Abstract
The ability of HIV-1 to evade the host immune response leads to the establishment of chronic infection. HIV-1 has been reported to up-regulate MHC I molecules on the surface of thymocytes from HIV-1-infected thymus. We demonstrate in this study that HIV-1 up-regulates MHC I on both HIV-1-infected and uninfected thymocytes in a manner that is independent of Nef, proportional to viral replication, and entirely mediated by IFN-alpha. IL-3Ralpha+ type 2 predendritic cells (preDC2) resident in the thymic medulla secrete IFN-alpha, which acts on IFN-alphabetaR-expressing immature thymocytes to induce MHC I expression. Furthermore, thymic preDC2 are permissive for HIV-1 infection and positive for intracellular p24. These data demonstrate the ability of IFN-alpha secreted by preDC2 to induce MHC I up-regulation in the HIV-1-infected human thymus.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Dendritic Cells / immunology*
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Dendritic Cells / metabolism
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HIV Core Protein p24 / biosynthesis
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HIV Infections / immunology*
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HIV Infections / virology
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HIV-1* / genetics
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HIV-1* / isolation & purification
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Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / biosynthesis*
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Humans
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Interferon-alpha / metabolism
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Interferon-alpha / pharmacology
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Interferon-alpha / physiology*
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Interleukin-3 Receptor alpha Subunit
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Mice
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Mice, SCID
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Organ Culture Techniques
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RNA, Viral / analysis
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Receptors, Interleukin-3 / analysis
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Stem Cells / immunology
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Stem Cells / metabolism
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T-Lymphocytes / immunology
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T-Lymphocytes / virology
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Thymus Gland / cytology
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Thymus Gland / immunology
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Thymus Gland / virology*
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Up-Regulation
Substances
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HIV Core Protein p24
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Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
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IL3RA protein, human
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Interferon-alpha
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Interleukin-3 Receptor alpha Subunit
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RNA, Viral
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Receptors, Interleukin-3