Figure 1

HIV-1 neuroinvasion. 1) According to the "Trojan Horse hypothesis" entry of HIV-1 into the brain takes place by the migration of infected monocytes which differentiate into perivascular macrophage. 2) The passage of infected CD4⁺ T cells can be another source of infection in the brain. Other probable causes of CNS infection might be: 3) the direct entrance of the virus or 4) entrance of HIV-1 by transcytosis of brain microvascular endothelial cells. Once the virus is in the brain it infects productively macrophages and microglia. Astrocyte infection is known to be restricted. The infection of oligodendrocytes and specially neurons is questionable.