Human mast cells and basophils in HIV-1 infection.
Mast cells and basophils (FcvarepsilonRI(+) cells) are classically involved in allergic disorders. HIV-1 glycoprotein gp120 acts as a viral superantigen by interacting with the heavy chain, variable 3 (V(H)3) region of IgE to induce cytokine release from FcvarepsilonRI(+) cells. The chemokine receptors CCR3 and CXCR4, co-receptors for HIV-1, are expressed by FcvarepsilonRI(+) cells. Via its interaction with CCR3, HIV-1 transactivation (Tat) protein is a potent chemoattractant for FcvarepsilonRI(+) cells. Incubation of basophils with Tat protein upregulates the surface expression of the CCR3 receptor. There is some evidence that human FcvarepsilonRI(+) cells could be infected in vitro by M-tropic HIV-1 strains.
Marone
G
G
Division of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy. marone@unina.it
Florio
G
G
Petraroli
A
A
Triggiani
M
M
de Paulis
A
A
D001491:Basophils / Q000276:immunology*; D015696:Gene Products, tat / Q000276:immunology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D018793:Interleukin-13 / Q000378:metabolism; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000378:metabolism; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D018417:Th1 Cells; D018418:Th2 Cells; D054322:tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
D015696:Gene Products, tat; D018793:Interleukin-13; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D054322:tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; D015847:Interleukin-4