HIV AND T-CELL EXPANSION IN SPLENIC WHITE PULPS IS ACCOMPANIED BY INFILTRATION OF HIV-SPECIFIC CYTOTOXIC T-LYMPHOCYTES

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication and T cell proliferation were investigated in situ by a PCR-based analysis of individual microdissected splenic white pulps. Founder effects, revealed by an exquisite compartmentalization of HIV genotypes and T cells, indicated the recruitment of latently infected CD4(+) T cells through highly localized antigen presentation rather than the infection of CD4(+) T lymphoblasts by blood-borne virus or immune complexes. HIV-infected white pulps could be Infiltrated by HIV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes, thereby implicating them in CD4(+) T cell destruction in vivo. Together these data describe an iterative and deleterious mechanism of antigen-driven T cell recruitment and activation, as well as HIV replication and spread, with consequent destruction of the newly infected cells.