The Role of Human Dendritic Cells in HIV-1 Infection

• Published in: Journal of investigative dermatology Vol. 135; no. 5; pp. 1225 - 1233
• Main Authors: Ahmed, Zahra, Kawamura, Tatsuyoshi, Shimada, Shinji, Piguet, Vincent
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.05.2015
• Subjects: Cell Communication - physiology; Dendritic Cells - physiology; HIV Infections - physiopathology; HIV Infections - prevention & control; HIV Infections - transmission; HIV-1; Humans; Langerhans Cells - physiology; Viral Vaccines - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 0022-202X; 1523-1747; 1523-1747
• DOI: 10.1038/jid.2014.490

Dendritic cells (DCs) and their subsets have multifaceted roles in the early stages of HIV-1 transmission and infection. DC studies have led to remarkable discoveries, including identification of restriction factors, cellular structures promoting viral transmission including the infectious synapse or the interplay of the C-type lectins, Langerin on Langerhans cells (LCs), and dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-3-grabbing non-integrin on other DC subsets, limiting or facilitating HIV transmission to CD4+ T cells, respectively. LCs/DCs are also exposed to encountering HIV-1 and other sexually transmitted infections (herpes simplex virus-2, bacteria, fungi), which reprogram HIV-1 interaction with these cells. This review will summarize advances in the role of DCs during HIV-1 infection and discuss their potential involvement in the development of preventive strategies against HIV-1 and other sexually transmitted infections.