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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2018 Feb 22.
Published in final edited form as: Virology. 2017 Dec 22;515:92–107. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2017.12.012

Fig. 8.

Fig. 8

Model of HIV sequestration in mucosal epithelial cells. HIV-1 binding to HSPG and GalCer on the epithelial surface may initiate endocytosis of virions via clathrin- and caveolin/lipid raft – associated endocytosis, respectively. HIV interaction with TIM-1 may induce macropinocytosis of virions. HIV endocytosis and macropinocytosis deliver virions into the early endosomal compartment. Some virus containing vesicles and macropinosomes may not fuse with early endosomes and exist as independent vacuoles, establishing sequestration of virions. Maturation of early endosomes containing virions into MVBs leads to sequestration of virions in these endosomes. Fusion of MVBs and vacuoles containing HIV with lysosomes may lead to degradation of virus. However, lack of fusion of MVBs and vacuoles with lysosomes may generate intraepithelial viral reservoirs. HIV sequestration in MVBs and vacuoles of mucosal epithelial cells may play an important role in HIV transmission and development of HIV/AIDS.