Chloroquine mediated molecular tuning of astrocytes for enhanced permissiveness to HIV infection

We report in this study that minimum productive HIV infection in astrocytes (a predominant cell type in brain and persists for the entire life) occurs through endocytosis. The lysosomotropic agent chloroquine enhanced permissiveness of astrocyres to HIV infection possibly by circumventing degradation of endosome-entrapped viral particles. In particular, chloroquine may promote establishment of a stable long term viral reservoir in astrocyres and may eventually facilitate early onset of neurological complications. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.