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Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 strains of subtypes B and E replicate in cutaneous dendritic cell-T-cell mixtures
M Pope1, S S Frankel, J R Mascola
1Laboratory of Cellular Physiology and Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10021, USA. popem@rockvax.rockefeller.edu
Insights
Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) subtype E does not preferentially infect Langerhans cells (epidermal dendritic cells [DCs]) compared to subtype B. This finding challenges explanations for the rapid spread of HIV-1 subtype E in Asia.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Genetic subtype E human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) strains were reported to have preferential tropism for Langerhans cells (epidermal dendritic cells [DCs]).
- This preferential tropism was hypothesized to explain the rapid heterosexual spread of subtype E strains in Thailand.
- Skin serves as a relevant model for vaginal and ectocervical surfaces, making skin leukocytes a suitable system for investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To independently investigate the tropism of HIV-1 subtype E and B isolates for skin leukocytes.
- To determine if purified dendritic cells (DCs) support the replication of HIV-1 subtypes B and E.
Main Methods:
- Applying subtype E and B HIV-1 isolates to skin leukocytes in an independent experimental system.
- Analyzing infection patterns in DC-T-cell mixtures.
- Assessing the replication capacity of HIV-1 strains in purified DCs.
Main Results:
- Isolates of both HIV-1 subtypes B and E infected DC-T-cell mixtures.
- No subtype-specific pattern of infection was observed in these mixtures.
- Purified dendritic cells (DCs) did not support the replication of either subtype B or E HIV-1 strains.
Conclusions:
- The findings do not support the hypothesis that HIV-1 subtype E strains have a preferential tropism for dendritic cells (DCs).
- Alternative explanations for the rapid heterosexual spread of HIV-1 subtype E strains in Asia need to be considered.
Abstract:
A report that genetic subtype E human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) strains display a preferential tropism for Langerhans cells (epidermal dendritic cells [DCs]) compared to genetic subtype B strains suggested a possible explanation for the rapid heterosexual spread of subtype E strains in Thailand (L. E. Soto-Ramirez et al., Science 271:1291-1293, 1996). In an independent system, we applied subtype E and B isolates to skin leukocytes, since skin is a relevant model for the histologically comparable surfaces of the vagina and ectocervix. Isolates of both HIV-1 subtypes infected DC-T-cell mixtures, and no subtype-specific pattern of infection was observed. Purified DCs did not support the replication of strains of either subtype B or E. Our findings do not support the conclusion that subtype E strains have a preferential tropism for DCs, suggesting that other explanations for the rapid heterosexual spread of subtype E strains in Asia should be considered.
