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Abstract
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.
- AIDS, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
- BBB, blood-brain barrier
- BRB, blood-retinal barrier
- CCR5, CC chemokine receptor 5
- CMV, cytomegalovirus
- HIV, human immunodeficiency virus
- IL, interleukin
- INL, inner nuclear layer
- IPL, inner plexiform layer
- PBS, phosphate buffered saline
- RPE, retinal pigmented epithelium
- TNF-α, tumour necrosis factor alpha
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- AIDS, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
- BBB, blood-brain barrier
- BRB, blood-retinal barrier
- CCR5, CC chemokine receptor 5
- CMV, cytomegalovirus
- HIV, human immunodeficiency virus
- IL, interleukin
- INL, inner nuclear layer
- IPL, inner plexiform layer
- PBS, phosphate buffered saline
- RPE, retinal pigmented epithelium
- TNF-α, tumour necrosis factor alpha
Footnotes
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Competing interests: None of the authors have any financial or commercial conflict of interest.