Correlates of latent and productive HIV type-1 infection in tonsillar CD4 super(+) T cells

Correlates of virus load and characteristics of virus-producing cells in tonsillar tissue were investigated. Our results suggest that when less than 1:100 tonsillar CD4 super(+) T cells from individuals infected with HIV type-1 (HIV-1) contain replication competent provirus, the level of CD4 super(+...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS 1997-08, Vol.94 (17), p.9332-9336
Main Authors: Rosok, B, Brinchmann, JE, Voltersvik, P, Olofsson, J, Bostad, L, Aasjoe, B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
human immunodeficiency virus 1
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Summary:Correlates of virus load and characteristics of virus-producing cells in tonsillar tissue were investigated. Our results suggest that when less than 1:100 tonsillar CD4 super(+) T cells from individuals infected with HIV type-1 (HIV-1) contain replication competent provirus, the level of CD4 super(+) T cells in tonsils is comparable to that observed in uninfected individuals. Virus load at or above this level was associated with low CD4 cell numbers in tonsillar tissue. Only a few percent of all infected T cells in tonsillar tissue were active virus producers, with minor differences observed between individuals. Plasma viremia was found to correlate with infectious virus load in tonsillar tissue. With less than 1:1,000 of CD4 cells in lymphoid tissues being involved in active virus production, direct cytopathic effect by HIV-1 on infected CD4 cells is unlikely to fully explain the immunodeficiency seen in AIDS.
ISSN:0027-8424