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Stem-cell Based Engineered Immunity Against HIV Infection in the Humanized Mouse Model
Published on: July 2, 2016
Human immunodeficiency virus infection of human bone marrow stromal fibroblasts
1Division of Hematology/Oncology, New England Deaconess Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215.
Insights
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can infect bone marrow stromal fibroblasts, which may serve as a viral reservoir. This finding offers a new model for studying HIV-related hematopoietic dysfunction in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) primarily infects CD4+ T cells and monocytes.
- Previous studies suggest infectability of HIV in other human cell types, including mesenchymal cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the susceptibility of human stromal fibroblasts to HIV infection.
- To determine if stromal fibroblasts can act as a viral reservoir and transmit HIV to other cell types.
- To establish an in vitro model for studying HIV-associated hematopoietic dysfunction in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Main Methods:
- Infection of primary human bone marrow stromal fibroblasts and an immortalized stromal fibroblast cell line with HIV.
- Assessment of HIV susceptibility and viral transmission from infected fibroblasts to lymphoid and myeloid cells.
Main Results:
- Both primary and immortalized human stromal fibroblasts are susceptible to HIV infection.
- Infected stromal fibroblasts can transmit HIV to cells of lymphoid and myeloid lineages.
- Stromal fibroblasts demonstrate potential as a viral reservoir.
Conclusions:
- Human stromal fibroblasts are a novel cell type susceptible to HIV infection.
- These fibroblasts may play a role in HIV pathogenesis by acting as a viral reservoir.
- The established in vitro system provides a valuable model for understanding hematopoietic dysfunction in AIDS.
Abstract:
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) preferentially infects CD4 positive T cells and monocytes. Other human cell types have been reported to be infectable with HIV, including cells of mesenchymal origin. In this report, we show that both primary human bone marrow stromal fibroblasts and an immortalized human stromal fibroblast line are susceptible to HIV infection. These cells are capable of passing HIV to cells of lymphoid or myeloid lineage, and may thereby act as a reservoir of virus. This in vitro system may be a useful model for assessing the pathophysiology of hematopoietic dysfunction in AIDS patients.
