Primary intestinal epithelial cells selectively transfer R5 HIV-1 to CCR5+ cells

The upper gastrointestinal tract is a principal route of HIV-1 entry in vertical transmission and after oral-genital contact. The phenotype of the newly acquired virus is predominantly R5 (CCR5-tropic) and not X4 (CXCR4-tropic), although both R5 and X4 viruses are frequently inoculated onto the mucosa. Here we show that primary intestinal (jejunal) epithelial cells express galactosylceramide, an alternative primary receptor for HIV-1, and CCR5 but not CXCR4. Moreover, we show that intestinal epithelial cells transfer R5, but not X4, viruses to CCR5[sup.+] indicator cells, which can efficiently replicate and amplify virus expression. Transfer was remarkably efficient and was not inhibited by the fusion blocker T-20, but was substantially reduced by colchicine and low (4 [degrees]C) temperature, suggesting endocytotic uptake and microtubule-dependent transcytosis of HIV-1. Our finding that CCR5[sup.+] intestinal epithelial cells select and transfer exclusively R5 viruses indicates a mechanism for the selective transmission of R5 HIV-1 in primary infection acquired through the upper gastrointestinal tract.
Author(s): Gang Meng [1]; Xiping Wei [5]; Xiaoyun Wu [1]; Marty T. Sellers [2]; Julie M. Decker [5]; Zina Moldoveanu [3]; Jan M. Orenstein [6]; Martin F. Graham [7]; John [...]