After invasion of a susceptible target cell, HIV-1 completes the early phase of its life cycle upon integration of reverse-transcribed viral DNA into host chromatin. The viral capsid, a conical shell encasing the viral ribonucleoprotein complex, along with its constitutive capsid protein, plays essential roles at virtually every step in the early phase of the viral life cycle. Recent work has begun to reveal how the viral capsid interacts with specific cellular proteins to promote these processes. At the same time, cellular restriction factors target the viral capsid to thwart infection. Comprehensive understanding of capsid–host interactions that promote or impede HIV-1 infection may provide unique insight to exploit for novel therapeutic interventions.

入侵易感靶细胞后，HIV-1将逆转录病毒DNA整合到宿主染色质中，从而完成了其生命周期的早期阶段。病毒衣壳，一个包裹病毒核糖核蛋白复合物的圆锥形壳，以及其组成性衣壳蛋白，在病毒生命周期的早期几乎每个步骤中都起着至关重要的作用。最近的工作已开始揭示病毒衣壳如何与特定的细胞蛋白相互作用以促进这些过程。同时，细胞限制因子将病毒衣壳靶向以阻止感染。对促进或阻止HIV-1感染的衣壳-宿主相互作用的全面理解可能会为开发新型治疗手段提供独特的见解。