Previous studies have shown that infection with HIV-1 clade B and clade C differentially contributes to the neuropathogenesis and development of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). The low molecular weight tripeptide glutathione (GSH) alters the redox balance and leads to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which play a significant role in the neuropathogenesis of HAND. We hypothesized that the HIV-1 clade B and clade C viruses and the respective Tat proteins exert differential effects on monocyte (MC)-derived immature dendritic cells (IDC) and neuroblastoma cells (SK-N-MC) by redox activation, which leads to immuno-neuropathogenesis. The GSH/GSSG ratio and mRNA expression levels and protein modification of glutathione synthetase (GSS), glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1), superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and catalase (CAT) were analyzed in IDC infected with HIV-1 clade B or clade C as well as in cells treated with the respective Tat proteins. The results indicated that HIV-1 clade B virus and its Tat protein significantly increased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduced the GSH/GSSG ratio and subsequent down-regulation of gene expression and protein modification of GSS, GPx1, SOD1 and CAT than infection with the clade C virus or treatment with the clade C Tat protein. Thus, our studies demonstrate that HIV-1 clade B and C exert differential effects of redox expression and thiol modification. HIV-1 clade B potentially induces oxidative stress, leading to more immuno-neuropathogenesis than infection with HIV-1 clade C.