HIV-1 infection of a CD4-negative primary cell type: The oligodendrocyte

Abstract

HIV-1 infection of CD4-negative cells has been described both in vitro and in vivo. Two closely related glycolipids, galactosylceramide (GalCer) and 3′-sulfo-galactosylceramide (GalS), have been proposed as potential alternative cellular receptors for HIV-1. Human adult cultured oligodendrocytes are CD4-negative/GalCer-positive cells that are infected by HIV-1 in vitro, resulting in the presence of stable HIV-1 DNA sequences and the production of virus [Albright et al., Virology, (1996) in press]. The in vivo relevance and the effects of HIV infection on oligodendrocyte biology need to be studied further.