Fig. 1

Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) in HIV-1 infected brain and occludin structure. (A) Schematic representation of CNS invasion by HIV-1. After infecting leukocytes in the blood (monocytes and T-cells), HIV-1 can cross the BBB via the Trojan horse mechanism and infect various CNS cells, such as astrocytes, pericytes, and microglia cells. Moreover, brain infection by HIV-1 is associated with a disruption of the BBB integrity by altering tight junction (TJ) protein expression and function. (B) Schematic representation of the TJs formed by transmembrane proteins (e.g., occludin, claudins, and junctional adhesion molecules [JAM]). (C) Schematic representation of occludin structure, showing the domains and phosphorylation residues