Application of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and microbead techniques to study the localization of p24 and p18 antigens of HIV-1 on the surface of HIV-1-infected H9-lymphocytes.
Immunofluorescence staining techniques at present, when applied to follow the expression of HIV-1-specific antigens on infected cells, only give the information that the antigens detected are localized in the outer region of the membrane of the infected cell. We therefore set up a procedure using magnetic polystyrol particles coated with antibodies specific for the HIV-1 antigens under study, in combination with scanning electron microscopy. We were able to demonstrate that p24 and p18 structural antigens are clearly expressed on the surface of HIV-1-infected H9 lymphocytes. This means that there was no steric hindrance for structures of cell-like size specific for HIV-1 antigens to interact with their target antigens. Other antigens may be hidden in membrane structures and are therefore inaccessible, for example, to the beads used here, which were of a similar size to antigen-specific cells in vivo. The results of this model system must be seen with respect to the interaction of antigen-specific cell-mediated immunity with full antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, or without cytotoxic T lymphocytes, the mediator function of antibodies.
Dennin
R H
RH
Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie, Medizinische Universität zu Lübeck, Germany.
Beyer
A
A
D000818:Animals; D000920:Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity; D002460:Cell Line; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D015683:Gene Products, gag / Q000032:analysis*; D015488:HIV Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24 / Q000032:analysis*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008863:Microspheres; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D054301:gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
D015683:Gene Products, gag; D015488:HIV Antigens; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24; D054301:gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; C061169:p18 gag protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 1