Human immunodeficiency virus-1-tat induces matrix metalloproteinase-9 in monocytes through protein tyrosine phosphatase-mediated activation of nuclear transcription factor NF-kappaB.

We have previously shown that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1-tat induces the production of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in human monocytes by a mechanism that is not understood. In the present report, we demonstrate that HIV-tat-induced expression of MMP-9 is blocked by inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases). PTPase inhibitors also blocked HIV-tat-induced nuclear transcription factor NF-kappaB activation and IkappaBalpha degradation required for MMP-9 induction. These results suggest that HIV-tat induces MMP-9 in human monocytes through activation of PTPase and NF-kappaB.