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Biomedical subjects

L Montagnier

Publications and source records attributed to L Montagnier.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected monocytic cells can destroy human neural cells after cell-to-cell adhesion.

Primary cultures of human embryonic neurons and astrocytes have been used to test the interactions between neural cells and either human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) or HIV-1-infected monocytes. After direct infection with HIV-1, neither morphological alteration of neurons and astrocytes nor signs of viral replication were observed. Similarly, cultured human neurons and astrocytes were resistant to incubation with the supernatant of HIV-1-infected U937 cells, a human monoblastoid cell line. In contrast, HIV-1-infected U937 monocytic cells adhered to neural cells and induced large plaques of necrosis surrounding them. This cytopathic effect began at the time of viral replication (day 16 after infection). Its intensity depended on that of viral replication, and its range was identical to the region of diffusion of viral antigens, as judged by immunocytochemistry. The cytopathic effect was not dependent on the release of free radicals. It could not be induced by cytokines or cytokine-stimulated U937 cells. It is likely that this cytopathic effect depends on the release of viral antigens either within the site of adherence itself or within close range of the astrocyte membrane.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Antiviral action of polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid against HIV in cell cultures.

Polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid referred to as poly(A).poly(U) is a synthetic double-stranded RNA which has been shown to manifest both antitumoral and immunomodulatory activities. Here we used this agent to demonstrate its antiviral activity against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1 and HIV-2). Treatment of cells with poly(A).poly(U) resulted in a significant delay in the development of the HIV-specific cytopathic effect characterized by the formation of syncytia and cell lysis. Furthermore, the production of virus measured by the concentration of the HIV major core protein was reduced by 90-95%. Under these experimental conditions, the synthesis of HIV proteins was reduced at least tenfold whereas the metabolism and proliferation of cells apparently were not affected. The inhibitory action of poly(A).poly(U) seems to be at the level of viral entry into cells. Combined treatment of infected cells with poly(A).poly(U) and azidothymidine (AZT) resulted in a 4-5-fold synergistic inhibitory effect. Previously, no toxicity has been observed in cancer patients with long-term treatment with poly(A).poly(U). In view of this and the significant anti-HIV effect, poly(A).poly(U) provides a potential candidate as a therapeutic drug in AIDS disease.

Antiviral Agents

Study of the interaction of HIV-1 and HIV-2 envelope glycoproteins with the CD4 receptor and role of N-glycans.

In order to further characterize the interaction of human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) with the CD4 receptor at the molecular level, a binding test was performed using iodine-labeled glycoproteins, 125I-gp160 from HIV-1 and 125I-gp140 from HIV-2, to bind to lymphoid cells expressing the CD4 receptor. The inhibition of binding of the radiolabeled glycoproteins to CD4+ cells by increasing concentrations of nonradiolabeled gp160 or gp140 was used to determine the affinity of the interaction between the glycoproteins and CD4. The gp-CD4 association occurs with a high affinity: K0.5 gpHIV-1 = 9 x 10(-9) M and K0.5 gpHIV-2 = 7 x 10(-8) M, indicating that the affinity of the interaction between HIV-2 gp140 and CD4 is 10 times lower than that observed with HIV-1 gp160. The N-linked glycans of the HIV-1 and HIV-2 glycoproteins account for a high proportion of their molecular mass (about 50%). Total deglycosylation of gp160 and gp140 by enzymatic treatment with Endo F-N glycanase occurred under nondenaturing conditions, indicating the high accessibility of the N-linked glycan chains in the three-dimensional structure of the molecule. Moreover, the deglycosylated proteins retained a significant binding capacity to CD4. These results show that the carbohydrate chains of HIV-2 gp140, as those of HIV-1 gp160, do not play a major role in the gp-CD4 interaction.

CD4 Antigens

Detection of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 in brain tissue.

Infection due to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 2 is believed to cause a clinical picture similar to that of HIV-1, although extensive data are not available. In 2 patients with West African exposure and neurologic symptoms, HIV-2 was detected in the central nervous system using DNA and RNA polymerase chain reaction, in situ hybridization, and immunohistology. In the first patient, the neurologic disease was most likely due to productive infection with HIV-2. In the second, a combination of neuropathologic abnormalities (including the presence of HIV-2) explained the clinical features. Thus HIV-2, like HIV-1, can be readily detected in brain tissue in patients with neurologic abnormalities, although the exact role of HIV-2 in pathogenesis of AIDS-associated neurologic disease requires further study.

Adult

Comparison of early and late feline immunodeficiency virus encephalopathies.

DESIGN: The study of the early and late stages of encephalopathy following infection by the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) was carried out with laboratory and naturally infected cats. INTERVENTIONS: Animals infected experimentally were injected with three different isolates of the virus, administered either intracerebrally or intravenously, and sacrificed at 7 days, 1 and 6 months (intracerebral injection), and 2, 6 and 12 months (intravenous injection) post-inoculation, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: General features of encephalopathy were found to be identical, regardless of the method of inoculation or the viral strain used. Moderate gliosis and glial nodules, sometimes associated with perivascular infiltrates and white matter pallor, were observed at 1 month (intracerebral injection) and 2 months (intravenous injection), and remained unchanged until 12 months post-inoculation. The fact that these initial stages are identical for intravenously and intracerebrally inoculated cats suggests that the virus enters the brain very quickly in intravenously infected animals. Encephalopathy in cats naturally infected with FIV only consisted of gliosis, glial nodules, white matter pallor, meningeal perivascular calcification and meningitis. These lesions were more frequent and more severe in the group coinfected with feline leukaemia virus and feline infectious peritonitis virus. Although multinucleated cells were rare, the strong similarities between HIV and simian immunodeficiency virus encephalopathies at comparable stages support the view that FIV infection may represent an interesting model for a physiopathological approach of HIV infection of the central nervous system.

Animals

Autoantibodies typical of non-organ-specific autoimmune diseases in HIV-seropositive patients.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse serological aspects of systemic autoimmunity in HIV-1-seropositive patients and in individuals at risk for AIDS. DESIGN AND METHODS: The reactivity of antibodies in the serum of 100 HIV-1-seropositive patients was investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a series of antigens known to be recognized by antibodies from patients with multisystemic autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, mixed-connective tissue disease and Sjögren's syndrome. RESULTS: High levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies reacting with double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), synthetic peptides of ubiquitinated histone H2A, Sm-D antigen, U1-A RNP antigen and 60 kD SSA/Ro antigen were found in 44-95% of HIV-infected patients. Among histone antibodies, the most frequent reactions were towards the carboxy-terminal region of histone H1 and to histone H2B and its amino-terminal domain 1-25. Eight HIV-1-seropositive patients at different stages of disease according to the Centers for Disease Control classification were also studied. In most cases, no obvious fluctuations were observed over several years. Antibodies were found early, and their specificity and apparent level of activity remained relatively constant. There was no evidence of such an autoimmune response in the serum of high-risk homosexual seronegative men. CONCLUSIONS: Although the aetiology of AIDS is known, in general the aetiology of multisystemic autoimmune diseases remains to be determined, and the sequence of events taking place remains obscure in both cases. It is possible that the large spectrum of antibodies found in HIV-infected patients reflects a specific stimulation of B-cells by nuclear antigens released by apoptosis during an early stage of disease.

Autoantibodies

Functional mapping of the rev-responsive element of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2): influence of HIV-2 envelope-encoding sequences on HIV-1 gp120 expression in the presence or absence of Rev.

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) regulatory protein Rev stimulates expression of structural viral proteins via a target response element (RRE) located within gag-pol and env mRNAs. To analyse the HIV-2 Rev trans-activation effect on the expression of the envelope protein, we cloned a functionally active HIV-2 rev cDNA and showed that it contained four exons. Using transient expression assays, we mapped a 353 bp RRE fragment within the env gene of HIV-2 on which both HIV-1 and HIV-2 Rev could act. Interestingly, smaller fragments suppressed the use of additional splice sites within the env gene and caused envelope protein expression independent of Rev.

Base Sequence

Role of mycoplasma infection in the cytopathic effect induced by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in infected cell lines.

In addition to previously reported tetracycline analogs, other antibiotics known for antimycoplasmal activities inhibited the cytopathic effect in CEM cl13 cells infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) or HIV-2 but were unable to block virus replication. A contaminating mycoplasma was isolated from our CEM cl13 cells and identified as a strain of Mycoplasma fermentans. Following infection of lymphoblastoid (CEM) or promonocytic (U937 and THP1) cell lines with HIV-1, cytopathic effect was observed only in association with mycoplasmal contamination. Moreover, HIV-1 infection of U937 cells after experimental inoculation with a human isolate of M. fermentans led to pronounced cell killing. We have verified that this effect is not merely an artifact caused by arginine and/or glucose depletion in the cell culture medium. These results confirm that mollicutes, in particular M. fermentans, are able to act synergistically with HIV-1 to kill infected cells in some in vitro systems.

Anti-Bacterial Agents

Genetic differences accounting for evolution and pathogenicity of simian immunodeficiency virus from a sooty mangabey monkey after cross-species transmission to a pig-tailed macaque.

We determined the nucleotide sequences of two related isolates of simian immunodeficiency virus from the sooty mangabey monkey (SIVsmm) that exhibit dramatic differences in virulence. These isolates are separated by one experimental cross-species transmission, from sooty mangabey to pig-tailed macaque. The parental virus (SIVsmm9), nonpathogenic in the original host (sooty mangabeys), causes a chronic AIDS-like disease in macaques. In contrast, the variant virus (SIVsmmPBj14) induces an acute lethal disease in various macaque species and is also pathogenic for sooty mangabeys. The combination of necessary and sufficient mutations that determined the acutely lethal phenotype on the SIVsmm9 genetic background is included within a maximal set of 57 point mutations, plus two insertions located in the long terminal repeat (22 bp spanning an NF-kappa B-like enhancer element) and in the surface envelope glycoprotein (5 amino acids). Comparisons of synonymous and nonsynonymous nucleotide substitutions in the genome of SIVsmm indicated that selective pressures, probably due to the host immune response, favored amino acid changes in the envelope. This immunoevolutionary mechanism could explain the increase in diversity and the apparition of new virulent phenotypes after cross-species transmission.

Animals

Influence of carbohydrate moieties on the immunogenicity of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 recombinant gp160.

The role of carbohydrates in the immunogenicity of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) glycoproteins (gp160 and gp120) remains poorly understood. We have analyzed the specificity and neutralizing capacity of antibodies raised against native gp160 or against gp160 deglycosylated by either endo F-N glycanase, neuraminidase, or alpha-mannosidase. Rabbits immunized with these immunogens produced antibodies that recognized recombinant gp160 (rgp160) from HIV-1 in a radioimmunoassay and in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Antibodies elicited by the different forms of deglycosylated gp160 were analyzed for their reactivity against a panel of synthetic peptides. Compared with anti-native gp160 antisera, serum reactivity to most peptides remained unchanged, or it could increase (peptide P41) or decrease. Only antibodies raised against mannosidase-treated gp160 failed to react with a synthetic peptide (peptide P29) within the V3 loop of gp120. Rabbits immunized with desialylated rgp160 generated antibodies which recognized not only rgp160 from HIV-1 but also rgp140 from HIV-2 at high titers. Although all antisera produced against glycosylated or deglycosylated rgp160 could prevent HIV-1 binding to CD4-positive cells in vitro, only antibodies raised against native or desialylated gp160 neutralized HIV-1 infectivity and inhibited syncytium formation between HIV-1-infected cells and noninfected CD4-positive cells, whereas antibodies raised against alpha-mannosidase-treated gp160 inhibited neither virus replication nor syncytium formation. These findings indicate that the carbohydrate moieties of gp160 can modulate the specificity and the protective efficiency of the antibody response to the molecule.

Amino Acid Sequence

Modulation of cell growth and host protein synthesis during HIV infection in vitro.

During HIV infection of CEM cells cultured in vitro, significant differences in growth rate and protein turnover were observed with different viral preparations. There was a significant inhibition of proliferation after infection with crude HIV supernatants. On the other hand, infection with purified HIV particles obtained by filtration, differential centrifugation, and isopycnic sedimentation led to a progressively increasing stimulation of cell growth. This early stimulation was prevented by neutralizing the virus with soluble CD4 molecules. Study of cell growth in the presence of a purified membrane preparation indicated that membrane fragments contaminating the crude HIV supernatant were responsible for the observed growth inhibition. Interestingly, the stimulation of proliferation was also observed with heat-inactivated virus or after inhibition of viral replication with ZDV. In the presence of purified HIV virions, the rate of general protein synthesis was not inhibited, as is usually observed with crude viral supernatants. However, a marked reduction in protein content and increased protein degradation was found in cultures infected with either crude or purified HIV preparations.

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes

Clinical and virological aspects of HIV2 infection in rhesus monkeys.

To establish an animal model of AIDS, two different "wild" or "adapted" HIV2 Rod and Eho strains were cultivated on monkey cells from different species (baboons, cynomolgus, Rhesus monkeys). Five different available strains were then injected both by intravenous (i.v.) and intracerebral (i.c.) route into ten Rhesus monkeys. Seven animals seroconverted between days 13 and 230. Reverse transcriptase activity in the lymphocyte culture supernatants was detectable in six of the seven animals that seroconverted, and in one animal that remained seronegative. Lymphopenia and a decrease in the CD4+ cell counts were observed in eight animals. One animal, inoculated with HIV2-Rod "wild type," developed a severe cachexia, with dyspnea, and associated neurological symptoms 150 days after inoculation. This animal was sacrificed on day 220. Pathological examination showed typical lesions of actinomycetes infection in the lungs and in the meninges. Another monkey had significant weight loss associated with lymphadenopathies and pancytopenia. These results suggest that in vivo replication of HIV2 in Rhesus monkeys may induce clinical symptoms of immune deficiency. This method is reproducible and may provide a good model for AIDS.

Animals

Human microglial cells: characterization in cerebral tissue and in primary culture, and study of their susceptibility to HIV-1 infection.

Neuropathological studies have shown that human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected cells within the brain express several markers characteristic of macrophages and could either be microglial cells, or monocytes invading the CNS, or both. To better define the target cells of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 within the brain, we have studied human microglial cells, both in vivo and in vitro, and compared them to monocytes for their antigenic markers and their susceptibility to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection. Brain-derived macrophages were isolated from primary cortical and spinal cord cultures obtained from 8 to 12-week-old human embryos. The isolated cells presented esterase activity, phagocyted zymosan particles, expressed several (Fc receptors, and CD68/Ki-M7 and CD11b/CR3 receptors) of the macrophagic antigenic markers, and appeared to be resident microglial cells from human embryonic brain. Conversely, brain-derived macrophages did not express antigens CD4, CD14, or CD68/Ki-M6, which are easily detected on freshly isolated monocytes. Using these antigenic differences between isolated microglial cells and monocytes, we have observed that two populations of macrophages could be individualized. In the normal adult brain, microglial cells were numerous in both the gray and the white matter. The infrequent cells sharing antigens with monocytes were found almost exclusively around vessels. In 8 to 12-week-old human embryos, microglial cells were found in both the parenchyma and the germinative layer. Cells sharing antigens with monocytes were only found at the top of and inside the germinative layer. In brain tissue from patients with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 encephalitis, cells sharing antigens with monocytes are abundant not only around the vessels but also in the parenchyma. In double-labeling experiments, human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected cells showed monocyte antigens. Finally, microglial cells also differ from monocytes in their in vitro susceptibility to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection; after stimulation by r-TNF alpha or GmCSF, monocytes but not microglial cells can replicate human immunodeficiency virus type 1. This in vitro difference in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 susceptibility between monocytes and microglial cells together with the presence of monocytic antigens within the brain tissue of human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected patients suggest that human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected cells within the brain are either monocytes that have crossed the blood-brain barrier and spread through the tissue or perivascular microglial cells that, after phagocyting infected blood lymphocytes, subsequently contain viral antigen and migrate to brain tissue.

Brain

High recurrence of rearrangements involving chromosome 14 in an ataxia telangiectasia lymphoblastoid cell line and in its mutagen-treated derivatives.

The cytogenetic characterization of CH cell line obtained by Epstein-Barr-virus transformation of the lymphocytes of a patient affected by ataxia telangiectasia is reported. Control CH cells and 2 subcultures treated with the mutagens R7000 or NQO were developed in parallel and studied. A common chromosome anomaly, a der(14) t(11;14) (q13.2;q32), was found in all the studied karyotypes, indicating that it occurred either in vivo or early in vitro. In non-treated cultures, additional anomalies were present in 6 derived subclones. All R-7000 treated cells had the same karyotype corresponding to one of the subclones observed without prior treatment. All NQO-treated cells acquired 2 common anomalies, and could be differentiated into 2 subclones because of the addition of a t(7;14) or a t(11;14). Chromosome 14 was involved in various rearrangements after breakage in band q11.2 or q12 in 6/8 subclones. This was not correlated with tumorigenicity, which was clearly increased in mutagen-treated cells as tested by in vitro growth in semi-solid medium and in vivo by grafts into nude mice or growth on the chorio-allantoic membrane of chick embryos. The CH cell line and its derivatives appear to be a promising in vitro system, showing various stages progressing towards malignancy, and reproducing a number of chromosome anomalies spontaneously occurring in AT patients.

4-Nitroquinoline-1-oxide

Changes in growth properties on passage in tissue culture of viruses derived from infectious molecular clones of HIV-1LAI, HIV-1MAL, and HIV-1ELI.

The construction and preliminary biological characterization of three molecular clones of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) are reported: HIV-1LAI from a French man with AIDS, HIV-1MAL from a Zairian boy with ARC, and HIV-1ELI from a Zairian woman with AIDS. All three sequences were found to code for infectious viruses. Both the host range and the kinetics of infection in CD4+ cells were different for the three viruses. Virus derived from each molecular clone was infectious on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), although LAI and ELI displayed more rapid growth kinetics than MAL. The viruses had different tropisms and growth kinetics in six cell lines. LAI was infectious in all of the cell lines and produced high levels of reverse transcriptase activity. MAL and ELI had more restricted tropisms: MAL could only replicate on SupT1, whereas ELI grew on Jurkat and MT-4, was delayed on CEM and H9, and was unable to infect U937 cells. In addition, we observed that both the replicative capacity and the cell tropism of viruses could change after passage through some established cell lines. These results suggest that the genotypes of some viruses in vitro are not stable and that selection for growth can cause the fairly rapid appearance of variants with increased growth potential.

AIDS-Related Complex