The biological phenotype of HIV-1 is usually retained during and after sexual transmission.
The biological phenotype of HIV-1 isolates from 21 subjects with primary HIV-1 infection was determined in primary lymphocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages as well as in three T-cell lines (MT-2, HUT78, and C8166). Seven isolates (33%) replicated on at least one cell line and were classified as rapid/high (n = 6) or intermediate (n = 1), while 14 isolates (67%) did not replicate in cell lines and were classified as slow/low. All isolates replicated in primary monocyte-derived macrophage cultures. Studies on 10 pairs consisting of index case and seroconverting sexual partner showed that the biological phenotype of HIV-1 was unchanged in nine transmissions, including 5 pairs where a rapid/high virus was transmitted. Most individuals (5 of 6) infected by a rapid/high virus retained this phenotype after seroconversion. These individuals also had significantly lower CD4 lymphocyte counts 1-3 years after infection. Thus, in contrast to what has been suggested by others, we found that HIV-1 variants with rapid/high phenotype were usually not suppressed, neither during sexual transmission nor after seroconversion in the new host. These findings have important implications for the understanding of HIV-1 transmission and pathogenesis as well as for vaccine design.
Fiore
J R
JR
Department of Microbiology and Tumorbiology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Björndal
A
A
Peipke
K A
KA
Di Stefano
M
M
Angarano
G
G
Pastore
G
G
Gaines
H
H
Fenyö
E M
EM
Albert
J
J
D002460:Cell Line; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000635:transmission; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000382:microbiology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000502:physiology*; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000382:microbiology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D014779:Virus Replication