Dysfunction During Primary HIV-1 Infection Is Independent of Interaction With gp120

Dendritic cells (DCs) have a critical role in sensing the invasion of pathogens, in-cluding human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and in presenting antigen-derived peptides to T cells to ini-tiate adaptive cellular and humoral immune responses. In addition, DCs secrete a wide range of cytokines that reg-ulate T-cell polarization and inflamma-tion. Previous studies have indicated that chronic HIV-1 infection is associated with loss of peripheral DC populations. These DCs also exhibit defective matura-tion and functions [1, 2]. However, it is not known whether these defects are