title: HIV-1 infection induces functional alterations in human liver endothelial cells in primary culture.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Since human liver endothelial cells allow HIV-1 multiplication in vitro, we investigated whether HIV induced functional alterations in these cells in primary culture.
  
  
  METHODS
  Direct evidence of the replication of HIV in endothelial cells is sparse, but clotting abnormalities and thrombi, which suggest the existence of an endothelial dysfunction, have been observed in HIV-infected patients. We therefore studied the storage and release of endothelial-specific factors in primary cultures of liver endothelial cells infected with HIV, as well as their cytoskeleton, pinocytic and phagocytic properties.
  
  
  METHODS
  Intracellular storage of von Willebrand's factor (vWF) was determined by immunofluorescence and computer image analysis. Excretion of vWF, protein S and endothelin-1 was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and radioimmunoassay. Cytoskeletal constituents were studied by light microscopy. The pinocytosis of acetylated low-density lipoproteins and the phagocytosis of latex beads were analysed under light and electron microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The synthesis of vWF is markedly decreased in HIV-infected liver endothelial cells, as is the excretion of endothelin-1. In contrast, the excretion of protein S remains unaffected and the cytoskeletal network appears to be unaltered. Pinocytosis and phagocytosis are preserved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HIV infection triggers non-lethal functional alterations in cultured human liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, with a selective impairment in the storage and/or the excretion of endothelial-specific factors such as vWF. This functional modulation could play a role in the pathophysiology of HIV-induced disease.
authors.affiliation: INSERM, unit 74, Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Lafon
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Steffan
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Royer
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jaeck
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beretz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kirn
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Gendrault
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004727:Endothelium / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010873:Pinocytosis; D014779:Virus Replication; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D014841:von Willebrand Factor