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Phagosome Migration and Velocity Measured in Live Primary Human Macrophages Infected with HIV-1
Published on: September 5, 2016
Impaired complement-mediated phagocytosis by HIV type-1-infected human monocyte-derived macrophages involves a
Rula Azzam1, Katherine Kedzierska, Edwin Leeansyah
1AIDS Pathogenesis and Clinical Research Program, Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, Melbourne, Australia.
Insights
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) impairs macrophage phagocytosis by increasing intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Inhibiting cAMP production restores this crucial immune function in HIV-1-infected macrophages.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection compromises macrophage effector functions, notably phagocytosis of opsonized pathogens.
- Macrophage phagocytosis is critical for host defense against microbial infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of HIV-1 on complement (C')-mediated phagocytosis by human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM).
- To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms by which HIV-1 inhibits phagocytosis in MDM.
Main Methods:
- Utilized C'-opsonized sheep red blood cells (sRBC) as targets to assess phagocytosis in HIV-1-infected MDM.
- Measured intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels and employed adenylate cyclase inhibitors (2',5'-dideoxyadenosine, MDL-12,330A).
- Assessed the role of viral entry and replication using the antiretroviral drug lamivudine.
Main Results:
- HIV-1 infection in vitro significantly inhibited C'-mediated phagocytosis by MDM.
- Inhibition was post-receptor-mediated, not due to altered receptor expression or target binding.
- HIV-1 infection elevated intracellular cAMP levels in MDM, and inhibiting cAMP production restored phagocytic capacity.
- Defective phagocytosis did not correlate with prostaglandin secretion and showed minimal bystander effect.
Conclusions:
- HIV-1 impairs C'R-mediated phagocytosis in MDM by increasing intracellular cAMP levels.
- This mechanism is independent of prostaglandin secretion and contributes to HIV-1-induced immune dysfunction.
- Understanding this pathway offers insights into mitigating HIV-1's impact on cell-mediated immunity.
Abstract:
HIV-1 infection of cells of macrophage lineage impairs a number of effector functions performed by these cells, including phagocytosis of opsonized pathogens. In this study we investigate the effects of HIV-1 on the mechanism of complement (C')-mediated phagocytosis by human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM). Using C'-opsonized sheep red blood cells (sRBC) as targets, we demonstrate that phagocytosis is inhibited by HIV-1 infection in vitro. Inhibition is not due to downregulation of surface C' receptors (R) or altered binding of C'-opsonized targets to HIV-1-infected MDM, suggesting a postreceptor-mediated mechanism of suppression. Having shown that increased levels of intracellular cAMP in uninfected MDM inhibit phagocytosis, we demonstrate that HIV-1 infection of MDM is associated with increased intracellular cAMP. Using the adenylate cyclase inhibitors 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine and MDL-12,330A, we show that phagocytosis by HIV-1- infected MDM can be restored by inhibition of cAMP production. Defective phagocytosis by HIV-1-infected MDM did not correlate with prostaglandin secretion, and was less in uninfected MDM within the HIV-1-infected cell culture suggesting a minimal bystander effect. Inhibition required viral entry but not active viral replication, as shown by use of the antiretroviral drug lamivudine. Hence, our study suggests that HIV-1 impairs C'R-mediated phagocytosis in MDM by elevating intracellular cAMP levels, independent of prostaglandin secretion, and contributes to our understanding of how HIV-1 impairs cell-mediated immunity.
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