Human brain derived cell culture models of HIV-1 infection

During the clinical course of acquired immune deficiency syndrome, infection of the CNS by human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) may ultimately result in the impairment of cognitive, behavioral and motor functions. Viral neuropathogenesis involves inflammatory molecules and neurotoxins produced from infected and immune-activated lymphocytes, microglial cells and astrocytes. Here, we discuss the current understanding of HIV-1 infection of the CNS and various cell culture systems from the developing human brain in order to study the neurobiology of HIV-1 infection, the mechanisms contributing to HIV-1 infection, and disease progression.