PRESENCE OF HIV-1 IN HUMAN PARENCHYMAL AND NONPARENCHYMAL LIVER-CELLSIN-VIVO

The infection of liver cells by HIV-1 was investigated in vivo. Liver biopsies from 13 anti-HIV-1 antibody-positive patients were studied an d HIV-1 DNA was revealed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in eight. In situ hybridization demonstrated the presence of HIV-1 RNA in all ei ght PCR-positive liver specimens. Mononuclear inflammatory cells in th e portal tracts and Kupffer cells were labeled by a HIV-1 S-35-RNA pro be in all cases and by an anti-p24 monoclonal antibody, in seven cases . In addition, hepatocytes also clearly scored positive for HIV-1 RNA in three cases. These results demonstrate the infection of both parenc hymal and non-parenchymal liver cells by HIV-1 in vivo and therefore s how that HIV-1 can infect an epithelial CD4-negative cell type.