In primary human monocyte-derived macrophages exposed to Human immunodeficiency virus type 1, does the increased intracellular growth of Leishmania infantum rely on its enhanced uptake?
Concurrent uncontrolled development of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and Leishmania spp. is regarded as an emerging pathogenic combination in countries where human beings are exposed to these two micro-organisms. The present study was aimed at exploring whether HIV-1 development within a culture of human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) affected the further development of luciferase-encoding Leishmania infantum using the luciferase activity as a readout assay. It was demonstrated that, in cultures of HIV-1-loaded MDMs exposed to axenic amastigotes, the luciferase activity was higher than in HIV-1-free MDMs. As a preliminary approach to deciphering the possible mechanism through which HIV-1 can affect Leishmania infantum, attention was focused on the very early processes that could underlie this increased luciferase activity. Using GFP-labelled parasites, it was possible to establish that, in HIV-1-infected MDMs, the percentage of GFP-expressing MDMs was higher (10-20 %) than in cell cultures not exposed to HIV-1 (5 %). Two-colour immunofluorescence staining suggested that HIV-1 indirectly affects the uptake of parasites inside MDMs. Thus, the observed phenomenon seems to be linked with a higher uptake of parasites within MDMs. Taken together, the data reported here may contribute to our understanding of disseminated Leishmania infection in HIV-1-infected individuals.
Zhao
Chenqi
C
Research Center in Infectious Diseases, CHUL Research Center, and Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, RC709, 2705 Laurier Blvd, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada.
Thibault
Sandra
S
Research Center in Infectious Diseases, CHUL Research Center, and Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, RC709, 2705 Laurier Blvd, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada.
Messier
Nadine
N
Research Center in Infectious Diseases, CHUL Research Center, and Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, RC709, 2705 Laurier Blvd, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada.
Ouellette
Marc
M
Research Center in Infectious Diseases, CHUL Research Center, and Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, RC709, 2705 Laurier Blvd, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada.
Papadopoulou
Barbara
B
Research Center in Infectious Diseases, CHUL Research Center, and Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, RC709, 2705 Laurier Blvd, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada.
Tremblay
Michel J
MJ
Research Center in Infectious Diseases, CHUL Research Center, and Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, RC709, 2705 Laurier Blvd, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada.
D000818:Animals; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D018314:Leishmania infantum / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000209:etiology; D008156:Luciferases / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000821:virology*
D008156:Luciferases