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. 2022 Sep 14;14(9):2037. doi: 10.3390/v14092037

Figure 1.

Figure 1

HIV-1 interaction with mDC. (a) HIV-1 binds the CD4 receptor and corresponding coreceptor (CCR5/CXCR4) on the DC cell surface, inducing internalization of the virus, viral replication, and cis-infection where the DC itself becomes infected with HIV. (b) HIV-1 binds the DC-SIGN receptor on the DC cell surface leading to viral breakdown and trans-infection where the DC merely processes HIV-1 and presents particles to other immune cells. (c) Both cis- and trans-infection lead to increased HIV-1 gp120 protein expression on MHC class II surface receptors. The DC MHC II receptor presenting gp120 binds to TCR and CD4 receptors on the T cell surface. (d) Increased gp120 expression induces virological synapse formation that resembles the cSMAC structure that is seen in immunologic synapses. (e) The cSMAC-like structure is composed of a DC that is surrounded by a ring of CD4+ T cells. The cells are connected via ICAM-1/LFA-1 interactions where ICAM-1 is expressed on the DC and LFA-1 is expressed on the T cell.