Figure 6

Real-time RT-PCR analysis of viral expression in gut tissues. (A) Real-time RT-PCR analysis of gag gene expression levels (viral genomic RNA normalized against GAPDH mRNA levels) in the esophagus (E), stomach (S), duodenum (D) and colorectum (C) tissue of HIV-1 infected individuals. Increased viral gag gene (viral genomic transcripts) expression in the colorectal tissues compared to the esophagus were observed. All gag expression levels were expressed relative to the gag expression levels in the esophagus (* = p < 0.05, Dunn's multiple comparison test). Real-time RT-PCR analysis of all viral RNAs (genomic as well as viral mRNA transcripts) containing the Nef protein open reading frame (B) and nef gene specific mRNA expression levels (C) (normalized against GAPDH mRNA levels) in the esophagus (E), stomach (S), duodenum (D) and colorectum (C) tissue of HIV-1 infected individuals. Differing RNA expression levels with increased viral nef gene expression in the colorectal tissues were observed. Again all RNA expression levels were expressed relative to the RNA expression levels in the esophagus (* = p < 0.05, Dunn's multiple comparison test).