Dendritic cells exposed to human immunodeficiency virus type-1 transmit a vigorous cytopathic infection to CD4+ T cells.
The paucity of virus-laden CD4+ cells in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) contrasts with the greatly reduced numbers and function of these lymphocytes. A pathway is described whereby dendritic cells carry HIV-1 to uninfected T cells, amplifying the cytopathic effects of small amounts of virus. After exposure to HIV-1, dendritic cells continue to present superantigens and antigens, forming clusters with T cells that are driven to replicate. Infection of the dendritic cells cannot be detected, but the clustered T cells form syncytia, release virions, and die. Carriage of HIV-1 by dendritic cells may facilitate the lysis and loss of antigen specific CD4+ T cells in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
Laboratory for Cellular Physiology and Immunology, Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10021.
P U
PU
Cameron
P S
PS
Freudenthal
J M
JM
Barker
S
S
Gezelter
K
K
Inaba
R M
RM
Steinman
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000635:transmission*; D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D002469:Cell Separation; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016325:HIV Long Terminal Repeat / Q000502:physiology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D051379:Mice; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000494:pharmacology
D016655:HIV Core Protein p24; D015215:Zidovudine