Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
Faculty of Medicine
University of Ljubljana

Vrazov trg 2
SI 1000, Ljubljana
Slovenia

Tel (IBK): +386-1-543-7640
Tel (lab): +386-1-543-7652
E-mail: metka.lenassi@mf.uni-lj.si

Laboratory for Extracellular Vesicle Research
PI: Metka Lenassi

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Extracellular vesicles in HIV-1 pathogenesis

(1) We showed that viral protein Nef is released from HIV-infected human T cells, astrocytes and microglia with EVs, which were also detected in the plasma of virally suppressed HIV-infected individuals. With our collaborators, we were the first to propose that EVs can accumulate in CD81 immunopositive organelles that originate from the plasma membrane and not from the endosomal pathway. Nef-containing EVs contribute to the HIV pathogenesis of uninfected cells. Thereby we identified a novel mechanism of communication between HIV and the human host.

(2) Using an in vitro model of latent HIV infection, we are investigating the role of Nef-containing EVs in neural stem cell homeostasis, neuronal differentiation, and neuronal senescence. Our work aims to elucidate the mechanisms underlying Nef-mediated neurotoxicity and neuroinflammation, contributing to a better understanding of the role of Nef-containing EVs in the onset and persistence of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders.

(3) We co-developed a method to size-separate, characterize and quantify EVs by asymmetrical-flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) technique coupled to a multi-detection system. We were also the first to show that the commonly used method for labelling EVs with fluorescent dye PKH is unsuitable for functional studies of the vesicles and have suggested improvements.