Determination of hepatitis C virus-infected, monocyte lineage reservoirs in individuals with or without HIV coinfection

J Infect Dis. 2009 Sep 15;200(6):947-54. doi: 10.1086/605476.

Abstract

Because previous reports found an association between hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection and progression of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease, we investigated whether HIV and HCV may reciprocally influence viral replication in monocyte lineage cells in vivo. Using a novel technique called simultaneous ultrasensitive subpopulation staining/hybridization in situ (SUSHI), we rapidly and unequivocally identified HCV reservoirs in peripheral blood from HCV-infected individuals with and without HIV coinfection. We found that HCV infects both CD14(+), CD16(+)(+) monocytic cells and CD14(+)(+), CD16(+)(+) monocytic cells but not CD14(+)(+), CD16- cells in individuals infected with HCV with or without HIV coinfection. To address these HCV tropism differences, we found that the HCV receptor CD81 is highly expressed on CD14(+), CD16(+)(+) and CD14(+)(+), CD16(+)(+) cells but not on monocytes (CD14(+)(+), CD16-). These findings have important implications for the diagnosis and treatment of HCV infection, mother-to-child transmission of HCV, and possible virus-virus interactions in HCV-HIV coinfected individuals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD / genetics
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • HIV-1 / physiology
  • Hepacivirus / physiology
  • Hepatitis C / complications*
  • Hepatitis C / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunophenotyping
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Monocytes / virology*
  • Tetraspanin 28
  • Viral Load
  • Virus Replication

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • CD81 protein, human
  • Tetraspanin 28