HIV-1 nef protein visits B-cells via macrophage nanotubes: a mechanism for AIDS-related lymphoma pathogenesis?
This letter refers to the recent demonstration that HIV-1 infected macrophages form specialized conduits that connect to B-cells (1). The conduit selectively transports the HIV-1 nef protein, providing nef with numerous means to interfere with cellular processes. Currently, no consideration of the connection between the conduit and the development of AIDS-related lymphoma (ARL) has been offered. ARL is one of the primary causes of death in the HIV-infected population and is related to B-cell proliferation and activation. In this letter we discuss several studies that link HIV-infected macrophages and specific forms of the nef protein to the development of ARL. The conduits discovered by Xu et al. may lead to a better understanding of how HIV infection results in lymphomagenesis.
Polytechnic Institute of New York University, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
Susanna L
SL
Lamers
Gary B
GB
Fogel
Leanne C
LC
Huysentruyt
Michael S
MS
McGrath
D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D016483:Lymphoma, AIDS-Related / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000821:virology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D054311:nef Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000378:metabolism*
D054311:nef Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; C514837:nef protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 1