Figure 1

TLR2 and 4 triggering modulates HIV-1 transfer between IM-MDDCs and CD4⁺ T cells. A) IM-MDDCs were either left untreated (mock) or stimulated for 2 hours with the following TLR agonists: Pam3Csk4 (5 μg/ml), LPS (0.1 μg/ml), flagellin (5 μg/ml), R837 (5 μg/ml) and unmethylated DNA (5 μg/ml). Cells were then pulsed with NL4-3/Balenv and co-cultured with autologous CD4⁺ T cells. Finally cell-free supernatants were harvested at 2, 3 and 6 days post-coculture (dpcc) and the viral content was assessed by a p24 assay. Data depicted in the left panel represent the mean ± standard deviations of quadruplicate samples from a representative single donor at 2 dpcc, whereas the kinetics of virus production for the same donor are displayed in the small insert. Results from multiple different donors are illustrated in the right panel (2 dpcc) (**: P < 0.01; ***: P < 0.001). B) IM-MDDCs were initially either left untreated or treated with EFV. Thereafter, cells were either left untreated or treated with Pam3Csk4. Data shown represent the mean ± standard deviations of quadruplicate samples from a single donor at 2 dpcc and are representative of 8 distinct donors. C) A similar experimental approach was used except that transfer studies were carried out with the X4-tropic strain NL4-3. Data shown represent the mean ± standard deviations of quadruplicate samples from a single donor at 2 dpcc and are representative of 3 different donors.