Localization of HIV-1 in human thymic implant in SCID-hu mice after intravenous inoculation.
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) was immunohistochemically and ultrastructurally localized in human thymus implants in SCID-hu mice 3 weeks after intravenous (i.v.) inoculation of the virus. A viral antigen (gp120) was predominantly distributed in and around the epithelial cells in Hassall's corpuscles as demonstrated by fluorescence immunohistochemistry. Occasional solitary round cells positive for the viral antigen but negative for cytokeratin were detected in the perivascular areas. Ultrastructural examinations clearly revealed a number of mature viral particles in the intercellular spaces of the Hassall's corpuscles. Thus the present study indicates the possibility that thymic epithelial cells in Hassall's corpuscles act as a target and/or reservoir in an early stage of HIV infection.
Ogura
A
A
Department of Veterinary Science, National Institute of Health, Tokyo, Japan.
Noguchi
Y
Y
Yamamoto
Y
Y
Shibata
S
S
Asano
T
T
Okamoto
Y
Y
Honda
M
M
D000818:Animals; D004848:Epithelium / Q000648:ultrastructure / Q000821:virology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / Q000032:analysis; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D016513:Mice, SCID; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000637:transplantation / Q000648:ultrastructure / Q000821:virology*
D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120