REPLICATION OF HIV-1 IN DENDRITIC CELL-DERIVED SYNCYTIA AT THE MUCOSAL SURFACE OF THE ADENOID

Human immunodeficiency virus-type 1 (HIV-1) replicates actively in inf ected individuals, yet cells with intracellular depots of viral protei n are observed only infrequently. Many cells expressing the HIV-1 Gag protein were detected at the surface of the nasopharyngeal tonsil or a denoid. This infected mucosal surface contained T cells and dendritic cells, two cell types that together support HIV-1 replication in cultu re. The infected cells were multinucleated syncytia and expressed the S100 and p55 dendritic cell markers. Eleven of the 13 specimens analyz ed were from donors who did not have symptoms of acquired immunodefici ency syndrome (AIDS). The interaction of dendritic cells and T cells i n mucosa may support HIV-1 replication, even in subclinical stages of infection.