Productive infection of a cervical epithelial cell line with human immunodeficiency virus: implications for sexual transmission.
The human cervix-derived epithelial cell line (ME180) used in this study displays a characteristics epithelial morphology, including numerous desmosomes, tonofilaments, and epidermal filaments. When T-cell lines infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are added to epithelial cultures, they rapidly adhere to the epithelial monolayer. Within a few minutes, the T cells shed numerous virions into narrow spaces formed between the epithelial cell and the adherent T cells. Virions subsequently enter the ME180 cells via large vesicles. A few days after infection, cytopathic effects and syncytium formation were observed. Infected clones of ME180 cells have remained infected for 8 months. p24 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and infectivity assays show that one subclone of the cell line produces virus titers equivalent to those of high-secreting HIV-infected T-cell lines. Electron microscopy reveals numerous virions budding from both the basal and apical surfaces of the epithelium. These observations suggest that cervical epithelium has the potential to serve as a site of HIV infection.
Tan
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Population Council, New York, New York 10021.
Pearce-Pratt
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Phillips
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DM
D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D002460:Cell Line; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000382:microbiology*; D003588:Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral; D004848:Epithelium / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000254:growth & development*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D014779:Virus Replication
D015704:CD4 Antigens