[HTML][HTML] TFH cells accumulate in mucosal tissues of humanized-DRAG mice and are highly permissive to HIV-1

A Allam, S Majji, K Peachman, L Jagodzinski, J Kim… - Scientific reports, 2015 - nature.com
A Allam, S Majji, K Peachman, L Jagodzinski, J Kim, S Ratto-Kim, W Wijayalath, M Merbah…
Scientific reports, 2015nature.com
CD4+ T follicular helper cells (TFH) in germinal centers are required for maturation of B-
cells. While the role of TFH-cells has been studied in blood and lymph nodes of HIV-1
infected individuals, its role in the mucosal tissues has not been investigated. We show that
the gut and female reproductive tract (FRT) of humanized DRAG mice have a high level of
human lymphocytes and a high frequency of TFH (CXCR5+ PD-1++) and precursor-TFH
(CXCR5+ PD-1+) cells. The majority of TFH-cells expressed CCR5 and CXCR3 and are the …
Abstract
CD4+ T follicular helper cells (TFH) in germinal centers are required for maturation of B-cells. While the role of TFH-cells has been studied in blood and lymph nodes of HIV-1 infected individuals, its role in the mucosal tissues has not been investigated. We show that the gut and female reproductive tract (FRT) of humanized DRAG mice have a high level of human lymphocytes and a high frequency of TFH (CXCR5+PD-1++) and precursor-TFH (CXCR5+PD-1+) cells. The majority of TFH-cells expressed CCR5 and CXCR3 and are the most permissive to HIV-1 infection. A single low-dose intravaginal HIV-1 challenge of humanized DRAG mice results in 100% infectivity with accumulation of TFH-cells mainly in the Peyer’s patches and FRT. The novel finding of TFH-cells in the FRT may contribute to the high susceptibility of DRAG mice to HIV-1 infection. This mouse model thus provides new opportunities to study TFH-cells and to evaluate HIV-1 vaccines.
nature.com