Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) has been reported to inhibit the maturation of DC, but a clear link between maturation and function has not been elucidated. To understand further the effects of HIV-1 on DC maturation and function, we expanded upon previous investigations and assessed the effects of HIV-1 infection on the expression of surface molecules, carbohydrate endocytosis, antigen presentation and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) responsiveness over the course of

maturation. In vitro infection with HIV-1 resulted in an increase in the expression of DC-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-3-grabbing non-integrin (DC-SIGN) as well as decreases in maturation-induced CCR7 and major histocompatibility complex https://www.selleckchem.com/products/BKM-120.html (MHC)-II expression. Retention of endocytosis that normally occurs with DC maturation as well as inhibition of antigen presentation to CD8+ T cells was also observed. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) responsiveness to LPS as measured by phosphorylation of p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 was not affected by HIV-1 infection. In summary, in-vitro HIV-1 impairs Epacadostat solubility dmso DC maturation, as defined by cell surface protein

expression, with selective alterations in mature DC function. Understanding the mechanisms of DC dysfunction in HIV infection will provide further insight into HIV immune pathogenesis. Dendritic cells (DC) are critical mediators of the interaction between the adaptive and innate immune systems and are responsible for the presentation of antigens and co-stimulatory molecules to naive T cells in the secondary lymph organs [1]. When not presenting antigens in the secondary lymph organs, DC are located throughout the body in tissues in an immature form, where they constantly ‘sample’ their environment

for pathogens through pattern recognition receptors [2]. During normal maturation, DC change from antigen capture about cells to antigen-presenting cells [3]. Maturation is characterized by a decrease in phagocytic and pinocytic activities [3] and decreases in the expression of cell surface molecules associated with those functions, including mannose receptors, CD14 and C-type lectin receptors such as DC-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-3-grabbing non-integrin (DC-SIGN) [4–6]. These changes are accompanied by concomitant increases in the expression of surface molecules that facilitate antigen presentation and adaptive immune system activation such as CD80, CD86, CD40, major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-I and MHC-II [7–11]. Additionally, expression of the immunoregulatory surface molecule CD83 increases when DC mature and this is accompanied by decreases in the expression of the chemokine receptor CCR5 and increases in CCR7 expression [12–14].