Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026
Kupffer Cell Isolation for Nanoparticle Toxicity Testing
Published on: August 18, 2015
Evidence of feline immunodeficiency virus replication in cultured Kupffer cells
J P Martin1, A Bingen, J Braunwald
1INSERM U-74, Louis Pasteur University, Strasbourg, France.
Objective:
To determine if cultured feline Kupffer cells (KC) are as permissive for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) as cultured human liver macrophages are for HIV. Two types of infection likely to be relevant to the in vivo situation were used. KC were infected with either free virus or autologous infected peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).
Methods:
Feline KC were isolated by centrifugal elutriation from collagenase-perfused liver; cultured cells were characterized by their morphological appearance and their erythrophagocytotic properties. After infection, viral replication was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, reverse transcriptase activity, immunofluorescence assay, in situ hybridization and electron microscopic observations.
Results:
Three days after isolation, 85% of cultured KC were able to internalize red blood cells; 45% were CD4-positive and 65% expressed a 24 kD protein thought to be a receptor for FIV (CD9). After the addition of autologous infected PBMC or cell-free supernatant of chronically infected IRC4 cells to KC cultures, a peak of viral replication was detected at day 28. Antigen revealed by immunofluorescence assay was present in only 0.4%, and viral RNA was detected by in situ hybridization in 2% of the infected cells.
Conclusions:
FIV can replicate in cultured feline KC without inducing any cytopathic effect, which suggests that these cells may play a role in the physiopathology of FIV infection.
Insights
Cultured feline Kupffer cells (KC) support feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) replication. These liver macrophages may be involved in FIV infection, similar to how human liver macrophages are involved with HIV.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a lentivirus affecting domestic cats.
- Kupffer cells (KC) are resident macrophages in the liver, crucial for immune responses.
- Understanding FIV tropism in feline liver macrophages is vital for disease pathogenesis research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the permissiveness of cultured feline Kupffer cells (KC) to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) with that of human liver macrophages to HIV.
- To investigate FIV infection using free virus or infected peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).
Main Methods:
- Isolation and culture of feline Kupffer cells (KC) from liver.
- Characterization of KC by morphology, erythrophagocytosis, CD4, and CD9 expression.
- Measurement of FIV replication via ELISA, RT activity, immunofluorescence, in situ hybridization, and electron microscopy.
Main Results:
- Cultured feline KC exhibited macrophage characteristics, including phagocytosis and expression of FIV receptor CD9.
- FIV replication was detected in KC following infection with free virus or infected PBMC, peaking at day 28.
- Low percentages of infected cells showed viral antigen (0.4%) or RNA (2%) by day 28.
Conclusions:
- Cultured feline Kupffer cells (KC) are permissive to FIV replication.
- FIV infection in KC occurs without apparent cytopathic effects.
- Feline KC may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of FIV infection.
