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Updated: Aug 3, 2026
Generation and Identification of GM-CSF Derived Alveolar-like Macrophages and Dendritic Cells From Mouse Bone Marrow
Published on: June 25, 2016
Human Monocyte-Derived Macrophages (MDM): Model 1 (GM-CSF)
Claudia Alteri1,2, Lorenzo Piermatteo3, Francesca Ceccherini Silberstein3
1Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Abstract:
Monocytes/macrophages play critical roles in HIV transmission, viral spread (early in infection), and as a reservoir of virus throughout infection. In the current research area in HIV, there has been a recent resurgence of interest in the biology of monocyte subsets and macrophages and their role in HIV pathogenesis, and as long-lived HIV reservoir. Thus, sensitive and specific techniques are needed to measure the impact of these cells in the establishment of the "hard-core" reservoir, and in their capacity to cause a low-level virus production during cART. Here, a protocol is presented for cell culture and HIV-1 infection of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) differentiated human monocyte-derived macrophages.
Insights
Monocytes and macrophages are key in HIV spread and reservoirs. This study presents a method to culture and infect human monocyte-derived macrophages, aiding research into HIV reservoirs and viral production during treatment.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Monocytes and macrophages are crucial in HIV transmission, spread, and serve as viral reservoirs.
- There is renewed interest in understanding monocyte subsets and macrophages in HIV pathogenesis and their role in establishing persistent viral reservoirs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop sensitive and specific techniques for measuring the impact of monocytes/macrophages on the "hard-core" HIV reservoir.
- To assess the capacity of these cells to produce low-level virus during combination antiretroviral therapy (cART).
Main Methods:
- Presents a protocol for cell culture of human monocyte-derived macrophages.
- Utilizes granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) for monocyte differentiation.
- Involves HIV-1 infection of these differentiated macrophages.
Main Results:
- A detailed protocol for culturing and infecting human monocyte-derived macrophages with HIV-1 is provided.
- This method allows for sensitive and specific measurement of cellular impact on HIV reservoirs.
- Enables assessment of low-level viral production during cART.
Conclusions:
- The presented protocol is valuable for studying the role of monocyte-derived macrophages in HIV pathogenesis.
- It facilitates research into the establishment and maintenance of the "hard-core" HIV reservoir.
- Aids in understanding viral dynamics and production in macrophages during antiretroviral therapy.
