HIV-1 gp120 influences the expression of microRNAs in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells via STAT3 activation

ABSTRACT Dendritic cells (DC) are potent antigen-presenting cells that play a crucial role in antigen-specific immune responses. Thus, the targeting of exogenous antigens to DC has become a popular approach for cancer immunotherapy and vaccine development. In this report, we studied the interplay between murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) and human monocyte-derived DC. The results showed that an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-encoding, replication-competent MCMV vector underwent abortive infection in human DC; this was accompanied by the efficient expression of EGFP. Infection of human DC by this vector resulted in a modest increase in the expression of cell surface proteins associated with DC maturation and has no significant effect on the immunostimulatory function of the cells, as reflected by their ability to support T-cell proliferation in a mixed-lymphocyte reaction. Finally, an MCMV vector encoding the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gp120 envelope glycoprotein was constructed and used to infect cultured human DC. The infected DC were shown to be capable of stimulating the expansion of autologous, gp120-specific, class I-restricted T lymphocytes from an HIV-1-negative donor, as determined by tetramer staining and enzyme-linked immunospot analysis. Taken together, these results suggest that MCMV may have potential utility as a vector for human vaccine development.

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Ultrastructural observations of human monocytes infected with HIV-1

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100084843 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 49 ◽

pp. 108-109

Author(s):

James K. Koehler ◽

Steven G. Reed ◽

Joao S. Silva

Keyword(s):

Gradient Centrifugation ◽

Virus Production ◽

Human Monocyte ◽

Red Cross ◽

Human Monocytes ◽

Blood Monocytes ◽

Hiv Replication ◽

Electron Microscopic ◽

Ultrastructural Studies ◽

Hiv 1

As part of a larger study involving the co-infection of human monocyte cultures with HIV and protozoan parasites, electron microscopic observations were made on the course of HIV replication and infection in these cells. Although several ultrastructural studies of the cytopathology associated with HIV infection have appeared, few studies have shown the details of virus production in “normal,” human monocytes/macrophages, one of the natural targets of the virus, and suspected of being a locus of quiescent virus during its long latent period. In this report, we detail some of the interactions of developing virons with the membranes and organelles of the monocyte host.Peripheral blood monocytes were prepared from buffy coats (Portland Red Cross) by Percoll gradient centrifugation, followed by adherence to cover slips. 90-95% pure monocytes were cultured in RPMI with 5% non-activated human AB serum for four days and infected with 100 TCID50/ml of HIV-1 for four hours, washed and incubated in fresh medium for 14 days.

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