HIV-1 infection of human brain-derived microvascular endothelial cells in vitro. NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1995. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Click here to return to AIDSLINE main menu
DonateNow
Print this Article


HIV-1 infection of human brain-derived microvascular endothelial cells in vitro.

J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Hum Retrovirol. 1995 Apr 15;8(5):437-45. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/95211535
Poland SD; Rice GP; Dekaban GA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Western; Ontario, Canada.

Abstract: We examined the ability of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 (HIV-1) to infect in vitro, primary brain-derived human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC) that constitute the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Immunofluorescence (IFA) and antigen capture assays failed to demonstrate p24 antigen from HIV inoculated endothelial cells and supernatants did not contain detectable levels of reverse transcriptase (RT). HIV could be rescued by cocultivation of infected HMEC with a susceptible T-lymphocyte line (CEM-SS), which were then shown to form syncytia and produce RT activity and p24 Ag (IFA, antigen captive assay). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was successfully used to amplify HIV-specific gag and env gene sequences from HMEC. CD4 expression was not identified on these cells by IFA. These results suggest that HIV infection of BBB endothelium occurs, but that viral replication is minimal. Infection of the BBB by HIV may give the virus a foothold in the CNS and suggests that the brain might be infected directly and may not be limited to just the passage of infected mononuclear cells.
Keywords: *Blood-Brain Barrier Brain/*BLOOD SUPPLY Cell Line DNA, Viral/ANALYSIS Endothelium, Vascular/CYTOLOGY/*MICROBIOLOGY Fluorescent Antibody Technique Human HIV Core Protein p24/ANALYSIS HIV-1/*PHYSIOLOGY Immunoblotting Polymerase Chain Reaction Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Virus Replication JOURNAL ARTICLEKWDblood-brainbarrierbrain/KWDbloodsupplycelllinedna,viral/analysisendothelium,vascular/cytology/KWDmicrobiologyfluorescentantibodytechniquehumanhivcoreproteinp24/analysishiv-1/KWDphysiologyimmunoblottingpolymerasechainreactionsupport,non-uKWDsKWDgov'tvirusreplicationjournalarticle
950730
M9570914

Copyright © 1995 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Gill Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Quest Diagnostics, Roche and Trimeris, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1995. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1995. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .