CD4 T cells are either productively infected or nonpermissive for HIV-1 replication.
(A) In permissive CD4 T cells, HIV-1 recognition by cytosolic DNA sensor is blocked by TREX1 degradation of RT intermediate DNA products.
(B) In CD4 T cells that are abortively infected, HIV-1 triggers death by possibly inducing apoptosis and inflammasome activation (pyroptosis). These pathways of cell death are mediated by a cytosolic DNA sensor that is stimulated by accumulation of defective RT products.