Cell-to-cell contact facilitates HIV transmission from lymphocytes to astrocytes via CXCR4.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

HIV reservoir in the brain represents a major barrier for curing HIV infection. As the most abundant, long-lived cell type, astrocytes play a critical role in maintaining the reservoir; however, the mechanism of infection remains unknown. Here, we determine how viral transmission occurs from HIV-infected lymphocytes to astrocytes by cell-to-cell contact.

Design and methods

Human astrocytes were exposed to HIV-infected lymphocytes and monitored by live-imaging, confocal microscopy, transmission and three-dimensional electron microscopy. A panel of receptor antagonists was used to determine the mechanism of viral entry.

Results

We found that cell-to-cell contact resulted in efficient transmission of X4 or X4R5-using viruses from T lymphocytes to astrocytes. I

SUBMITTER: Li GH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4438861 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature