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Updated: Dec 22, 2025
Phagosome Migration and Velocity Measured in Live Primary Human Macrophages Infected with HIV-1
Published on: September 5, 2016
Macrophage Cell-Cell Interactions Promoting HIV-1 Infection
Maeva Dupont1, Quentin James Sattentau1
1The Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, The University of Oxford, Oxford OX13RE, UK.
Abstract:
Many pathogens infect macrophages as part of their intracellular life cycle. This is particularly true for viruses, of which HIV-1 is one of the best studied. HIV-1 infection of macrophages has important consequences for viral persistence and pathogenesis, but the mechanisms of macrophage infection remain to be fully elucidated. Despite expressing viral entry receptors, macrophages are inefficiently infected by cell-free HIV-1 virions, whereas direct cell-cell spread is more efficient. Different modes of cell-cell spread have been described, including the uptake by macrophages of infected T cells and the fusion of infected T cells with macrophages, both leading to macrophage infection. Cell-cell spread can also transmit HIV-1 between macrophages and from macrophages to T cells. Here, we describe the current state of the field concerning the cell-cell spread of HIV-1 to and from macrophages, discuss mechanisms, and highlight potential in vivo relevance.
Insights
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) efficiently infects macrophages through cell-to-cell spread rather than cell-free virions. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for viral persistence and pathogenesis research.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Macrophages are key host cells for many pathogens, including human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1).
- HIV-1 infection of macrophages significantly impacts viral persistence and disease progression.
- The precise mechanisms governing macrophage infection by HIV-1 are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and synthesize current knowledge on HIV-1 cell-to-cell spread involving macrophages.
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which HIV-1 spreads between cells and infects macrophages.
- To discuss the in vivo relevance of these cell-cell spread mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on HIV-1 macrophage tropism and cell-cell spread.
- Analysis of described modes of HIV-1 transmission between T cells and macrophages.
- Discussion of viral entry receptor expression and infection efficiency.
Main Results:
- Macrophages are inefficiently infected by cell-free HIV-1 virions.
- Direct cell-to-cell spread is a more efficient route for macrophage infection.
- Mechanisms include phagocytosis of infected T cells and direct fusion events.
Conclusions:
- Cell-to-cell spread is critical for HIV-1 infection of macrophages.
- HIV-1 can spread between macrophages and from macrophages to T cells.
- Further research into these pathways is vital for understanding HIV-1 pathogenesis.
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