HIV Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about HIV, including details on human immunodeficiency virus, testing, treatment, prevention, vaccines, aids.

Endocytic host cell machinery plays a dominant role in intracellular trafficking of incoming human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in human placental trophoblasts.

Vidricaire G, Imbeault M, Tremblay MJ

Research Center in Infectious Diseases, RC709, CHUL Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, Canada.

Vertical transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is the primary cause of infection by this retrovirus in infants. In this study, we report for the first time that there is a correlation between endocytic uptake of HIV-1 and virus gene expression in polarized trophoblasts. To shed light on the relationship between endocytosis and the fate of HIV-1 in polarized trophoblasts, the step-by-step movements of HIV-1 within the endocytic compartments were tracked by confocal imaging. Incoming virions were initially located in early endosomes. As time progressed, virions accumulated in late endosomes. HIV-1 was also found in apical recycling endosomes and at the basolateral pole. Experiments performed with indicator cells revealed that HIV-1 is recycled and transcytosed. These data indicate that the intracellular trafficking of HIV-1 upon entry into polarized human trophoblasts is a complex process which requires the active participation of the endocytic host cell machinery.

Published 13 October 2004 in J Virol, 78(21): 11904-15.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 HIV Research Today. All Rights Reserved.