Herpesvirus saimiri-immortalized human T-cells support long-term, high titred replication of human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2.
Herpesvirus saimiri strain C488 transforms human CD4+ T-lymphocytes to continuous interleukin-2-dependent growth. Unlike human T-cell lines derived from tumours or those transformed by human T-lymphotropic virus 1, herpesvirus saimiri-immortalized T-cells (HVS T-cells) retain many functions of primary activated T-lymphocytes. We have characterized the course of human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2 (HIV-1/-2) infection in three HVS T-cell lines. Our results confirm that HVS T-cells are highly permissive to both HIV-1/-2 prototype viruses and to poorly replicating HIV-2 strains of restricted cell tropism. However, the infection was persistently productive for up to 5 months. The down-regulation of surface CD4 molecules was delayed and virus yields significantly exceeded those obtained in T-cell lines.
Vella
C
C
National Institute for Medical Research, London, UK.
Fickenscher
H
H
Atkins
C
C
Penny
M
M
Daniels
R
R
D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D002472:Cell Transformation, Viral; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24 / Q000032:analysis; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000502:physiology*; D015498:HIV-2 / Q000502:physiology*; D006567:Herpesvirus 2, Saimiriine / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000821:virology*; D014779:Virus Replication
D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24