The HIV and SIV Nef protein, a progression factor in AIDS pathology, can be transferred by microvesicles including exosomes and tunneling nanotubes (TNT) within the host even to uninfected cells, and Nef can induce CCL2 expression.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative factor (Nef) protein is an accessory pathogenic factor, which plays a significant role in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
This review briefly explores the role of the nef gene during HIV-1 infection and highlights the expectation that RNA interference might serve as a new sequence-specific therapeutic arsenal in AIDS prevention, and possibly treatment, in the years ahead.
Characterization of nef gene of HIV type 1 in highly active antiretroviral therapy treated AIDS patients with discordance between viral load and CD4+ T cell counts.