title: A human T-cell line resistant to cytopathic effects of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
abstract: Infection of human helper T lymphocytes with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) results in a rapid induction of cytopathic effects and cell lysis. We isolated a variant of the human T-lymphoblastoid cell line, CEM, that is fully susceptible to HIV infection but resistant to virally induced cytopathic effects. Exposure of the cells, designated CR-10, to HIV resulted in the expression of viral antigens in 100% of cells within 6-9 days. Virus-infected cells remained fully viable and could be cultivated under standard culture conditions for a desired period of time. Parental CEM cells died within 9-12 days after HIV infection. Proviral DNA could be detected in the HIV-infected CR-10 cells by Southern blot and molecular hybridization 4-5 days after infection; the relative amount of proviral DNA reached maximum at Days 6-10 and remained stable during an 8-month follow-up period. Virus production by HIV-infected CR-10 cells was documented by electron microscopy and detection of reverse transcriptase activity in cell culture supernatants. HIV-infected CR-10 cells exhibited a down modulation of the OKT-3, OKT-4, OKT-4A, OKT-8, and OKT-11 T-cell surface markers, but not of the OKT-9 (transferrin receptor). One of the HIV persistently infected CR-10 cell clones has been kept in continuous culture for over 8 months. During this period, the cells remained fully viable, 100% positive for HIV antigens, and negative for most of the T-cell surface markers tested and continued to produce biologically active HIV. The CR-10 and HIV-infected CR-10 cell lines will be useful in studies on the biology of HIV and in the isolation and large-scale propagation of this virus.
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D002460:Cell Line; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006678:HIV / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000276:immunology; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006680:HLA Antigens