The HIV-1-containing macrophage compartment:: a perfect cellular niche?

• Autores: Joshua Tan, Quentin J. Sattentau
• Localización: Trends in microbiology, ISSN 0966-842X, Vol. 21, Nº. 8, 2013, págs. 405-412
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Macrophages are a major target of HIV-1 infection and are believed to act as viral reservoirs and mediators of HIV-1-associated neurological damage. These pathological roles may be associated with the ability of the virus to assemble and accumulate in apparently intracellular compartments in macrophages. These so-called virus-containing compartments were initially thought to be late endosomes or multivesicular bodies, but it has since been shown that they are distinct structures that have complex three-dimensional morphology, a unique set of protein markers, and features such as a near-neutral pH and frequent connections to the extracellular milieu. These features appear to protect HIV-1 from hostile elements both within and outside the cell. This review discusses the cellular and molecular characteristics of HIV-1-containing compartments in macrophages and how they offer a safe haven for the virus, with important consequences for pathogenesis.