Tetherin can restrict cell-free and cell-cell transmission of HIV from primary macrophages to T cells.

ABSTRACT: Bst-2/Tetherin inhibits the release of HIV by tethering newly formed virus particles to the plasma membrane of infected cells. Although the mechanisms of Tetherin-mediated restriction are increasingly well understood, the biological relevance of this restriction in the natural target cells of HIV is unclear. Moreover, whether Tetherin exerts any restriction on the direct cell-cell spread of HIV across intercellular contacts remains controversial. Here we analyse the restriction endogenous Tetherin imposes on HIV transmission from primary human macrophages, one of the main targets of HIV in vivo. We find that the mRNA and protein levels of Tetherin in macrophages are comparable to those in T cells from the same donors, and are highly upregulated by type I interferons. Improved immunocytoche

SUBMITTER: Giese S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4081785 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature