CD4(+) T-cells are unable to express the HIV natural resistance factor globotriosylceramide

Minji Kim1, Beth Binnington, Darinka Sakac

  • 1aDepartment of Medicine, University of Toronto bMolecular Structure and Function, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute cCanadian Blood Services, Research and Development dDepartments of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, and Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M1, Canada.

AIDS (London, England)
|February 6, 2013
PubMed

Globotriaosylceramide (Gb(3)) is a cell surface-expressed natural resistance factor for HIV infection, but, its expression in human T-cells remains unknown. Therefore, Gb(3) in resting or activated CD4(+) T-cells was assessed by flow cytometry and thin layer chromatography of cell extracts. We found the majority of CD4(+) T-cells, whether resting or activated, do not express Gb(3) at significant levels (<2% positive cells). Thus, HIV treatment or prevention strategies must focus on development of soluble Gb(3) analogues for inhibition of HIV infection.