Pham VT, Wen L, McCluskey P, Madigan MC, Penfold PL. Human retinal microglia express candidate receptors for HIV-1 infection.
Br J Ophthalmol 2005;
89:753-7. [PMID:
15923514 PMCID:
PMC1772690 DOI:
10.1136/bjo.2004.057828]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS
Microglia are the primary antigen presenting cells in the central nervous system and the retina, and can harbour viral antigens that may damage neural tissue via the release of neurotoxins. All cells bearing CD4 molecules and co-receptors (members of the chemokine receptor and Fcgamma receptor families) are potential targets for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In this study, retinal microglia (in vitro and in situ) were investigated for the expression of candidate HIV-1 binding receptors.
METHODS
Cultured human retinal microglia and frozen sections of human retinas were used. Immunohistochemistry was used to investigate expression of cell surface receptors necessary for HIV-1 infection: CD4, CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5), and Fcgamma receptors.
RESULTS
Human retinal microglia expressed detectable levels of CD4, CD16, CD64, and CCR5 in vitro and Fcgamma receptor I (CD64) in situ.
CONCLUSIONS
Human retinal microglia express several candidate receptors required for viral binding and as such may be a potential reservoir for HIV-1 infection.
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