Live-cell real-time imaging reveals role of mitochondria in cell-to-cell transmission of HIV-1.

Abstract

We used live-cell, real-time fluorescence imaging of co-cultures of HIV-1 infected T cells and uninfected target cells to examine the action of mitochondria during cell-to-cell transmission of the virus. We find that mitochondria of HIV infected cells enter uninfected target cells and advance viral spread. We show that human mitochondria serve as viral reservoirs and carriers and that they can move between cells. This was confirmed by our results that purified mitochondria from HIV infected cells are infectious, and that mitochondrial inhibitors block HIV transmission. Viral infection and replication in the target cells were verified by syncytial formation and HIV-1 core protein p24 production. Our results offer new insights into the cellular mechanisms of viral transmission and identify mitochondria as new host targets for viral infection.

• Authors: Sylvia Lee-Huang, Philip Lin Huang, Paul Lee Huang
• Journal: Biochemical and biophysical research communications (Biochem Biophys Res Commun) Vol. 415 Issue 2 Pg. 384-9 (Nov 18 2011) ISSN: 1090-2104 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22037455 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Fluorescent Dyes
• Organic Chemicals
• red dye CMXRos

Topics

• Coculture Techniques
• Fluorescent Dyes (chemistry)
• HIV Infections (transmission)
• HIV-1 (physiology)
• Humans
• Microscopy, Fluorescence (methods)
• Mitochondria (virology)
• Organic Chemicals (chemistry)
• T-Lymphocytes (virology)
• Virus Internalization