HIV Infection and Spread between Th(17) Cells

HIV mainly targets CD4(+) T cells, from which Th(17) cells represent a major cell type, permissive, and are capable of supporting intracellular replication at mucosal sites. Th(17) cells possess well-described dual roles, while being central to maintaining gut integrity, these may induce inflammation and contribute to autoimmune disorders; however, Th(17) cells’ antiviral function in HIV infection is not completely understood. Th(17) cells are star players to HIV-1 pathogenesis and a potential target to prevent or decrease HIV transmission. HIV-1 can be spread among permissive cells via direct cell-to-cell and/or cell-free infection. The debate on which mode of transmission is more efficient is still ongoing without a concrete conclusion yet. Most assessments of virus transmission analyzing either cell-to-cell or cell-free modes use in vitro systems; however, the actual interactions and conditions in vivo are not fully understood. The fact that infected breast milk, semen, and vaginal secretions contain a mix of both cell-free viral particles and infected cells presents an argument for the probability of HIV taking advantage of both modes of transmission to spread. Here, we review important insights and recent findings about the role of Th(17) cells during HIV pathogenesis in mucosal surfaces, and the mechanisms of HIV-1 infection spread among T cells in tissues.