MECHANISMS OF OPSONIZED HIV ENTRY IN NORMAL B-LYMPHOCYTES

Using our in vitro model of normal B cell infection that functions wit h low doses of HIV but requires virus opsonization by seropositive pat ient serum, and complement, me analyzed what receptors allowed virus e ntry. Here, we show that HIV infection of B cells occurs through 2 maj or receptors: the CD4 antigen and the CR1/CR2 complex, These 2 pathmay s work independently since a complete inhibition of virus entry requir es both CD4 and CD21/CD35 blockade on CD4(dim) tonsillar B cells where as only the latter is critical on CD4-negative B cells.