T Cell-Macrophage Fusion Triggers Multinucleated Giant Cell Formation for HIV-1 Spreading.

ABSTRACT: HIV-1-infected macrophages participate in virus dissemination and establishment of virus reservoirs in host tissues, but the mechanisms for virus cell-to-cell transfer to macrophages remain unknown. Here, we reveal the mechanisms for cell-to-cell transfer from infected T cells to macrophages and virus spreading between macrophages. We show that contacts between infected T lymphocytes and macrophages lead to cell fusion for the fast and massive transfer of CCR5-tropic viruses to macrophages. Through the merge of viral material between T cells and macrophages, these newly formed lymphocyte-macrophage fused cells acquire the ability to fuse with neighboring noninfected macrophages. Together, these two-step envelope-dependent cell fusion processes lead to the formation of highly virus-producti

SUBMITTER: Bracq L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5709600 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature