Monocytes were isolated and incubated with GM-CSF and IL-4 to induce dendritic cell differentiation. Pseudotyped viruses and virus-like particles were produced by transient transfection of 293FT cells using TransIT-293 (Mirus). Infections were performed by incubating 105 MDDCs in 96 well U bottom plates in the presence of 8 µg/ml polybrene. Cell surface staining of activation markers was performed 48h after infection. shRNA vectors carrying GFP were transduced into fresh monocytes together with SIVVLP(G) and dendritic cell differentiation was induced. More than 90% of cells were routinely transduced and cells were challenged at day 4 with HDVIRESRFP(G) or other control PAMPs.