INFECTION OF HUMAN FETAL CARDIAC MYOCYTES BY A HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCYVIRUS-1-DERIVED VECTOR

Cardiomyopathy associated with HIV-I infection is a well-recognized co mplication. However, it is unknown whether direct cardiomyocyte infect ion is involved in the pathogenesis of the cardiomyopathy. An HIV-1-ba sed lentiviral vector and wild-type HIV-1 were used to infect human fe tal cardiac myocytes in a primary culture. Quantitative polymerase cha in reaction, viral p24 antigen determination, and immunofluorescence w ere used to detect the synthesis of HIV-1 DNA and proteins after the i nfection. High-efficiency infection occurred using the HIV-1-based len tiviral vector, although no infection occurred with the wild-type HIV- 1 strain. Dual-labeling immunofluorescence for HIV-1 proteins and myos in confirmed that cardiomyocytes were infected. This in vitro analysis suggests that direct myocyte infection with wild-type HIV-1 may not b e involved in the pathogenesis of HIV-1 cardiomyopathy. However, HIV-l -based vectors may prove useful for ex vivo cardiovascular gene therap y.