HIV-1 Matrix Protein p17 Modulates in Vivo Preactivated Murine T-Cell Response and Enhances the Induction of Systemic and Mucosal Immunity Against Intranasally Co-administered Antigens

HIV-1 p17 is a viral cytokine that acts on preactivated, but not on resting, human T cells promoting proliferation, proinflammatory cytokines release and HIV-1 replication, after binding to a cellular receptor (p17R). Here, we demonstrate that p17Rs are expressed on activated murine T cells, which respond to p17 stimulation similarly to their human counterpart. We developed a mouse model of abortive HSV-1 infection to induce T cell activation in vivo. Preactivated cells expressed p17Rs and were highly susceptible to p17 stimulation, which triggered proinflammatory cytokines release and promoted CD4+ T cell survival and expansion. Coculture of in vivo activated splenocytes with macrophages in the presence of p17 further increased their ability to produce IFN-γ. The presence of macrophages and activated T cells at mucosal sites prompted us to investigate the immunomodulatory activities of p17 in vivo. Intranasal coadministration of p17 with β-galactosidase (β-gal) resulted in improved β-gal specific cellular and humoral immune responses at systemic and mucosal levels. It is well established that HIV-1 replication is driven in an autocrine/paracrine manner by endogenously produced proinflammatory cytokines. Our results highlight the role of p17 in sustaining cellular activation and inflammation, thereby promoting a permissive microenvironment for HIV-1 replication. In addition, p17 is a promising candidate antigen, exhibiting immunomodulatory/adjuvant properties, that need to be exploited in the development of HIV/AIDS vaccines.