The immunodeficiency virus coreceptor, Bonzo/STRL33/TYMSTR, is expressed by macaque and human skin- and blood-derived dendritic cells

Dendritic cells (DCs) have been shown to be important in the replication of human and simian immunodeficiency viruses (HIV and SIV, respectively) in v ivo and in vitro. DCs express CD4 and several chemokine receptors, such as CCR5 and CXCR4, which are important for viral entry. In vivo, DCs are abund ant at body surfaces, where they might be one of the first cells that encou nter naturally transmitted virus. Furthermore, DCs pulsed with HIV or SIV i n vitro can efficiently transmit virus to T cells, thereby propagating vigo rous viral replication. Reports have implicated Bonzo/STRL33/TYMSTR to be a n additional alternative coreceptor for HIV and especially SIV infection. H owever, at present there are no reports regarding the expression of Bonzo/S TRL33/TYMSTR by human or macaque DCs. Here we demonstrate the presence of B onzo/STRL33/TYMSTR transcripts in rhesus macaque and human skin-derived DCs , in immature and mature blood monocyte-derived DCs, and in T cells from bo th skin and blood. Therefore, Bonzo/STRL33/TYMSTR is expressed in DCs and T cells that can play a role in the transmission of immunodeficiency viruses .