Affiliation:
1. Research & Development, Canadian Blood Services, Immunology Hub, Toronto Centre, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M1, Canada.
Abstract
The pathogenesis of HIV infection is closely linked to the replication of the virus in vivo. Even though the progress in anti-HIV-1 chemotherapy in the past several years has been dramatic, the efficient protection against HIV-1 infection still remains one of the most important global challenges. The complete blockage of AIDS progression appears to be difficult with current treatment due to the rapid occurrence of viral drug-resistance, increasing cost and the likelihood of adverse side effects. Furthermore, although originally regarded with high hope, development of a suitable vaccine appears to be years away. The purpose of this article is to describe previous findings regarding a potentially important role of the vasoactive intestinal peptide/pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (VPAC) family of G protein-coupled receptors in HIV-1 infection, to provide evidence for the involvement of these receptors in providing signals that can control the integration of the virus into the host DNA and to report new findings that support a role for VPAC receptors in the facilitation of HIV integration.