134 Macrophage migration inhibitory factor restriction of HIV-1 trans-infection from dendritic cells to CD4+ T-cells via regulation of autophagy

At mucosal surfaces, immature resident Dendritic Cells, Langerhans Cells and their subsets are the first cell types to encounter HIV-1 virus. During early stages of infection, dendritic cells sense virus through innate immune mechanisms inducing maturation activating adaptive responses. subverts system by hijacking cells, impairing cellular function promote survival propagation trans-infection target CD4 T-cells across virological synapse. In a well-established model cell-to-cell transfer from monocyte-derived DCs T-cells, we have evaluated molecular contribution cytokines cytokine receptors during T using high-throughput siRNA library. Here show that when macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is disrupted, dynamics greatly affected, making it restrictive cytokine. We report critical link between MIF expression in autophagy. formation LC3+ autophagosomes MIF-dependent process, required for clearance intracellular selective degradation. Thus, regulation induction autophagy thereby reducing transmission DC CD4+ one its earliest steps entry host.