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Mario Stevenson, Ph.D.Academic Role: Professor
Faculty Appointment(s) In:
Other Affiliation(s):
IS PRIMATE LENTIVIRUS DISSEMINATION The diagram proposes a model in which an antigen-presenting cell such as a macrophage
upon HIV-1 infection, undergoes a physiological change which promotes recruitment of T
cells to the site of infection. Studies in the laboratory suggest that b-chemokines, MIP-1a and MIP-1b are induced upon HIV-1 infection. Our studies implicate a specific
viral gene product in promoting chemokine release, a consequence of this chemokine
production is the formation of macrophage T cell conjugates through which dissemination
of virions from the infected macrophage to uninfected T cells occurs. This method of
cell-to-cell transfer is expected to be an extremely efficient mechanism for viral
dissemination and may protect virions from immune clearance mechanisms of the host.
In addition, the infected macrophage may allow long-term viral persistence in the face
of highly active antiretroviral therapy. This model, if correct, has considerable
implications for the understanding and treatment of HIV infection of humans.
Phone: 508 856 4581
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373 Plantation Street Worcester, MA 01605