The influence of cytokines, chemokines and their receptors on HIV-1 replication in monocytes and macrophages

Abstract

Monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells play an important role in the initial infection and contribute to its pathogenesis throughout the course of infection. Myeloid cells express CD4 and chemokine receptors known for HIV-1 fusion and entry. The β-chemokine receptor, CCR5, is the major co-receptor in conjunction with CD4 for macrophage (M)-tropic or (R5) isolates of HIV-1, whereas the α-chemokine receptor, CXCR4, facilitates entry of T-tropic or (X4) HIV-1 strains. Cells of myeloid lineage may be infected predominantly with R5-strains, although infection with dual-tropic isolates of HIV-1 (exhibiting the capacity to use CCR-5 and/or CXCR-4 for entry) or some strains of X4-isolates has al..