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Electron microscopy of human immunodeficiency virus.
D J Hockley1, R D Wood, J P Jacobs
1Electron Microscopy and Photography Section, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, U.K.
The Journal of General Virology
|October 1, 1988
Summary
Electron microscopy revealed distinct morphological changes in human T lymphocytes (H9 and CEM) infected with human or simian immunodeficiency viruses. Virus budding and particle morphology varied between cell types and viral isolates.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Human T lymphocytes are targets for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV).
- Understanding virus-cell interactions is crucial for developing antiviral strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ultrastructural changes in H9 and CEM T lymphocyte cell lines upon infection with HIV and SIV isolates.
- To characterize the morphology of virus particles and budding events using electron microscopy.
Main Methods:
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of infected H9 and CEM cells.
- Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of infected cell sections.
- Negative staining of purified virus preparations.
Main Results:
- SEM showed H9 cells infected with HTLV-IIIB lost microvilli and developed rounded protrusions, with virus particles concentrated between them.
- CEM cells infected with other isolates showed minimal morphological changes, often with virus aggregates at the cell posterior.
- TEM revealed budding virus in a small cell proportion; immature particles were ring-like, mature particles had elongated nucleoids.
- Surface spikes were more apparent on SIV than HIV in TEM sections.
- Negative staining showed immature particles with striated peripheral material and a distinct smaller particle type with spikes.
Conclusions:
- HIV and SIV infection induce differential morphological changes in H9 and CEM cells.
- Virus particle morphology, including immature and mature forms, varies and can be visualized by electron microscopy.
- Distinct smaller particles with spikes were observed, suggesting potential additional viral components or structures.