The pro-apoptotic human BH3-only peptide harakiri is expressed in cryptococcus-infected perivascular macrophages in HIV-1 encephalitis patients.

In the central nervous system (CNS), HIV-1 targets mainly microglia/macrophages. Like the CD4+ T cell depletion and neuronal loss in AIDS, apoptosis is thought to be involved in eliminating infected macrophages. In this study, we examined the expression of the pro-apoptotic BH3-peptide harakiri (Hrk) in brain tissues of AIDS patients. Immunoreactivity against Hrk was positive in perivascular macrophages infiltrated into some restricted lesions. Most of these immunopositive cells contained small inclusions positive for Grocott's methenamine silver staining. Confocal laser microscopy demonstrated that Hrk expression coincided with immunoreactivities against HIV-1 and Cryptococcus neoformans. Expression of Hrk mRNA was demonstrated in these cells by in situ hybridization, which indicated that Hrk is not phagocytosed material. Some pro-apoptotic bcl-family members, including Hrk, may contribute to the delayed hypersensitive reaction in AIDS, in macrophages eliminating opportunistic infection.