Dangerous liaisons at the virological synapse
J. Clin. Invest. Vincent Piguet, et al. 114:605 doi:10.1172/JCI22812 [Go to this article.]

Figure 2
During DC–T cell viral transmission, rapid viral recycling to the DC–T cell zone of contact is observed. (A and B) HIV-1 is captured by C-type lectins (e.g., DC-SIGN) or other receptors and is internalized inside the DC. HIV-1 accumulates in intracellular compartments in DCs. (C and D) Upon encountering a CD4⁺ T cell, HIV-1 is rapidly redistributed from intracellular compartments to the zone of contact (the VS) between the DC and the CD4⁺ T cell. This leads to infection of the CD4⁺ T cell in trans and massive viral replication in DC–T cell clusters. Blue: DC nuclei; green: cytoplasm; orange: HIV-1 virions.