HIV-INFECTION OF CHORIOCARCINOMA CELL-LINES DERIVED FROM HUMAN PLACENTA - THE ROLE OF MEMBRANE CD4 AND FC-RS INTO HIV ENTRY

We have shown previously that trophoblast cells from human placenta ca n be infected with HIV-I and a productive infection established. Recen tly, (1991, J. Virol. 65, 2102-2107) Zachar et al. and D. M. Phillips and X. Tan (1992, AIDS Res. Hum. Retroviruses 8, 1697-1705) have descr ibed in vitro infection of choriocarcinoma cell lines. Using choriocar cinoma cell lines (JAR, BeWo, and FD25, a trophoblast-derived cell lin e) we have infected these cells with several laboratory strains of vir us and have shown that this can be prevented either by sCD4 or by anti bodies to CD4. This provides strong evidence that the infection may be through CD4. In addition, we have found that infection of JAR and FD2 5 cells by HIV-1/Lai was enhanced in the presence of human antisera to HIV-1. This supports an additional role for immunoglobulin receptors (Fc-R) in the entry of virus into the cell. We report here evidence th at CD4 and Fc-R on the cell surface play crucial roles in the entry of HIV into such placenta-derived cell lines. (C) 1995 Academic Press, I nc.