HIV-1 and methamphetamine alter galectins -1, -3, and -9 in human monocyte-derived macrophages

Macrophages are key elements of the innate immune system. Their HIV-1 infection is a complex process that involves multiple interacting factors and various steps and is further altered by exposure of infected cells to methamphetamine (Meth), a common drug of abuse in people living with HIV. This is reflected by dynamic changes in the intracellular and secreted proteomes of these cells. Quantification of these changes poses a challenge for experimental design and associated analytics. In this study, we measured the effect of Meth on expression of intracellular and secreted galectins-1, -3, and -9 in HIV-1 infected human monocyte-derived macrophages (hMDM) using SWATH-MS, which was further followed by MRM targeted mass spectrometry validation. Cells were exposed to Meth either prior to or after infection. Our results are the first to perform comprehensive quantifications of galectins in primary hMDM cells during HIV-1 infection and Meth exposure a building foundation for future studies on the molecular mechanisms underlying cellular pathology of hMDM resulting from viral infection and a drug of abuse—Meth.