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A recent report demonstrated that free human T-cell leukemia virus 1 (HTLV-1) could infect plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs). The major role of pDCs is to secrete massive levels of interferon-α (IFN-α) upon virus exposure; however, the induction of IFN-α by HTLV-1 remains unknown. We demonstrate here that cell-free HTLV-1 generated a pDC innate immune response by producing massive levels of IFN-α that were inhibited by anti–HTLV-1 antibodies. HTLV-1 induced costimulatory molecules and rapid expression of the apoptotic ligand tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). Furthermore, HTLV-1 stimulated pDC-induced apoptosis of CD4+ T cells expressing DR5, transforming pDCs into IFN-producing killer pDCs. We also observed that an endosomal acidification inhibitor and a Toll-like receptor-7 (TLR7)–specific blocker drastically inhibited pDC response to HTLV-1. Three-dimensional microscopy analysis revealed that unstimulated pDCs were “dormant” IFN-producing killer pDCs with high levels of intracellular TRAIL that could be rapidly mobilized to the surface in response to TLR7 activation. Inhibition of viral degradation in endosomes by chloroquine maintained viral integrity, allowing virus detection by 3-dimensional microscopy. We demonstrate that pDCs respond to cell-free HTLV-1 by producing high levels of IFN-α and by mobilizing TRAIL on cell surface after TLR7 triggering. This is the first demonstration of an innate immune response induced by free HTLV-1.

International audience; The association of CD4, a glycoprotein involved in T-cell development and antigen recognition, and CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5), a chemotactic G protein-coupled receptor, which regulates trafficking and effector functions of immune cells, forms the main receptor for HIV. We observed that the majority of CCR5 is maintained within the intracellular compartments of primary T lymphocytes and in a monocytic cell line, contrasting with its relatively low density at the cell surface. The CCR5-CD4 association, which occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum, enhanced CCR5 export to the plasma membrane in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas inhibition of endogenous CD4 with small interfering RNAs decreased cell-surface expression of endogenous CCR5. This effect was specific for CCR5, as CD4 did not affect cellular distribution of CXCR4, the other HIV coreceptor. These results reveal a previously unappreciated role of CD4, which contributes to regulating CCR5 export to the plasma membrane.

Aquaporin-1 (AQP-1), the universal water channel, is responsible for rapid response of cell volume to changes in plasma tonicity. In the membrane of the red cell the concentration of the protein is tightly controlled. Here, we show that AQP-1 is partially lost during in vitro maturation of mouse reticulocytes and that it is associated with exosomes, released throughout this process. AQP-1 in young reticulocytes localizes to the plasma membrane and also in endosomal compartments and exosomes, formed both in vitro and in vivo. During maturation a part of the total pool of AQP-1 is differentially sorted and released via the exosomal pathway. A proteasome inhibitor, MG132, suppresses secretion of AQP-1, implying that ubiquitination is a sorting signal for its release. We further show that modulation of medium tonicity in vitro regulates the secretion of AQP-1, thus showing that extracellular osmotic conditions can drive sorting of selected proteins by the exosomal pathway. These results lead us to suggest that AQP-1 sorting into exosomes may be the mechanism by which the reticulocyte adapts to environmental changes during its maturation.