Experimental conditions that increase the production of HIV-1 by monocyte-derived macrophages: use of collagen matrix

Monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) from healthy blood donors were isolated by adherence to tissue culture-treated plasticware. They were cultured in vitro in medium supplemented with human serum and recombinant GM-CSF, then infected with the macrophage-tropic prototype strain HIV-1-PAR. Virus produ ction was quantitated at various times after infection by measuring reverse transcriptase concentration in cell-free tissue culture supernatant fluids , using a sensitive nonradioactive assay. Virus production was significantl y increased by culturing MDMs on plasticware previously coated with collage n 1. The increase in Virus production was dependent upon collagen 1 concent ration, with maximal value being encountered after coating with 1.5 mu g/cm (2). These results indicate that the sensitivity of peripheral macrophages to HIV-1 infection might be influenced by contact-dependent interactions in volving components of the extracellular matrix that take place during the p rocess of monocyte extravasation and migration. (C) Elsevier, Paris.