title: Novel pathway of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 uptake and release in astrocytes.
abstract: Astrocytes persistently infected with HIV-1 can transmit virus to CD4+ cells, suggesting that astrocytes may be a source of viral persistence and dissemination in the brain. In the present study, we investigated the fate of HIV-1 upon infection of astrocytes. HIV-1 was observed in vesicle-like structures. Unspliced genomic RNA and extrachromosomal HIV-1 DNA were detected in astrocytes, with levels declining over time. The extrachromosomal viral DNA was not de novo reverse transcribed in astrocytes but most likely the products of intravirion reverse transcription present in the virus inoculum. Integrated HIV-1 DNA was not detected in assays sensitive to detect 2 integrated copies of provirus. However, the majority of astrocyte cultures released infectious virus that could be transmitted to CD4+ cells. Our findings suggest a novel pathway of HIV-1 uptake and release in astrocytes that does not necessarily require virus replication, which may contribute to persistence and spread of HIV-1 in the brain.
authors.affiliation: Australian Centre for HIV and Hepatitis Virology Research, Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science, Adelaide, Australia. jclarke@burnet.edu.au
authors.forename: Jennifer N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: Julie-Anne
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lake
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Burrell
authors.forename: Steven L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Wesselingh
authors.forename: Paul R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Gorry
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D001253:Astrocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000821:virology*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000821:virology; D022162:Cytoplasmic Vesicles / Q000821:virology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24 / Q000032:analysis; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008954:Models, Biological; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D016662:Virus Integration
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24; D012367:RNA, Viral