Transmission of HIV-1 from productively infected mature Langerhans cells to primary CD4+ T lymphocytes results in altered T cell responses with enhanced production of IFN-gamma and IL-10.
Mature Langerhans cells (mLC), the ex vivo correlates of interdigitating dendritic cells (IDC), are susceptible to infection with HIV-1. As IDC are important activators of T helper (Th) cells in vivo, we examined the interaction of HIV-1-infected mLC with CD4+ T lymphocytes. HIV-1-infected mLC readily formed clusters with the T cells and efficiently transmitted HIV-1 to the CD4+ Th cells. Formation of syncytia between mLC and T cells was initiated by HIV-1-infected mLC. In the clusters of HIV-1-infected mLC and activated T cells a massive HIV-1 production was observed leading to the subsequent elimination of the activated and infected T helper cells. Examination of the cytokine pattern produced during interaction of infected mLC with CD4+ T cells revealed an enhanced production of IFN-gamma and IL-10 in the cocultures. These results suggest that during antigen presentation-driven T cell activation by IDC in the lymphoid tissues, HIV-1-infected IDC might efficiently transmit the virus to Th cells, leading to altered Th cell responses.
Ludewig
B
B
Robert Koch-Institut, Berlin, Germany.
Gelderblom
H R
HR
Becker
Y
Y
Schäfer
A
A
Pauli
G
G
D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure / Q000821:virology*; D002450:Cell Communication; D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015726:Giant Cells / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure / Q000821:virology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000494:pharmacology
D016753:Interleukin-10; D015215:Zidovudine; D007371:Interferon-gamma