Oscillation of the human immunodeficiency virus surface receptor is regulated by the state of viral activation in a CD4+ cell model of chronic infection

Enhanced HIV replication in monocytic cells following engagement of adhesion molecules and contact with stimulated T cells

HIV-infected macrophages form a major reservoir of virus within tissue and are present in multiple tissue sites. Control of HIV replication within this cell population is likely to have profound effects on the pathogenesis of HIV infection. Cell-cell interaction between CD4+ T cells and macrophages is a crucial part of antigen presentation and has the potential to continually seed HIV infection of such T cells, maintaining high levels of infected cells within lymph nodes. Interaction of T cells and macrophages is controlled by engagement of cell membrane adhesion molecules which effect discrete intracellular signalling pathways. We have investigated the effects of cross-linkage of specific adhesion molecules and contact with T cells on HIV replication in chronically infected monocytic cell line OM10.1. Cross-linkage of CD18, CD29 or CD45 by immobilized antibodies specifically enhanced HIV replication in OM10.1 cells; cross-linkage of a panel of other cell surface proteins had no effect on HIV replication. Enhancement of HIV replication following cross-linkage of CD18, CD29 or CD45 was dependent upon TNF alpha secretion. Such adhesion molecules are involved in macrophage adhesion to other cells. In further experiments, we demonstrated that contact of OM10.1 cells with stimulated fixed T cells or isolated T-cell membranes potently enhanced HIV replication in a TNF-dependent manner, while in contrast, unstimulated fixed T cells or T-cell membranes had no effect on HIV replication. Cross-linkage of monocyte cell membrane adhesion molecules on contact with stimulated fixed T cells mimics adhesion molecule ligation induced during antigen presentation. Activation of HIV replication in monocytic cells on T cell-macrophage adhesion during antigen presentation would facilitate HIV infection and subsequent deletion of CD4+ T cells in an antigen-specific manner. This phenomenon may play a role in the sequential loss of antigen specific CD4+ T cells seen in HIV-infected patients.

Transcriptional activation and chromatin remodeling of the HIV-1 promoter in response to histone acetylation

After integration in the host cell genome, the HIV-1 provirus is packaged into chromatin. A specific chromatin disruption occurs in the HIV-1 promoter during transcriptional activation in response to TNF-alpha, suggesting that chromatin plays a repressive role in HIV-1 transcription and that chromatin modification(s) might result in transcriptional activation. We have treated several cell lines latently infected with HIV-1 with two new specific inhibitors of histone deacetylase, trapoxin (TPX) and trichostatin A (TSA), to cause a global hyperacetylation of cellular histones. Treatment with both drugs results in the transcriptional activation of the HIV-1 promoter and in a marked increase in virus production. Dose-response curves and kinetic analysis show a close correlation between the level of histone acetylation and HIV-1 gene expression. In contrast, both TPX and TSA have little or no effect on HIV-1 promoter activity following transient transfection of an HIV-1 promoter-reporter plasmid. Activation of HIV-1 transcription by TSA and TPX treatment occurs in the absence of NF-kappa B induction. Chromatin analysis of the HIV-1 genome shows that a single nucleosome (nuc-1) located at the transcription start and known to be disrupted following TNF-alpha treatment, is also disrupted following TPX or TSA treatment. This disruption is independent of transcription as it is resistant to alpha-amanitin. These observations further support the crucial role played by nuc-1 in the suppression of HIV-1 transcription during latency and demonstrate that transcriptional activation of HIV-1 can proceed through a chromatin modification.

Inhibition of HIV activation in latently infected cells by flavonoid compounds

Acute HIV-1 infection of H9 and C8166 cultures has been shown to be suppressed by certain flavonoids, and evidence for inhibition of HIV-1 protease, integrase, and reverse transcriptase by flavonoids also exists. The present aim was to determine whether flavonoids inhibit HIV-1 activation in models of latent infection. By screening flavonoids from six different classes, three structurally related compounds (chrysin, acacetin, and apigenin) were identified that inhibited HIV expression in TNF-alpha-treated OM-10.1 cultures. The three compounds had favorable potencies against HIV activation in relation to their growth inhibitory effects (therapeutic index 5-10). Chrysin also inhibited HIV expression in response to PMA in OM-10.1 cells, in ACH-2 cells stimulated with either TNF-alpha or PMA, and in 8E5 cultures. Furthermore, return to viral latency in OM-10.1 cells previously exposed to TNF-alpha occurred over a shorter time interval when chrysin was added. The inhibition of HIV activation was not dependent on preincubation with flavonoids relative to TNF, and was characterized by a lack of HIV RNA accumulation by Northern analysis. Gel-shift experiments revealed that NF-kappa B activation after TNF-alpha treatment was not inhibited by these agents, suggesting that some other critical factor(s) needed for viral transcription was being affected. These findings indicate that flavonoids inhibit HIV-1 activation via a novel mechanism, and that these agents are potential candidates for therapeutic strategies aimed at maintaining a cellular state of HIV-1 latency.

Compounds that target novel cellular components involved in HIV-1 transcription

BACKGROUND

Therapeutic intervention designed to block expression of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) at a cellular level may slow the clinical progression of HIV-1 disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cellular models of latent (OM-10.1 and U1) and chronic (8E5) HIV infection were used to evaluate two benzothiophene derivatives, PD 121871 and PD 144795, for an ability to inhibit HIV activation and expression.

RESULTS

The benzothiophene derivatives were effective at micromolar concentrations in preventing tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha)-induced HIV-1 expression in OM 10.1 and U1 cultures. These compounds inhibited the activation of HIV-1 transcription; however, this inhibition was selective in that another TNF alpha-induced response, the transcription of autocrine TNF alpha, was unaffected. Constitutive HIV-1 expression by chronically infected 8E5 cells was also significantly reduced when treated with these experimental compounds. In TNF alpha-treated OM-10.1 cultures, the inhibition of HIV-1 transcription by these compounds was not due to a block of nuclear factor-kappa B induction. The benzothiophene derivatives also inhibited HIV-1 activation by phorbol ester treatment of OM-10.1 promyelocytes, although no inhibition of cellular differentiation toward a macrophage-like phenotype was observed. Furthermore, these experimental compounds induced a state of HIV-1 latency in cytokine-activated OM-10.1 cultures even when maintained under constant TNF alpha stimulation. The benzothiophene derivatives did not inhibit the activity of the HIV-1 trans-activator, Tat, when evaluated in transient transfection assays.

CONCLUSIONS

The benzothiophene derivatives appear to inhibit a critical cellular component, distinct from nuclear factor-kappa B, involved in HIV transcription and may serve to identify new therapeutic targets to restrict HIV expression.

Activation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in monocytoid cells by the protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani

In this study, we demonstrated that the protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani and one of its major surface molecules, the lipophosphoglycan (LPG), can induce human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) expression in U1 and OM-10.1, two cell lines of monocytoid origin latently infected with HIV-1. Treatment of U1 cells with various concentrations of LPG (1, 5, and 10 microM) resulted in a dose-dependent secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). Suppression of LPG-induced HIV-1 expression by polyclonal anti-TNF-alpha antibodies further confirmed the involvement of this cytokine. Results from these studies indicate that the protozoan parasite L. donovani can induce the secretion of TNF-alpha that will function in an autocrine or paracrine manner to upregulate HIV-1 expression. Our data suggest for the first time that this protozoan parasite can be viewed as a potential cofactor in the pathogenesis of AIDS.

CD4 Lymphocyte enumeration: comparison between flow cytometry and enzyme immunoassay

Assessment of the CD4 lymphocyte number, currently performed by flow cytometry, is one of the main laboratory tests for establishing progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). An enzyme immunoassay has recently been commercialized which can be very useful for counting CD4 cells in laboratories where flow cytometers are not available. In the present study, a comparative evaluation of CD4 positive lymphocytes with flow cytometry and the enzyme assay was made in healthy subjects (N = 30, R = 0.88, P < 0.0001), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals (N = 80, R = 0.91, P < 0.0001), and patients with autoimmune diseases (N = 28, R = 0.82, P < 0.001) or psoriasis (N = 18, R = 0.76, P = 0.01). A correlation between the two methodologies was not found in psoriatic patients under treatment with cyclosporin A (N = 7, R = 0.05, not significant). Some differences could be found at low CD4 lymphocyte levels since the influence of CD4 antigen eluted from monocytes or soluble CD4 in the whole blood sample could cause overestimation of CD4 cell numbers by the enzyme assay.

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) CD4 receptor and its central role in promotion of HIV-1 infection

Interactions between the viral envelope glycoprotein gp120 and the cell surface receptor CD4 are responsible for the entry of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) into host cells in the vast majority of cases. HIV-1 replication is commonly followed by the disappearance or receptor downmodulation of cell surface CD4. This potentially renders cells nonsusceptible to subsequent infection by HIV-1, as well as by other viruses that use CD4 as a portal of entry. Disappearance of CD4 from the cell surface is mediated by several different viral proteins that act at various stages through the course of the viral life cycle, and it occurs in T-cell lines, peripheral blood CD4+ lymphocytes, and monocytes of both primary and cell line origin. At the cell surface, gp120 itself and in the form of antigen-antibody complexes can trigger cellular pathways leading to CD4 internalization. Intracellularly, the mechanisms leading to CD4 downmodulation by HIV-1 are multiple and complex; these include degradation of CD4 by Vpu, formation of intracellular complexes between CD4 and the envelope precursor gp160, and internalization by the Nef protein. Each of the above doubtless contributes to the ultimate depletion of cell surface CD4, although the relative contribution of each mechanism and the manner in which they interact remain to be definitively established.

Extracellular Vpr protein increases cellular permissiveness to human immunodeficiency virus replication and reactivates virus from latency

The vpr gene product of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and simian immunodeficiency virus is a virion-associated regulatory protein that has been shown using vpr mutant viruses to increase virus replication, particularly in monocytes/macrophages. We have previously shown that vpr can directly inhibit cell proliferation and induce cell differentiation, events linked to the control of HIV replication, and also that the replication of a vpr mutant but not that of wild-type HIV type 1 (HIV-1) was compatible with cellular proliferation (D. N. Levy, L. S. Fernandes, W. V. Williams, and D. B. Weiner, Cell 72:541-550, 1993). Here we show that purified recombinant Vpr protein, in concentrations of < 100 pg/ml to 100 ng/ml, increases wild-type HIV-1 replication in newly infected transformed cell lines via a long-lasting increase in cellular permissiveness to HIV replication. The activity of extracellular Vpr protein could be completely inhibited by anti-Vpr antibodies. Extracellular Vpr also induced efficient HIV-1 replication in newly infected resting peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Extracellular Vpr transcomplemented a vpr mutant virus which was deficient in replication in promonocytic cells, restoring full replication competence. In addition, extracellular Vpr reactivated HIV-1 expression in five latently infected cell lines of T-cell, B-cell, and promonocytic origin which normally express very low levels of HIV RNA and protein, indicating an activation of translational or pretranslational events in the virus life cycle. Together, these results describe a novel pathway governing HIV replication and a potential target for the development of anti-HIV therapeutics.

Homologous interference resulting from the presence of defective particles of human immunodeficiency virus type 1

Defective particles are naturally occurring virus mutants that lack one or more genes required for viral replication. Such viruses may affect positively or negatively the symptoms of the disease. Thus, it is of great interest to measure the role played by defective particles in the process of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection since accumulating evidence indicates that a great proportion of HIV genomes are defective. We used defective particles produced by two stable cellular clones (UHC-8 and UHC-18) to investigate whether they can affect replication of infectious viral particles generated by a human T-cell line transfected with a molecular HIV-1 clone. Progeny virus harvested from UHC-8 cells has no reverse transcriptase and integrase proteins, while UHC-18 has no reverse transcriptase protein. We demonstrate here that coinoculation of a T-lymphoid cell line and of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with defective and infectious particles leads to a dramatic inhibition of virus replication. Defective particles do not interfere with virus production from proviral DNA. Rather, the inhibition of reinfection events seems to be their mechanism of action. This model closely parallels the in vivo conditions and demonstrates that defective particles may limit the spread of infection and progression of the disease by reducing the yield of infectious virus.

Serum Vpr regulates productive infection and latency of human immunodeficiency virus type 1

In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive individuals, the vast majority of infected peripheral blood cells and lymph node cells may be latently or nonproductively infected. The vpr open reading frame of HIV-1 encodes a 15-kDa virion-associated protein, Vpr. The vpr gene has been shown to increase virus replication in T cells and monocyte/macrophages in vitro. We have previously reported that vpr expression in various tumor lines leads to growth inhibition and differentiation, indicating that Vpr may function as a regulator of cellular permissiveness to HIV replication. Here we show that Vpr protein is present in significant amounts in the serum of AIDS patients. Purified serum Vpr activated virus expression from five latently infected cell lines, U1, OM.10.1, ACH-2, J1.1, and LL58. Serum Vpr also activated virus expression from resting peripheral blood mononuclear cells of HIV-infected individuals. Together, these findings implicate serum Vpr in the activation of HIV replication in vivo and in the control of latency. Anti-Vpr antibodies inhibited Vpr activity, suggesting that humoral immunity modulates Vpr activity in vivo. These results have broad implications for the virus life cycle and for the prospective control of HIV replication and pathogenesis.

Opposing regulatory effects of thioredoxin and eosinophil cytotoxicity-enhancing factor on the development of human immunodeficiency virus 1

Exogenous recombinant human thioredoxin (rTRX, > or = 500 nM), a dithiol reductase enzyme, inhibited the expression of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) 1BaL in human macrophages (M phi) by 71% (range, 26-100%), as evaluated by p24 antigen production and the integration of provirus at 14 d after infection. The stoichiometric reducing agent N-acetylcysteine (NAC) also inhibited HIV production, but to a lesser degree, and only at 30,000-fold higher concentrations. Exogenous rTRX is cleaved by M phi to generate the inflammatory cytokine, eosinophil cytotoxicity-enhancing factor (ECEF). In contrast to rTRX, rECEF (concentrations from 50 pM to 2 microM) enhanced the production of HIV by 67% (range, 33-92%). Thus, whereas TRX is a potent inhibitor of the expression of HIV in human M phi, cleavage of TRX to ECEF creates a mediator with the opposite effect. TRX also inhibited the expression of integrated provirus in the chronically infected OM 10.1 cell line, showing that it can act at a step subsequent to viral infection and integration.

Stimulation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 expression by ceramide

Ceramide, an intracellular lipid mediator of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) action, was studied for its effects on the expression of the proviral human immunodeficiency virus type 1 genome in latently infected myelomonocytic cell lines U-1IIIB and OM-10.1. Ceramide treatment resulted in a 20- to 100-fold enhancement of HIV production in these cells. Ceramide also enhanced the expression of the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene directed by a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 long terminal repeat in transfected U-937 cells, indicating that ceramide acts at the level of viral transcription. These observations suggest that the TNF-ceramide signaling system may be involved in the regulation of HIV expression in certain myeloid cell types.

Cellular adherence enhances HIV replication in monocytic cells

Cellular adherence is important for monocyte migration and function and is known to induce monocyte activation, leading to the production of mRNA for several proto-oncogenes and cytokines. In addition, since cellular adherence has important intracellular signalling function, it has the potential to enhance human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication in monocytic cells. We have investigated the effects of adhesion of the monocytic cell line THP-1 transfected with HIV1 or HIV2 long terminal repeat chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (LTR CAT) constructs. These studies have shown that adherence to tissue culture plastic or confluent endothelial cells is essential for enhanced HIV LTR CAT expression in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cells. In addition, we have investigated the effects of engagement of specific adhesion molecules, using immobilized antibodies, on HIV replication in the promonocytic cell line OM101, which contains a single latent proviral copy of HIV. Such studies have demonstrated that engagement of CD18, the beta subunit of the lymphocyte function-related antigen-1 (LFA-1) and major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II) enhanced HIV replication. LFA-1 is involved in both monocyte-endothelial cell interactions and monocyte-T-cell interactions, and MHC II is involved in monocyte interaction with antigen-specific T cells. These data suggest that such interactions of membrane adhesion molecules with their appropriate ligand enhance HIV replication in vivo. Thus, this study has demonstrated that cellular adherence is a key regulatory factor of HIV replication in monocytic cells.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNA expression by four chronically infected cell lines indicates multiple mechanisms of latency

Recent information has suggested that posttranscriptional mechanisms, whereby human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RNA exists as multiply spliced transcripts without promoting an accumulation of the larger messages, are responsible for maintaining a stable state of nonproductive viral expression or viral latency. To test the universality of these observations, we compared the patterns of viral RNA splicing and the frequencies of cells actually harboring HIV-1 RNA in four chronically HIV-1-infected cell lines (U1 [promonocytic], ACH-2 [T lymphocytic], OM-10.1 [promyelocytic], and J1.1 [T lymphocytic]). In uninduced U1 and ACH-2 cultures, a high frequency of cells (approximately one in six) contained HIV-1 RNA but mainly as multiply spliced transcripts, again supporting a posttranscriptional mechanism maintaining viral latency. In sharp contrast, only 1 in 50 cells in uninduced OM-10.1 and J1.1 cultures contained HIV-1 RNA, indicating a primary transcriptional mechanism controlling viral expression in these cells. Furthermore, those OM-10.1 and J1.1 cells that did contain viral RNA were in a state of productive HIV-1 expression marked by the presence of both spliced and unspliced transcripts. Even though the total absence of viral RNA in the majority of OM-10.1 and J1.1 cells indicated a state of absolute latency, treatment with tumor necrosis factor alpha induced transcription of HIV-1 RNA in nearly 100% of the cells in all four of the chronically infected cultures. Tumor necrosis factor alpha induction of U1, ACH-2, and OM-10.1 cultures resulted in an initial accumulation of multiply spliced HIV-1 RNA followed by a transition to the larger unspliced viral RNA transcripts. This RNA splice transition was less apparent in the J1.1 cell line. These results demonstrate that host cell-specific transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms are important factors in the control of HIV-1 latency.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1-associated CD4 downmodulation

This chapter discusses human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) associated with CD4 downmodulation. It also discusses the structure and function of CD4 and p56^lck and factors involved in hiv-1-associated cd4 downmodulation. There are, at present, at least three HIV-1 gene products known to be involved in cell surface CD4 downmodulation. These are Nef, Vpu, and gp160. Whereas Nef is expressed during the early phase of HIV-1 gene expression, both Vpu and gp160, which appear to act coordinately, are expressed during the late phase. This functional convergence of HIV-1 proteins on cell surface CD4 downmodulation, whether specific or nonspecific in activity, suggests that this event is of critical importance in the life cycle of HIV-1. Further elucidation of the mechanisms that underlie CD4 cell surface downmodulation may lead to the development of novel strategies aimed at preventing such events, and potentially to the development of new therapeutic approaches.

Cytokine involvement in viral permissiveness and the progression of HIV disease

Many viruses have evolved novel means of exploiting host defense mechanisms for their own survival. This exploitation may be best exemplified by the interrelationships between certain viruses and the host cytokine networks. Many viruses, including the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1), rely on the liberation and cellular action of host immune cytokines to expand their host cell range, to regulate their cellular expression, and to maintain their dormant state until the proper extracellular conditions arise. As again exemplified by HIV-1, viruses may also take an active role regulating cytokine expression and cell surface cytokine receptors. Because the viral life cycle, and in particular the HIV-1 life cycle, is so intertwined with cytokine regulatory networks, these networks represent potential points for therapeutic intervention. As our understanding of cellular cytokine pathways involved in viral infection and replication continues to expand, so too will our ability to design rational anti-viral therapies to alter multiple steps along the viral life cycle.

Pathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus infection

The lentivirus human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes AIDS by interacting with a large number of different cells in the body and escaping the host immune response against it. HIV is transmitted primarily through blood and genital fluids and to newborn infants from infected mothers. The steps occurring in infection involve an interaction of HIV not only with the CD4 molecule on cells but also with other cellular receptors recently identified. Virus-cell fusion and HIV entry subsequently take place. Following virus infection, a variety of intracellular mechanisms determine the relative expression of viral regulatory and accessory genes leading to productive or latent infection. With CD4+ lymphocytes, HIV replication can cause syncytium formation and cell death; with other cells, such as macrophages, persistent infection can occur, creating reservoirs for the virus in many cells and tissues. HIV strains are highly heterogeneous, and certain biologic and serologic properties determined by specific genetic sequences can be linked to pathogenic pathways and resistance to the immune response. The host reaction against HIV, through neutralizing antibodies and particularly through strong cellular immune responses, can keep the virus suppressed for many years. Long-term survival appears to involve infection with a relatively low-virulence strain that remains sensitive to the immune response, particularly to control by CD8+ cell antiviral activity. Several therapeutic approaches have been attempted, and others are under investigation. Vaccine development has provided some encouraging results, but the observations indicate the major challenge of preventing infection by HIV. Ongoing research is necessary to find a solution to this devastating worldwide epidemic.

Restoration of cell surface CD4 expression in human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected cells by treatment with a Tat antagonist

Productive infection of T lymphocytes with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is accompanied by a diminution of surface CD4 receptors. Treatment of chronically HIV-1-infected CD4-negative T cells in vitro with the Tat antagonist Ro 5-3335 resulted in a drug dose-dependent decrease in virus protein production and a reciprocal increase in surface CD4 display. The drug-treated cells remained viable, showed significantly reduced levels of the full-length and spliced HIV-1 mRNAs as detected by Northern (RNA) blot hybridization, and maintained integrated HIV-1 DNA. In immunoprecipitation studies with drug-treated cells, the levels of free 55-kDa CD4 protein increased and gp160 complexed with CD4 decreased in amount. These results show for the first time that certain cytopathogenic effects of chronic HIV-1 infection can be reversed by suppressing virus expression.

Application of latent HIV-1 infected cellular models to therapeutic intervention

The 10-year period of clinical latency following infection with the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 remains as a tremendous opportunity for therapeutic intervention. To decipher the viral and cellular mechanisms involved in controlling active and nonproductive viral expression, chronically infected cell lines have been developed which mimic in vivo latency at a cellular level. This review compares these models of chronic infection, emphasizing the advantages and limitations of this approach to the understanding of AIDS progression. In addition, it accentuates the utility of these models of chronic infection in the development and testing of novel drugs aimed at altering the efferent component of the HIV--1 life cycle. It is this component of the viral life cycle that has remained largely unexplored and open to novel therapeutic strategies for the prevention of lethal immunosuppression.

Macaque CD4+ T-cell subsets: influence of activation on infection by simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIV)

Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infects a small number of CD4+ T cells including "memory" T cells. The following describes the cell surface markers which may delineate subsets of CD4+ memory T cells and reviews how memory CD4+ T cells are activated and regulated through the T-cell receptor and such accessory receptors as CD28. The factors which may influence initial expression and infection of T cells by CD4 are discussed. Unlike activated and infected T cells, unstimulated CD4+ T cells have little or no SIV DNA detectable in the genomic fraction, but key activation signals may promote integration of viral DNA in memory T cells. Bacterial superantigens (SuperAg) can promote increased levels of SIV viral DNA in mature and immature T cells. Immunodeficiency virus products such as gp120, Nef, and Tat can affect CD4+ T-cell function. Whereas Nef can reduce expression of CD4, Tat reduces the expression of CD28. We hypothesize that the lack of expression of key accessory molecules on CD4 lineage T cells infected with immunodeficiency viruses may make infected T cells more susceptible to recall-antigen-induced programmed cell death.

HIV-1 replication and potential targets for intervention

Intense research into fundamental processes of human immunodeficiency syndrome type 1 (HIV-1) replication has yielded knowledge that in many aspects equals or exceeds that of the oncogenic retroviruses. The availability of sensitive virus detection methods has allowed a more thorough characterization of the biology of virus persistence and latency in vivo and removed the dependence on in vitro models. As a clearer picture of the pattern of HIV-1 replication in vivo evolves, it becomes apparent that HIV-1 biology is distinct from that of the prototypic oncogenic retroviruses in several key aspects, particularly with regard to host cell range and determinants of viral permissiveness. In this respect it may be appropriate to examine the lentivirus, rather than the oncovirus model system to better understand the biology and pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection. This synopsis of recent and ongoing research developments in HIV-1 replication and pathogenesis emphasizes the determinants of host cell permissiveness, early events in virus replication, and underlying features in HIV-1 cytopathogenesis. In addition, basic viral replication processes which can be exploited for therapeutic intervention are discussed.