HIV-p24-antigen-bearing macrophages are only present in brains of HIV-seropositive patients with AIDS-encephalopathy.
The central nervous system of HIV-seropositive patients with and without AIDS-encephalopathy was investigated by immunocytochemistry using the monoclonal antibody to the HIV-1 p24 core protein. Numerous p24-immunopositive mono- and multinucleated macrophages could only be detected in patients with typical histological pictures of an AIDS-encephalopathy. These findings allow the supposition that AIDS-dementia is a result of a relatively late infiltration of HIV-infected macrophages from the bloodstream into the brain and is not due to an impairment of neuronal and/or glial cells infected by HIV during the early stage of the disease.
Schindelmeiser
J
J
Institute of Anatomy, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Germany.
Gullotta
F
F
D015526:AIDS Dementia Complex / Q000473:pathology*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D002196:Capillaries / Q000473:pathology; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015683:Gene Products, gag / Q000032:analysis*; D015488:HIV Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000473:pathology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007181:Inclusion Bodies, Viral / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007968:Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / Q000473:pathology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000473:pathology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000473:pathology; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000473:pathology; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000032:analysis*
D015683:Gene Products, gag; D015488:HIV Antigens; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24; D014758:Viral Core Proteins