Human Immunodeficiency Virus Integration Efficiency and Site Selection in Quiescent CD4+ T Cells

DN Vatakis, S Kim, N Kim, SA Chow, JA Zack - Journal of virology, 2009 - Am Soc Microbiol
DN Vatakis, S Kim, N Kim, SA Chow, JA Zack
Journal of virology, 2009Am Soc Microbiol
Until very recently, quiescent CD4+ T cells were thought to be resistant to human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Subsequent studies, attempting to fully elucidate the
mechanisms of resistance, showed that quiescent cells could become infected by HIV at low
efficiency and form a latently infected population. In this study, we set out to identify the sites
of viral integration and to assess the efficiency of the overall integration process in quiescent
cells. Based on our results, HIV integration in quiescent CD4+ T cells occurs in sites similar …
Abstract
Until very recently, quiescent CD4+ T cells were thought to be resistant to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Subsequent studies, attempting to fully elucidate the mechanisms of resistance, showed that quiescent cells could become infected by HIV at low efficiency and form a latently infected population. In this study, we set out to identify the sites of viral integration and to assess the efficiency of the overall integration process in quiescent cells. Based on our results, HIV integration in quiescent CD4+ T cells occurs in sites similar to those of their prestimulated counterparts. While site selections are similar, the integration process in quiescent cells is plagued by the formation of high levels of incorrectly processed viral ends and abortive two-long-terminal-repeat circles.
American Society for Microbiology