Proteomic and transcriptomic characterization of plasma extracellular vesicles from HIV+ patients: an epigentic view

Abstract

Cells release several types of membrane vesicles into the extracellular environment promoting intercellular communication. Such vesicles may have endosomal origins, such as exosomes, or are released by budding directly from the plasma membrane in the case of microvesicles. They are made up of lipids, proteins, and RNA, which may be associated with modulatory mechanisms of the immune response during infections. Although there are studies demonstrating the importance of extracellular vesicles in HIV infection, little is known about how much their constitution affects the immunity of infected patients. We believe that the originating cells and the composition of vesicles are different during HIV infection and after antiretroviral treatment. In addition, we believe that vesicles may carry cytosolic and membrane enzymes, coding mRNAs, and regulatory miRNAs that act as inflammatory mediators, especially from the epigenetic point of view, interfering with the immune response. In this context, we will use proteomic and transcriptomic approaches to determine the composition of extracellular vesicles from HIV+ patients under ART, mainly miRNAs and proteins that perform epigenetic roles. These molecules will be evaluated as biomarkers in the prognosis of the disease and as therapeutic targets. In addition, this project takes part of a larger project that aims to assess the biochemical composition of extracellular vesicles, epigenetic changes, inflammatory response, polarization and early senescence of immunity cells in the progression of the HIV infection. (AU)