HIV-persistent infection and cytokine induction in mesangial cells: a potential mechanism for HIV-associated glomerulosclerosis.

The results of present study demonstrate that podocytes are not susceptible to HIV-1, but the virus can establish persistent infection of MC stimulating the production of cytokines known to be involved in the development of glomerulosclerosis in vivo. Preliminary observations indicate that highly active anti-retroviral therapy can reduce the manifestations of nephropathy in AIDS patients [12]. Insights gained from our model in vitro will probably thus improve not only the understanding of HIVAN pathogenesis, but also the design of effective therapeutic strategies.