Bone marrow monocyte/macrophages are an early cellular target of pathogenic and nonpathogenic isolates of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVmac) in rhesus macaques.

Abstract

We conclude that bone marrow monocyte/macrophages are an important early cellular target in SIV infection regardless of viral pathogenicity and in vitro cellular tropism. SIV-infected bone marrow monocyte/macrophages may play a key role in the pathogenesis of bone marrow lesions and further dissemination and persistence of virus infection.