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Human immunodeficiency virus infection in microglia: correlation between cells infected in the brain and cells
R Brinkmann1, A Schwinn, O Narayan
1Institut für Virologie und Immunobiologie, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.
Abstract:
In acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, the lesions of the central nervous system in association with the human immunodeficiency virus are thought to be related to an infection of microglia, although no studies are available in which cultured and physiological characteristics of microglia cells infected in vivo have been examined. In this report, we used brain tissue from a child dying of human immunodeficiency virus infection and show that microglia cells were the main cell population being infected. Moreover, isolated macrophage-like cells from fresh brain material revealed a close resemblance to peripheral blood macrophages in their content of surface and intracellular antigens. No virus particles or viral antigens were produced by these cells during the first week of cultivation. Productive infection was readily apparent, however, by day 30. This finding illustrates the slow nature of the virus life cycle in these cells and the minimal cytopathology that accompanied the infection.
Insights
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) primarily infects microglia cells in the brain, leading to central nervous system lesions in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. These infected cells exhibit a slow viral life cycle with minimal damage.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Central nervous system (CNS) lesions in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are suspected to stem from microglia infection by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
- Previous studies lacked examination of cultured microglia cells infected in vivo for physiological characteristics.
Observation:
- Brain tissue from a child with HIV infection was analyzed.
- Microglia cells were identified as the predominant cell type infected by HIV.
- Isolated macrophage-like cells from brain tissue showed similarities to peripheral blood macrophages in antigen expression.
Findings:
- No virus particles or antigens were produced by cultured microglia in the first week.
- Productive HIV infection became evident in microglia by day 30 of cultivation.
- The HIV life cycle in microglia is characterized by a slow progression and minimal cytopathology.
Implications:
- This study confirms microglia as a key cellular target for HIV in the CNS.
- Understanding the slow viral kinetics in microglia is crucial for developing targeted therapies.
- Further research into microglia-HIV interactions can elucidate CNS pathogenesis in AIDS.