The role of polymorphonuclear neutrophils during HIV?1infection

Abstract It is well-recognized that human immunodeficiencyvirus type-1 (HIV-1) mainly targets CD4+T cellsand macrophages. Nonetheless, during the past three decades,a huge number of studies have reported that HIV-1 candirectly or indirectly target other cellular components of theimmune system including CD8+T cells, B cells, dendriticcells, natural killer cells, and polymorphonuclear neutrophils(PMNs), among others. PMNs are the most abundant leukocytesin the human circulation, and are known to play principalroles in the elimination of invading pathogens, regulatingdifferent immune responses, healing of injured tissues, andmaintaining mucosal homeostasis. Until recently, little wasknown about the impact of HIV-1 infection on PMNs as wellas the impact of PMNs on HIV-1 disease progression. This isbecause early studies focused on neutropenia and recurrentmicrobial infections, particularly, during advanced disease.However, recent studies have extended the investigation areato cover new aspects of the interactions between HIV-1 andPMNs. This review aims to summarize these advances and address the impact of HIV-1 infection on PMNs as well asthe impact of PMNs on HIV-1 disease progression to betterunderstand the pathophysiology of HIV-1 infection