CD16+ monocytes exposed to HIV promote highly efficient viral replication upon differentiation into macrophages and interaction with T cells.
The CD16+ subset of monocytes is dramatically expanded in peripheral blood during progression to AIDS, but its contribution to HIV pathogenesis is unknown. Here, we demonstrate that CD16+ but not CD16- monocytes promote high levels of HIV replication upon differentiation into macrophages and interaction with T cells. Conjugates formed between CD16+ monocyte-derived macrophages and T cells are major sites of viral replication. Furthermore, similar monocyte-T cell conjugates detected in peripheral blood of HIV-infected patients harbor HIV DNA. Thus, expansion of CD16+ monocytes during HIV infection and their subsequent recruitment into tissues such as lymph nodes, brain, and intestine may contribute to HIV dissemination and establishment of productive infection in T cells.
Ancuta
Petronela
P
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Kunstman
Kevin J
KJ
Autissier
Patrick
P
Zaman
Tauheed
T
Stone
David
D
Wolinsky
Steven M
SM
Gabuzda
Dana
D
D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology* / Q000821:virology; D009000:Monocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000821:virology*; D011485:Protein Binding; D017452:Receptors, IgG / Q000378:metabolism*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000502:physiology*
D015704:CD4 Antigens; D017452:Receptors, IgG