Efficient Replication of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 in Resting CD4 + T Lymphocytes Is Induced by Coculture with Autologous Dendritic Cells in the Absence of Foreign Antigens

Abstract

ABSTRACT Dendritic cells (DC) are considered to be important contributors to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) transmission and pathogenesis. As the first target cells in mucosal tissues, they can be become productively infected and can also capture virions and transfer them efficiently to CD4 + T cells located within lymphoid tissues. Resting CD4 + T cells appear to be another major target of HIV-1 in vivo, yet several blocks restrict replication in such cells. We report here that physical contact between virus-infected quiescent CD4 + T cells and uninfected autologous immature DC in the absence of any foreign antigen relieves these restrictions, allowing a highly productive HIV-1 replication.