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Collection, Isolation, and Flow Cytometric Analysis of Human Endocervical Samples
12:34

Collection, Isolation, and Flow Cytometric Analysis of Human Endocervical Samples

Published on: July 6, 2014

Productive infection of a cervical epithelial cell line with human immunodeficiency virus: implications for sexual

X Tan1, R Pearce-Pratt, D M Phillips

  • 1Population Council, New York, New York 10021.

Journal of Virology
|November 1, 1993
PubMed

Insights

Human cervical epithelial cells (ME180) can be infected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These infected cells produce and shed infectious HIV virions, suggesting the cervix is a potential site for HIV infection.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Cell Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • The human cervix is a potential site for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission.
  • Understanding the cellular mechanisms of HIV infection in cervical epithelium is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the susceptibility of the ME180 cervical epithelial cell line to HIV infection.
  • To characterize the interaction between HIV-infected T cells and cervical epithelial cells.

Main Methods:

  • Co-culture of ME180 cells with HIV-infected T-cell lines.
  • Electron microscopy to visualize virion budding and entry.
  • p24 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and infectivity assays to quantify viral production.

Main Results:

  • HIV-infected T cells rapidly adhered to ME180 epithelial monolayers.
  • Virions were shed between cells and entered ME180 cells via endocytosis.
  • Infected ME180 cells exhibited cytopathic effects, syncytia formation, and produced high titers of infectious virus for up to 8 months.
  • Virions were observed budding from both apical and basal surfaces of the epithelium.

Conclusions:

  • Cervical epithelial cells (ME180) are susceptible to HIV infection.
  • The cervix can serve as a persistent site for HIV replication and shedding.
  • These findings highlight the potential role of cervical epithelium in HIV pathogenesis and transmission.

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