A SIMPLE AND RELIABLE METHOD TO DETECT CELL-MEMBRANE PROTEINS ON INFECTIOUS HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS TYPE-1 PARTICLES

Identification of cell-derived molecules on infectious human immunodef iciency virus type 1 (HIV-1) particles may be helpful in investigating mechanisms of HIV infection and in vaccine studies. Some of these mol ecules were detected an HIV-1 virions in previous studies, but rather elaborate methods were used. The method presented here allows an exten sive characterization of the cell surface molecules associated with HI V-1 by capturing virus particles on monoclonal antibodies to cell memb rane antigens bound to plastic wells. Binding of infectious virus was assessed by adding permissive target cells (C8166) and determining vir al replication. With this procedure, beta(2)-microglobulin, HLA-DR, in tercellular adhesion molecule-1, and leukocyte function antigen-1 were found on HIV-1 particles from laboratory strains and primary clinical isolates. In contrast, CD19, CD4, and CD8 molecules were not detected .