Viral determinants of HIV-1 sufficient to extend tropism to macrophages are distinct from the determinants that control the cytopathic phenotype in HL-60 cells.
METHODS
Infection of the human promyelocytic cell line HL-60 with NL4-3, a molecularly cloned HIV-1 strain that productively infects T cells, results in adaptation of the virus and production of a variant, NL4-3(M). Unlike NL4-3, NL4-3(M) has a rapid cytopathic effect in HL-60 and other myeloid cell lines.


OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate that the tropism of NL4-3(M) is extended to primary monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM), and to determine whether the envelope gene, env, of NL4-3(M) is responsible for cytopathicity in HL-60 cells and replication in MDM.


METHODS
A chimeric virus (NL4-3envA) containing the majority of env of NL4-3(M) was generated, and tested for virus replication and cytopathic effect in H9 and HL-60 cells, as well as for virus replication in primary MDM. To assess virus replication, the cultures were analyzed for expression of viral envelope glycoproteins on the infected cells and production of extracellular HIV-1 p24 antigen. Cytopathic effect on HL-60 cells was evaluated by monitoring the viabilities of the cultures. In addition, the majority of env of NL4-3envA was sequenced.


RESULTS
The biological phenotypes of NL4-3, NL4-3(M), and NL4-3envA are distinctly different. Although both NL4-3(M) and NL4-3envA replicate in MDM, only NL4-3(M) is rapidly cytopathic in HL-60 cells. Nine amino-acid changes were identified within the envelope glycoproteins of NL4-3envA compared with NL4-3.


CONCLUSIONS
The viral determinants of NL4-3(M) sufficient to extend the tropism of this virus to MDM reside, in part, in env. These genetic determinants are distinct from the viral determinants that control the cytopathic phenotype of this virus in HL-60 cells.
DiFronzo
N L
NL
Center for Virology, Immunology, and Infectious Disease Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC 20010, USA.
Pise-Masison
C A
CA
Fernandez-Larsson
R
R
Holland
C A
CA
D001665:Binding Sites; D003588:Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015700:HIV Envelope Protein gp41 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000502:physiology*; D018922:HL-60 Cells; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology*; D010641:Phenotype; D016865:Reassortant Viruses / Q000502:physiology
D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120; D015700:HIV Envelope Protein gp41