Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026
Isolation, Transfection, and Culture of Primary Human Monocytes
Published on: December 16, 2019
Culture of HIV in monocytes and macrophages
Suzanne Crowe1, Clare Maslin1, Philip Ellery1
1Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
Abstract:
Monocytes and macrophages constitute important cellular targets for macrophage-tropic (M-tropic) strains of HIV-1 and are believed to play a major role in the pathogenesis of AIDS. This updated unit provides procedures for culturing HIV in these target cells under suspension and adherent cell culture conditions. The unit also provides methods for expanding M-tropic primary isolates of HIV and determining the 50% tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50) of HIV stocks.
Insights
This study details methods for culturing macrophage-tropic HIV-1 in monocytes and macrophages. It provides protocols for expanding HIV isolates and determining infectious dose for AIDS research.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Monocytes and macrophages are key targets for macrophage-tropic (M-tropic) HIV-1 strains.
- These cells are implicated in the pathogenesis of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide updated, detailed procedures for culturing HIV in monocytes and macrophages.
- To offer methods for expanding M-tropic primary HIV isolates.
- To describe techniques for determining the 50% tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50) of HIV stocks.
Main Methods:
- Culturing HIV under suspension and adherent cell culture conditions.
- Expanding primary M-tropic HIV isolates.
- Determining HIV 50% tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50).
Main Results:
- Established protocols for successful HIV culturing in target immune cells.
- Demonstrated methods for amplifying M-tropic HIV primary isolates.
- Validated procedures for quantifying HIV infectious titers.
Conclusions:
- The provided unit offers essential, updated methods for researchers studying HIV-1 M-tropic strains.
- These protocols facilitate the expansion and titration of HIV stocks for pathogenesis and therapeutic studies.
- Accurate culturing and quantification are crucial for understanding HIV's role in AIDS development.
