CC-CHEMOKINES ENHANCE THE REPLICATION OF T-TROPIC STRAINS OF HIV-1 INCD4(-CELLS - ROLE OF SIGNAL-TRANSDUCTION() T)

This study demonstrates that several CC-chemokines, including those th at inhibit entry and replication of macrophage-tropic strains of HIV, increase the replication of T cell (T)-tropic strains in CD4(+) T cell s, Enhancement of T-tropic HIV replication is observed at early stages of replication, requires signaling through inhibitory guanine nucleot ide-binding regulatory (Gi) proteins, and is associated with increased cell surface colocalization of CD4 and the T-tropic HIV coreceptor CX CR4. These findings may further our understanding of the factors that influence the replication and spread of T-tropic strains of HIV in viv o and suggest that the use of cell signaling CC-chemokines as therapeu tic agents for the purpose of limiting HIV replication in vivo should be approached with caution.