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Updated: Aug 9, 2026
In Vitro Assay to Evaluate the Impact of Immunoregulatory Pathways on HIV-specific CD4 T Cell Effector Function
Published on: October 16, 2013
Raji B cells, misidentified as THP-1 cells, stimulate DC-SIGN-mediated HIV transmission
Li Wu1, Thomas D Martin, Mary Carrington
1Model Development Section, HIV Drug Resistance Program, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
Insights
Studies on dendritic cell (DC)-specific ICAM-3 grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN) interactions with viruses often use monocytic cells. However, THP-1 cells are actually Raji B cells and do not support DC-SIGN-mediated HIV-1 transmission, unlike human B cell lines.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Dendritic cell (DC)-specific ICAM-3 grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN) is crucial for viral pathogen interactions.
- Previous studies utilized monocytic cell lines as models for primary dendritic cells (DCs) to investigate DC-SIGN functions.
- The specific cell line commonly used, THP-1, was presumed to be a monocytic cell line.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clarify the identity of the commonly used "THP-1" cell line.
- To determine the role of true THP-1 cells and B cells in DC-SIGN-mediated HIV-1 transmission.
- To elucidate mechanisms underlying DC-SIGN-mediated viral transmission.
Main Methods:
- Cell line authentication and characterization.
- Assessment of DC-SIGN expression and function in different cell types.
- Quantification of HIV-1 transmission efficiency mediated by DC-SIGN.
Main Results:
- The "THP-1" monocytic cells used in prior research were identified as Raji B cells.
- True THP-1 cells did not support DC-SIGN-mediated HIV-1 transmission.
- Human B cell lines efficiently enhanced DC-SIGN-mediated HIV-1 transmission.
Conclusions:
- Raji B cells and other human B cell lines possess features facilitating HIV-1 transmission via DC-SIGN.
- These findings challenge previous assumptions about cell models used in DC-SIGN research.
- The study provides new mechanistic insights into DC-SIGN-mediated HIV-1 transmission, highlighting the role of B cells.
Abstract:
A number of studies examining interactions of dendritic cell (DC)-specific ICAM-3 grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN) with viral pathogens have relied on monocytic transfectants as models for primary DCs. Here we show that the presumed "THP-1" monocytic cells used in these studies are instead Raji B cells. Moreover, we demonstrate that true THP-1 cells do not support DC-SIGN-mediated HIV-1 transmission, whereas human B cell lines efficiently enhance this process. These data indicate that there are features common to B cells and DCs that facilitate transmission of HIV-1 and provide new insights toward the mechanism of DC-SIGN-mediated HIV-1 transmission.
