV-Mφ) transduced with ATG5 siRNA (siATG5), ATG7 siRNA (siATG7), or scrambled siRNA (siNS) were exposed to vehicle, empty TNP (TNP) or DIABLO/SMAC mimetic loaded TNP (LCL-161 or AT-406 at 1 µM) for 4 h. Cells were then washed three times with PBS, and then incubated for a further 24 h in fresh media. (A)
Left, representative western blots of ATG5 (ATG5-ATG12), ATG7, CASP8, cleaved CASP8 (cCASP), LC3B isoforms, PARP1, cleaved PARP1 (cPARP1), SQSTM1, and β-actin (ACTB). Right, densitometric analysis of blots. (B) Aliquots of supernatants were spectrophotometrically tested for LDH as a measure of cell death.