Human retinal microglia express candidate receptors for HIV-1 infection

• Published in: British journal of ophthalmology Vol. 89; no. 6; pp. 753 - 757
• Main Authors: Pham, V T, Wen, L, McCluskey, P, Madigan, M C, Penfold, P L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMA House, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9JR BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01-06-2005; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; Copyright 2005 British Journal of Ophthalmology
• Subjects: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome; acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; AIDS; Antigen-Presenting Cells - metabolism; Antigen-Presenting Cells - virology; BBB; Biological and medical sciences; blood-brain barrier; blood-retinal barrier; BRB; CC chemokine receptor 5; CCR5; CD4 Antigens - metabolism; Cells, Cultured; Chemokines; Child; CMV; Cytokines; Cytomegalovirus; Female; HIV; HIV Infections - metabolism; HIV-1; Human immunodeficiency virus; Human viral diseases; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Immunoglobulins; Infections; Infectious diseases; INL; inner nuclear layer; inner plexiform layer; interleukin; IPL; Laboratory Science - Extended Reports; Male; Medical sciences; Microglia - immunology; Microglia - virology; Middle Aged; Pathogenesis; PBS; phosphate buffered saline; Receptors, CCR5 - metabolism; Receptors, HIV - metabolism; Receptors, IgG - metabolism; Retina; Retina - metabolism; Retina - virology; retinal pigmented epithelium; RPE; Studies; TNF-α; Tumor necrosis factor-TNF; tumour necrosis factor alpha; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the lymphoid tissue and the blood. Aids; Viral infections; Human; Immunopathology; HIV-1 virus; Retroviridae; Retina; AIDS; Immune deficiency; Lentivirus; Microglia; Infection; Virus; Viral disease; Human immunodeficiency virus; Ophthalmology; Retinal
• ISSN: 0007-1161; 1468-2079
• DOI: 10.1136/bjo.2004.057828

Background/aims: Microglia are the primary antigen presenting cells in the central nervous system and the retina, and can harbour viral antigens that may damage neural tissue via the release of neurotoxins. All cells bearing CD4 molecules and co-receptors (members of the chemokine receptor and Fcγ receptor families) are potential targets for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In this study, retinal microglia (in vitro and in situ) were investigated for the expression of candidate HIV-1 binding receptors. Methods: Cultured human retinal microglia and frozen sections of human retinas were used. Immunohistochemistry was used to investigate expression of cell surface receptors necessary for HIV-1 infection: CD4, CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5), and Fcγ receptors. Results: Human retinal microglia expressed detectable levels of CD4, CD16, CD64, and CCR5 in vitro and Fcγ receptor I (CD64) in situ. Conclusions: Human retinal microglia express several candidate receptors required for viral binding and as such may be a potential reservoir for HIV-1 infection.