SIV infection induces accumulation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells in the gut mucosa

J Infect Dis. 2012 Nov;206(9):1462-8. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jis408. Epub 2012 Jun 18.

Abstract

Multiple studies suggest that plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are depleted and dysfunctional during human immunodeficiency virus/simian immunodeficiency virus (HIV/SIV) infection, but little is known about pDCs in the gut-the primary site of virus replication. Here, we show that during SIV infection, pDCs were reduced 3--fold in the circulation and significantly upregulated the gut-homing marker α4β7, but were increased 4-fold in rectal biopsies of infected compared to naive macaques. These data revise the understanding of pDC immunobiology during SIV infection, indicating that pDCs are not necessarily depleted, but instead may traffic to and accumulate in the gut mucosa.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biopsy
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / immunology*
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / pathology
  • Gene Expression
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Integrins / biosynthesis
  • Intestinal Mucosa / immunology*
  • Intestinal Mucosa / pathology
  • Macaca mulatta
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Rectum / immunology
  • Rectum / pathology
  • Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / immunology*
  • Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / pathology
  • Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / immunology*

Substances

  • Integrins
  • integrin alpha4beta7