Biological properties of the HIV-1 Tat protein and its regulatory mechanisms on immune cells

The transactivator of transcription (Tat) protein is a transactivative transcription factor of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) that contains multiple functional domains and exhibits diverse biological activities, including the activation of viral gene expression and the regulation of host cellular pathways. In immune cells, Tat profoundly affects the function of immune cells by inducing apoptosis, modulating immune responses, promoting inflammation, and impairing antigen presentation. In this review, we provided a comprehensive overview of Tat's molecular structure, its function, and its impact on the gene transcription of hose cells. Furthermore, the multidimensional mechanisms by which immune cells T cells, B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells are impacted by Tat were also reviewed. We state that Tat is potentially regarded as a therapeutic target, emphasizing the importance of developing targeted intervention strategies.