Activation of caspase-3 in HUVEC by HIV-1 gp120/160.

HUVEC were grown in LSM with gp120 or gp160 at a 100-ng/mL concentration for 6 hours. Cells were lysed in low-detergent buffer, and the lysates were analyzed for caspase-3 activity using a specific substrate (AC-DEVD-AFC) as described in “Materials and methods.” The release of AFC was measured using a fluorometer setting of 450-nm excitation and 505-nm emission. *P < .0007.