Modulation of HIV-1 replication in primary dendritic cells in contact with autologous CD4 T-lymphocytes.

Background Immature dendritic cells (DCs), which reside in genital mucosal surfaces, are among the first cells that encounter HIV-1. These cells poorly replicate R5-tropic HIV-1, but have been shown to efficiently transfer the virus to autologous CD4 T-lymphocytes. We have shown that HIV-1 replication was enhanced in primary HIV1-loaded DCs when they are in close contact with autologous CD4 T-lymphocytes. Recently, SAMHD1 has been proposed to restrict HIV-1 replication in myeloid cells by decreasing deoxynucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) pools. We aimed to decipher whether SAMHD1 was involved in the increased HIV-1 replication observed in DCs coculture with CD4 T-lymphocytes.