Role of mononuclear phagocytes and accessory cells in human immunodeficiency virus type I infection of the brain.
The cells responsible for persistence of viral infection in the brains of human immunodeficiency virus type I-positive individuals are most likely mononuclear phagocytes. The infection of other cell types within the brain is presumably the result of close interactions with HIV-I-producing cells of the mononuclear phagocytic lineage. During these interactions, both direct effects from HIV-I infection of brain cells as well as indirect mechanisms (namely the response of brain cells to the presence of virus-infected cells, particularly monocytes and macrophages) should be considered. In addition, the genomic variability of HIV-I could play a role in increasing the tropism of the virus for certain cell types.
Popovic
M
M
Laboratory of Tumor Cell Biology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892.
Mellert
W
W
Erfle
V
V
Gartner
S
S
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002460:Cell Line; D002477:Cells / Q000145:classification / Q000382:microbiology; D006678:HIV / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000382:microbiology; D010586:Phagocytes / Q000502:physiology*