Could CD4 capture by CD8+ T cells play a role in HIV spreading?

J Biomed Biotechnol. 2010:2010:907371. doi: 10.1155/2010/907371. Epub 2010 Mar 25.

Abstract

CD8(+) T cells have been shown to capture plasma membrane fragments from target cells expressing their cognate antigen, a process termed "trogocytosis". Here, we report that human CD4, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) receptor, can be found among the proteins transferred by trogocytosis. CD4 is expressed in a correct orientation after its capture by CD8(+) T cells as shown by its detection using conformational antibodies and its ability to allow HIV binding on recipient CD8(+) T cells. Although we could not find direct evidence for infection of CD8(+) T cells having captured CD4 by HIV, CD4 was virologically functional on these cells as it conferred on them the ability to undergo syncytia formation induced by HIV-infected MOLT-4 cells. Our results show that acquisition of CD4 by CD8(+) T cells via trogocytosis could play a previously unappreciated role for CD8(+) T cells in HIV spreading possibly without leading to their infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD4 Antigens / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / virology
  • Cell Line
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Giant Cells / virology
  • HIV / immunology
  • HIV / physiology*
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • HIV Infections / virology*
  • HLA-A2 Antigen / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunological Synapses
  • Mice
  • Virion / metabolism
  • Virus Attachment

Substances

  • CD4 Antigens
  • HLA-A2 Antigen