Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 23, 2026
07:23
Identification of EcoHIV-Infected Cells in Microglia-Manipulated Transgenic Mice
Published on: December 20, 2024
1.8K
HIV-1 target cells in the CNS
Sarah B Joseph1, Kathryn T Arrildt, Christa B Sturdevant
1Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA, sbjoseph@email.unc.edu.
Journal of Neurovirology
|September 20, 2014
Summary
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) can adapt to infect macrophages in the central nervous system (CNS), leading to severe neurocognitive impairment. These macrophage-tropic variants emerge late in infection and are distinct from early transmitted HIV-1 strains.
Area of Science:
- Neurovirology
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) primarily infects CD4+ T cells using the CCR5 coreceptor.
- The central nervous system (CNS) has limited CD4+ T cells but abundant macrophages and microglia.
- Most HIV-1 strains inefficiently infect CNS macrophages due to low CD4 expression on these cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the emergence and characteristics of HIV-1 variants adapted to infect macrophages within the CNS.
- To understand the association between macrophage-tropic HIV-1 and neurocognitive impairment.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of HIV-1 populations within the CNS of infected individuals.
- Examination of viral tropism and adaptation to low CD4 expression.
- Correlation of viral variants with clinical outcomes, specifically neurocognitive function.
Main Results:
- Late in disease, HIV-1 lineages evolve to become macrophage-tropic (M-tropic) in the CNS.
- These M-tropic viruses efficiently infect cells with low CD4 expression, such as macrophages.
- The presence of M-tropic HIV-1 in the CNS is linked to severe neurocognitive impairment.
Conclusions:
- Macrophage tropism in HIV-1 is a rare, non-transmitted viral adaptation important for CNS pathogenesis.
- The evolution of M-tropic HIV-1 contributes to sustained viral replication and neurological damage in the CNS.
- Further research is needed to identify genetic signatures and understand the conditions favoring M-tropic variant emergence.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
2.3K
The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
2.3K
01:27Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
7.0K
Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
7.0K
01:10Retrovirus Life Cycles
42.8K
Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the...
42.8K
01:26Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology
13
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
13