Vaginal langerhans cells nonproductively transporting HIV-1 mediate infection of T cells

L Ballweber, B Robinson, A Kreger, M Fialkow… - Journal of …, 2011 - Am Soc Microbiol
L Ballweber, B Robinson, A Kreger, M Fialkow, G Lentz, MJ McElrath, F Hladik
Journal of virology, 2011Am Soc Microbiol
Although implied by other models, proof that Langerhans cells (LCs) in the human vagina
participate in dissemination of infectious human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) has
been lacking. Here, we show that LCs migrate from HIV-1-exposed vaginal epithelia and
pass infectious virus to CD4+ T cells without being productively infected themselves, and we
point to a pathway that might enable HIV-1 to avoid degradation in vaginal LCs. Transport by
migratory LCs to local lymphatics in a nonproductive but infectious form may aid HIV-1 in …
Abstract
Although implied by other models, proof that Langerhans cells (LCs) in the human vagina participate in dissemination of infectious human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) has been lacking. Here, we show that LCs migrate from HIV-1-exposed vaginal epithelia and pass infectious virus to CD4+ T cells without being productively infected themselves, and we point to a pathway that might enable HIV-1 to avoid degradation in vaginal LCs. Transport by migratory LCs to local lymphatics in a nonproductive but infectious form may aid HIV-1 in evasion of topical microbicides that target its intracellular productive life cycle.
American Society for Microbiology