title: HIV-1 indicator cell lines.
abstract: A simple quantitative bioassay for infectious HIV-1 has been developed. The assay is based on adherent CD4+ HeLa cell lines stably transfected with episomal vectors carrying the Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase gene under the control of the HIV long terminal repeat (LTR) promoter. HIV infection of these cell lines transactivates the LTR promoter inducing beta-galactosidase production. Infected cells and virus foci can be stained dark blue by the addition of the chromogenic substrate X-Gal. Alternatively, a readily automatable quantitative enzyme assay can be performed on the infected cultures. Because of its simplicity the bioassay may be useful for routine quantification of HIV-infected cultures, plaque purification, virus neutralization studies and for the screening of antiviral agents.
authors.affiliation: PHLS Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akrigg
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Wilkinson
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Angliss
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Greenaway
mesh_terms: D001681:Biological Assay / Q000379:methods*; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D005697:Galactosides; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles; D010957:Plasmids; D014162:Transfection; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D015704:CD4 Antigens; D005697:Galactosides; D007211:Indoles; D001616:beta-Galactosidase; C044888:5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl beta-galactoside