Sunday, October 19, 2025

Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 Uses the Mannose-6-Phosphate Receptor to Cross the Blood-Brain Barrier

Authors: Shinya Dohgu, Jan S. Ryerse, Sandra M. Robinson, William A. Banks

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0039565

Abstract Summary

HIV-1 uses the mannose-6 phosphate receptor (M6PR) to cross the blood-brain barrier as free virus, researchers discovered. Brain perfusion and ultrastructural studies confirmed HIV-1 crosses via transcytosis in all brain regions. Transport was blocked by mannose compounds and required calcium, suggesting therapeutic targets.

Why Brain? 🧠

HIV-1 uses the mannose-6-phosphate receptor to cross the blood-brain barrier as free virus, providing new insights into how the virus enters the brain and potentially offering targets for prevention.

The image is AI-generated for illustrative purposes only. Courtesy of Midjourney.

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