Inhibition of HIV-1 Tat Induced Inflammation by the NF-kB Subunit RelB

Davidson, Donna C.

Student Work

Inhibition of HIV-1 Tat Induced Inflammation by the NF-kB Subunit RelB

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The NF-kappaB (NF-kB)/Rel family of transcription factors serves an important regulatory role in the production of immune responses and inflammation. The NF-kB family member RelB displays unusual properties in comparison to the other family members, as it exudes inhibitory effects on the pathway along with its traditional function of transcription initiation. Luciferase assays and TNFa ELISAs were used to determine if RelB represses transcriptional activity of NF-kB in a subunit-specific manner, and also to determine if RelB is able to attenuate NF-kB activity in response to HIV-encoded Tat. This in turn would lead to decreased TNFa synthesis. The outcome may have therapeutic potential in the context of neuroAIDS.

This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

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