Monocytes across life span in HIV infection: lights and shadows.

Purpose of review: This review highlights the role of monocytes in the pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection, focusing on their involvement in the inflammatory response and their function as viral targets and long-term reservoirs.

Recent findings: Monocytes have been categorized into three subsets: classical, intermediate, and nonclassical, each with distinct functional characteristics. Advances in genetic sequencing technologies have enabled a more in-depth exploration of the phenotypic and functional variations among these subsets, particularly in the context of HIV. These findings underscore their role as crucial components of the immune response and as reservoirs for the virus.

Summary: Previous studies on the role of monocytes have demonstrated their contribution to persistent infection and chronic immune activation, especially in adults living with HIV. The lessons learned from these studies should now be harnessed to design studies focused on newborns and children with vertically acquired HIV.