title: Recovery of antigenically reactive HIV-2 cores.
abstract: Negative staining studies of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have been hampered by the fragile nature of the particles. Although detergent treatment is capable of releasing cores from HIV-2 particles, these are unstable and do not retain morphological integrity. Addition of glutaraldehyde will stabilise these structures but, if used at too high a concentration, will destroy their antigenicity. This study shows that if both detergent and glutaraldehyde are used in correct proportions, antigenically reactive cores can be recovered from HIV-2 cell cultures. More specifically we show that a mixture of 0.1% Nonidet P40 and 0.1% glutaraldehyde produces preparations of HIV-2 cores that are suitable for immune electron microscopy. These cores reacted positively, that is, formed immune complexes, with both human HIV-2 antisera and a mouse monoclonal antibody that, although directed against p24 (HIV-1), reacts also with p25 (HIV-2).
authors: Department of Virology, United Medical and Dental School of Guys', Hospital London, England.
authors: I L
authors: IL
authors: Chrystie
authors: J D
authors: JD
authors: Almeida
mesh_terms: D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000090266:Chromobox Protein Homolog 5; D003902:Detergents; D005976:Glutaral; D015498:HIV-2 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron / Q000379:methods; D017830:Octoxynol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral; C000715594:CBX5 protein, human; D003902:Detergents; D014758:Viral Core Proteins; D000090266:Chromobox Protein Homolog 5; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D017830:Octoxynol; C010615:Nonidet P-40; D005976:Glutaral