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Phagosome Migration and Velocity Measured in Live Primary Human Macrophages Infected with HIV-1
Published on: September 5, 2016
Human peritoneal macrophages from ascitic fluid can be infected by a broad range of HIV-1 isolates
Theresa L Chang1, Arielle Klepper, Jian Ding
1Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Box 1090, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA. theresa.chang@mssm.edu
Abstract:
Macrophages are major HIV target cells. They support both productive and latent HIV-1 infection. Susceptibility of primary macrophages to HIV depends on the anatomical location and activation state of the cells. We demonstrate that peritoneal macrophages (PMs) are abundant in ascitic fluid of patients with liver cirrhosis and are susceptible to HIV-1 infection. PMs expressed CD68, a differentiation marker, exhibited phagocytic activity, and survived in culture for 2 months without additional growth factors. Freshly isolated PMs were susceptible to HIV-1 R5 strains but not to X4-T-cell line-adapted strains. Interestingly, after 7 days in culture, PMs acquired susceptibility to X4-T-cell line-adapted strains. HIV entry inhibitors, TAK779 and AMD3100, blocked HIV infection of PMs, indicating that infection by R5 and X4 strains was mediated by CCR5 and CXCR4, respectively. Although PMs did not express detectable cell surface levels of CXCR4 and CCR5, they did express mRNAs of these HIV coreceptors and responded to stimulation by their natural ligands, SDF-1alpha and RANTES. PMs were susceptible to HIV-1 X4, R5, and X4R5 primary isolates. PMs after 7 days in culture produced greater amounts of X4 and X4R5 HIV than freshly isolated PMs. The day-7 PMs were more susceptible to R5 infection in a single-cycle infection assay, but there was no increase in viral production in a multiple-round infection assay. The level of CXCR4 mRNA and production of CC-chemokines (MIP-1alpha, MIP-1beta, and RANTES) increased significantly during 7 days in culture. Our results indicate that PMs are susceptible to receptor-mediated infection by a broad range of HIV strains. These primary macrophages could provide a valuable system for investigating the role of primary macrophages in HIV pathogenesis.
Insights
Peritoneal macrophages (PMs) in liver cirrhosis patients are susceptible to HIV-1 infection. These macrophages can be infected by various HIV strains, offering a new model for HIV research.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Macrophages are key targets for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection.
- The susceptibility of macrophages to HIV-1 varies based on their origin and activation status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the susceptibility of peritoneal macrophages (PMs) to HIV-1 infection.
- To characterize the characteristics of PMs and their role in HIV-1 pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and culture of PMs from ascitic fluid of liver cirrhosis patients.
- Infection of PMs with different HIV-1 strains (R5, X4, and primary isolates).
- Analysis of HIV coreceptor expression (CCR5, CXCR4) and chemokine production.
Main Results:
- PMs are abundant in liver cirrhosis patients' ascitic fluid and support HIV-1 infection.
- Freshly isolated PMs are susceptible to R5 strains, while cultured PMs become susceptible to X4 strains.
- PMs express HIV coreceptor mRNAs and produce chemokines, indicating susceptibility to a broad range of HIV strains.
Conclusions:
- Peritoneal macrophages are a viable target for diverse HIV-1 strains.
- Cultured PMs exhibit altered susceptibility and increased viral production, suggesting a dynamic role in HIV pathogenesis.
- PMs represent a valuable model for studying HIV-1 infection and its impact on macrophages.

