Differential susceptibility of naïve, central memory and effector memory T cells to dendritic cell-mediated HIV-1 transmission
Groot, F., van Capel, T., Schuitemaker, J., Berkhout, B., de Jong, E. (2006) Retrovirology.
ABSTRACT
Background Dendritic cells (DC) have been proposed to facilitate sexual transmission of HIV-1 by capture of the virus in the mucosa and subsequent transmission to CD4+ T cells. Several T cell subsets can be identified in humans: naïve T cells (TN) that initiate an immune response to new antigens, and memory T cells that respond to previously encountered pathogens. The memory T cell pool comprises central memory (TCM) and effector memory cells (TEM), which are characterized by distinct homing and effector functions. The TEM cell subset, which can be further divided into effector Th1 and Th2 cells, has been shown... Show Full AbstractBackground Dendritic cells (DC) have been proposed to facilitate sexual transmission of HIV-1 by capture of the virus in the mucosa and subsequent transmission to CD4+ T cells. Several T cell subsets can be identified in humans: naïve T cells (TN) that initiate an immune response to new antigens, and memory T cells that respond to previously encountered pathogens. The memory T cell pool comprises central memory (TCM) and effector memory cells (TEM), which are characterized by distinct homing and effector functions. The TEM cell subset, which can be further divided into effector Th1 and Th2 cells, has been shown to be the prime target for viral replication after HIV-1 infection, and is abundantly present in mucosal tissues. Results We determined the susceptibility of TN, TCM and TEM cells to DC-mediated HIV-1 transmission and found that co-receptor expression on the respective T cell subsets is a decisive factor for transmission. Accordingly, CCR5-using (R5) HIV-1 was most efficiently transmitted to TEM cells, and CXCR4-using (X4) HIV-1 was preferentially transmitted to TN cells. Conclusion The highly efficient R5 transfer to TEM cells suggests that mucosal T cells are an important target for DC-mediated transmission. This may contribute to the initial burst of virus replication that is observed in these cells. TN cells, which are the prime target for DC-mediated X4 virus transmission in our study, are considered to inefficiently support HIV-1 replication. Our results thus indicate that DC may play a decisive role in the susceptibility of TN cells to X4 tropic HIV-1. Shorten Abstract
Figure 1. T cell subsets differ in susceptibility to DC-mediated transmission of R5 and X4 HIV-1. (A) DC were incubated with R5 or X4 HIV-1, or mock treated, followed by extensive washing to remove unbound virus. DC were subsequently co-cultured with CD4+... Show Full CaptionFigure 1. T cell subsets differ in susceptibility to DC-mediated transmission of R5 and X4 HIV-1. (A) DC were incubated with R5 or X4 HIV-1, or mock treated, followed by extensive washing to remove unbound virus. DC were subsequently co-cultured with CD4+ naïve T cells (TN), central memory T cells (TCM) or effector memory T cells (TEM) in the presence of saquinavir to prevent spreading infection (single-cycle transmission assay). Two days after transmission, T cells were harvested and stained for CD3 and intracellular CA-p24 to determine the percentage HIV+ T cells. Representative FACS plots are shown. (B) Summary of one representative experiment. Error bars represent standard deviations. * p < 0.05 ; ** p < 0.01; *** p < 0.001. Shorten Caption
FIGURE CAPTION
Figure 2. DC-mediated HIV-1 transmission is co-receptor dependent. (A) FACS analysis of TN, TCM and TEM cells for CD4 and co-receptors CCR5 and CXCR4. Open histograms represent isotype controls. (B) Transmission inhibition by co-receptor ligands and a fusion inhibitor. A single-cycle transmission... Show Full CaptionFigure 2. DC-mediated HIV-1 transmission is co-receptor dependent. (A) FACS analysis of TN, TCM and TEM cells for CD4 and co-receptors CCR5 and CXCR4. Open histograms represent isotype controls. (B) Transmission inhibition by co-receptor ligands and a fusion inhibitor. A single-cycle transmission assay to TN, TCM and TEM cells was performed with R5 and X4 HIV-1 loaded DC. Prior to co-culture with DC, the T cells were pre-incubated with ligands for CCR5 (RANTES) or CXCR4 (AMD3100) (grey bars) or alternatively, with fusion inhibitor T1249 (black bars). After 2 days, the percentage CA-p24+ T cells was determined by FACS. The percentage inhibition of transmission relative to transmission without inhibitors is indicated on the y-axis. Error bars represent standard deviations. Shorten Caption
FIGURE CAPTION
Figure 3. Spreading infection assay. Replication of R5 (A) and X4 (B) virus in TN, TCM and TEM cells after DC-mediated HIV-1 transmission. Alternatively, the T cell subsets were stimulated by crosslinking CD3/CD28 with antibodies and infected with R5 (C) or X4... Show Full CaptionFigure 3. Spreading infection assay. Replication of R5 (A) and X4 (B) virus in TN, TCM and TEM cells after DC-mediated HIV-1 transmission. Alternatively, the T cell subsets were stimulated by crosslinking CD3/CD28 with antibodies and infected with R5 (C) or X4 (D) virus. Viral replication was followed by CA-p24 ELISA on the supernatant. Error bars represent standard deviations. Shorten Caption
FIGURE CAPTION
Figure 4. Method of T cell stimulation determines HIV-1 susceptibility. (A) Comparison of viral replication in TN, TCM and TEM cells that were stimulated by DC or by CD3/CD28 crosslinking with antibodies. The T cells were stimulated for 4 days, harvested and... Show Full CaptionFigure 4. Method of T cell stimulation determines HIV-1 susceptibility. (A) Comparison of viral replication in TN, TCM and TEM cells that were stimulated by DC or by CD3/CD28 crosslinking with antibodies. The T cells were stimulated for 4 days, harvested and re-plated before infection with X4 HIV-1. Viral spread was followed by CA-p24 ELISA, of which the results of day 6 are shown. (B) To measure T cell proliferation TN, TCM or TEM cells were incubated with DC or α-CD3/CD28 antibodies and after 4 days, cellular proliferation was determined by 3H-thymidine incorporation. Error bars represent standard deviations. * p < 0.05 ; ** p < 0.01; *** p < 0.001. Shorten Caption
FIGURE CAPTION
Figure 5. DC transmit HIV-1 with equal efficiency to Th0, Th1 and Th2 cells. (A) In vitro generated polarized populations of Th1 and Th2 cells, or an unbiased population (Th0), were analyzed for intracellular cytokines IFNγ and IL-4 by FACS. The percentage... Show Full CaptionFigure 5. DC transmit HIV-1 with equal efficiency to Th0, Th1 and Th2 cells. (A) In vitro generated polarized populations of Th1 and Th2 cells, or an unbiased population (Th0), were analyzed for intracellular cytokines IFNγ and IL-4 by FACS. The percentage single and double positive cells is indicated. (B) Th0, Th1 and Th2 cells were co-cultured with R5 or X4 virus-loaded DC in a single-cycle transmission assay to determine the transmission efficiency. Different DC subsets were used: DC1 that stimulate TN cells to develop into Th1 cells, DC2 that induce Th2 cells, or DC0 that induce an unpolarized response (Th0). The percentage CA-p24+ T cells was determined by FACS 2 days post transmission. Error bars represent standard deviations. * p < 0.05 ; ** p < 0.01; *** p < 0.001. Shorten Caption