In vitro infection of epidermal Langerhans cells with human immunodeficiency virus type 1

Infection of Langerhans cells (LC) by HIV is relevant for several reason. LC of mucosal epithelia may be among the first cells to be infected following mucosal HIV-1 exposure. Secondly, LC may serve as a reservoir for continued infection of CD4+T cells, especially in lymph nodes where epidermal LC migrate following antigenic activation. In this study we have shown that LC can be efficiently infected in vitro with HIV and can transmit the infection to other susceptible target cells.