HIV-1 infection of DC: evidence for the acquisition of virus particles from infected T cells by antigen uptake mechanism.

ABSTRACT: Dendritic cells (DC) play a pivotal role in transmission and dissemination of HIV-1. Earlier studies reported that DC present at the site of infection trap virus particles via DC-SIGN and transfer the virus to the interacting naïve T cells. This prompted us to ask the question whether DC could acquire virus from infected T cells during DC-T cell interaction. To address this, we investigated the likely transfer of virus from HIV-1 infected T cells to DC and the underlying mechanisms involved. Results indicate that DC acquire virus from infected T cells via antigen uptake mechanism and this results in infection of DC with expression of proteins directed by viral DNA. Further studies with HIV-1 lacking the Env protein also resulted in infection of DC. The use of antibodies against DC-SIGN and

SUBMITTER: Venkatachari NJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2759578 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature