EARLY MOLECULAR REPLICATION OF HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS TYPE-1 INCULTURED-BLOOD DERIVED T-HELPER DENDRITIC CELLS

The rate and efficiency of key steps in the life cycle of the human im munodeficiency virus type 1 was examined in three primary cell types, T cells, monocytes, and T helper dendritic cells using the same quanti ty of virus involved and same cell number. The results show that viral DNA synthesis proceeds much more rapidly and efficiently in primary T helper dendritic cell populations than in primary T cell and monocyte populations. The increased rate of virus DNA synthesis is attributabl e either to an increase in the efficiency and the rate of uptake of th e virus particles by the T helper dendritic cells, as compared with th at in other cell types, or to an increased efficiency and rate of vira l DNA synthesis in the T helper dendritic cells. In the subsequent pha se of viral expression the appearance of spliced viral mRNA products a lso occur more rapidly in cultures of primary-blood-derived T helper d endritic cells than is the case in primary T cells and monocytes. The increased efficiency of the early steps of HIV-1 replication in primar y-blood-derived T helper dendritic cells than in other blood-derived m ononuclear cells raises the possibility that these cells play a centra l role in HIV-1 infection and pathogenesis.