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Updated: May 31, 2026

Phagosome Migration and Velocity Measured in Live Primary Human Macrophages Infected with HIV-1
Published on: September 5, 2016
Macrophages and HIV-1
Viviana Cobos-Jiménez1, Thijs Booiman, Jörg Hamann
1Department of Experimental Immunology, Sanquin Research, Landsteiner Laboratory, and Center for Infectious Diseases and Immunity Amsterdam at Academic Medical Center of the University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Macrophages are key to HIV-1 persistence and disease, even during treatment. New research reveals cellular factors and microRNAs influencing viral replication and latency, offering targets for novel therapies against HIV-1 reservoirs and associated conditions.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Macrophages are crucial in HIV-1 pathogenesis and viral reservoir establishment.
- Understanding HIV-1 infection in macrophages is vital for managing the disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review new insights into HIV-1 infection in macrophages.
- To discuss the impact of HIV-1 infection on macrophage immune function and pathology.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature on HIV-1 and macrophages.
- Identification of cellular factors and microRNAs regulating HIV-1 replication.
- Analysis of HIV-1 interference with innate immune functions.
Main Results:
- New cellular factors affecting HIV-1 replication (entry, integration, transcription, assembly) identified.
- MicroRNAs (cellular and viral) shown to regulate HIV-1 replication, latency, and cell survival.
- HIV-1 interferes with macrophage innate immunity (phagocytosis, autophagy, cytokine production) contributing to replication and latency.
- Infected macrophages implicated in HIV-1-associated diseases, including neurocognitive disorders.
Conclusions:
- HIV-1 persists in macrophages despite combined antiretroviral therapy (cART).
- Targeting HIV-1 infection in macrophages may lead to improved cART strategies.
- New therapies could target the viral reservoir and ameliorate tissue-specific diseases associated with HIV-1.
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