Role of macrophages in the immunopathogenesis of HIV infection

Macrophages play a key role in the immunopathogenesis of HIV-1 infection. Expression of CD4 and both CCR5 and CXCR4 on their cellular surface renders them prime targets for HIV-1. They have a long-life span and reside in several tissues within the body, including immune privileged sites. Their ability to recruit immune cells to the site of infection, phagocytose infected cells and actively disseminate HIV-1 to multiple tissues creates complications for eradication of HIV-1 by both the immune system and current antiretroviral therapies