The HIV-1 viral synapse signals human foreskin keratinocytes to secrete thymic stromal lymphopoietin facilitating HIV-1 foreskin entry

Mucosal Immunol. 2018 Jan;11(1):158-171. doi: 10.1038/mi.2017.23. Epub 2017 Apr 26.

Abstract

The complexity of signal transduction resulting from the contact of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected cells and mucosal cells has hampered our comprehension of HIV-1 mucosal entry. Such process is driven efficiently only by viral synapse contacts, whereas cell-free HIV-1 remains poorly infectious. Using CD4+ T-cells expressing only HIV-1 envelope inoculated on human adult foreskin tissues, we designed methodologies to identify the signals transduced in foreskin keratinocytes following HIV-1-envelope-dependent viral synapse formation. We find that the viral synapse activates the MyD88-independent TLR-4-nuclear factor (NfκB) signaling pathway in keratinocytes and the subsequent secretion of cytokines including thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), a cytokine linking innate and T-helper type 2-adaptive immune responses. Moreover, the viral synapse upregulates the non-coding microRNA miR-375, known to control TSLP, and transfection of keratinocytes with anti-miR-375 blocks significantly TSLP secretion. Thus, the secretion of TSLP by keratinocytes is induced by the viral synapse in a miR-375 controlled manner. At the tissue level, these signals translate into the epidermal redistribution of Langerhans cells and formation of conjugates with T-cells, recapitulating the initial events observed in human foreskin infection by HIV-1. These results open new possibilities for designing strategies to block mucosal HIV-1 transmission, the major pathway by which HIV-1 spreads worldwide.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptive Immunity
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytokines / metabolism*
  • Foreskin / immunology*
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • HIV-1 / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Keratinocytes / immunology*
  • Male
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Signal Transduction
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*
  • Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / metabolism
  • Virus Attachment
  • Virus Internalization

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • MIRN375 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • NF-kappa B
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • TLR4 protein, human
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4
  • Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin