CCR7 ligands CCL19 and CCL21 increase permissiveness of resting memory CD4+ T cells to HIV-1 infection: a novel model of HIV-1 latency

S Saleh, A Solomon, F Wightman… - Blood, The Journal …, 2007 - ashpublications.org
S Saleh, A Solomon, F Wightman, M Xhilaga, PU Cameron, SR Lewin
Blood, The Journal of the American Society of Hematology, 2007ashpublications.org
Latent HIV-1 infection of resting memory CD4+ T cells represents the major barrier to HIV-1
eradication. To determine whether the CCR7 ligands involved in lymphocyte migration can
alter HIV-1 infection of resting CD4+ T cells, we infected purified resting CD4+ T cells after
incubation with the chemokines CCL19 and CCL21. Incubation with CCL19 or CCL21 did
not alter markers of T-cell activation or proliferation. However, after HIV-1 infection of CCL19-
or CCL21-treated CD4+ T-cells, we observed low-level HIV-1 production but high …
Latent HIV-1 infection of resting memory CD4+ T cells represents the major barrier to HIV-1 eradication. To determine whether the CCR7 ligands involved in lymphocyte migration can alter HIV-1 infection of resting CD4+ T cells, we infected purified resting CD4+ T cells after incubation with the chemokines CCL19 and CCL21. Incubation with CCL19 or CCL21 did not alter markers of T-cell activation or proliferation. However, after HIV-1 infection of CCL19- or CCL21-treated CD4+ T-cells, we observed low-level HIV-1 production but high concentrations of integrated HIV-1 DNA, approaching that seen in mitogen-stimulated T-cell blasts. Restimulation of CCL19-treated infected CD4+ T cells resulted in virus production consistent with establishment of postintegration latency. CCR7 ligands facilitate efficient entry of HIV-1 into resting CD4+ T cells. These studies demonstrate a unique action of the chemokines CCL19 and CCL21 and provide a novel model with which to study HIV-1 latency in vitro.
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