HIV-1 Capture and Transmission by Dendritic Cells: The Role of Viral Glycolipids and the Cellular Receptor Siglec-1

Dendritic cells (DCs) are essential in order to combat invading viruses and trigger antiviral responses. Paradoxically, in the case of HIV-1, DCs might contribute to viral pathogenesis through trans-infection, a mechanism that promotes viral capture and transmission to target cells, especially after DC maturation. In this review, we highlight recent evidence identifying sialyllactose-containing gangliosides in the viral membrane and the cellular lectin Siglec-1 as critical determinants for HIV-1 capture and storage by mature DCs and for DC-mediated trans-infection of T cells. In contrast, DC-SIGN, long considered to be the main receptor for DC capture of HIV-1, plays a minor role in mature DC-mediated HIV-1 capture and trans-infection.Work in JMP group is supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through grant SAF2010-21224 and the Spanish AIDS network "Red Tematica Cooperativa de Investigacion en SIDA" (RD06/0006). NIU is supported by the Mathilde Krim Fellowship in basic biomedical research 108676 founded by "AmfAR" AIDS research Foundation. The funders had no role in the design and preparation of this review, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript