Vaginal langerhans cells nonproductively transporting HIV-1 mediate infection of T cells

J Virol. 2011 Dec;85(24):13443-7. doi: 10.1128/JVI.05615-11. Epub 2011 Oct 5.

Abstract

Although implied by other models, proof that Langerhans cells (LCs) in the human vagina participate in dissemination of infectious human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) has been lacking. Here, we show that LCs migrate from HIV-1-exposed vaginal epithelia and pass infectious virus to CD4+ T cells without being productively infected themselves, and we point to a pathway that might enable HIV-1 to avoid degradation in vaginal LCs. Transport by migratory LCs to local lymphatics in a nonproductive but infectious form may aid HIV-1 in evasion of topical microbicides that target its intracellular productive life cycle.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / virology*
  • Cell Movement
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / transmission*
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • HIV-1 / growth & development*
  • HIV-1 / pathogenicity*
  • Humans
  • Langerhans Cells / virology*
  • Vagina / immunology*
  • Vagina / virology*