HIV replication and persistence in human gastrointestinal cells cultured in vitro

Epithelial and submucosal mesenchymal (SM) cells from normal human small intestine and colon could be directly infected by several strains of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Macrophage-derived virus strains were more potent than the HTLVIIIB prototype strain. Persistent release of virus over several months implies that the human gastrointestinal tract may serve as a site for primary infection and as a reservoir for the virus. Furthermore, HIV infection of SM cells may be an in vitro model of Kaposi's sarcoma.