A cell line-based neutralization assay for primary human immunodeficiency virus type 1 isolates that use either the CCR5 or the CXCR4 coreceptor

J Virol. 1999 Nov;73(11):8966-74. doi: 10.1128/JVI.73.11.8966-8974.1999.

Abstract

We describe here a cell line-based assay for the evaluation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) neutralization. The assay is based on CEM.NKR cells, transfected to express the HIV-1 coreceptor CCR5 to supplement the endogenous expression of CD4 and the CXCR4 coreceptor. The resulting CEM.NKR-CCR5 cells efficiently replicate primary HIV-1 isolates of both R5 and X4 phenotypes. A comparison of the CEM.NKR-CCR5 cells with mitogen-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in neutralization assays with sera from HIV-1-infected individuals or specific anti-HIV-1 monoclonal antibodies shows that the sensitivity of HIV-1 neutralization is similar in the two cell types. The CEM.NKR-CCR5 cell assay, however, is more convenient to perform and eliminates the donor-to-donor variation in HIV-1 replication efficiency, which is one of the principal drawbacks of the PBMC-based neutralization assay. We suggest that this new assay is suitable for the general measurement of HIV-1 neutralization by antibodies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • CD4 Antigens / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • HIV Antibodies / blood*
  • HIV Antibodies / immunology
  • HIV Core Protein p24 / analysis
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • HIV-1 / immunology*
  • HIV-1 / isolation & purification
  • HIV-1 / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / immunology
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / virology
  • Neutralization Tests / methods*
  • Receptors, CCR5 / metabolism*
  • Receptors, CXCR4 / metabolism*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Transfection

Substances

  • CD4 Antigens
  • HIV Antibodies
  • HIV Core Protein p24
  • Receptors, CCR5
  • Receptors, CXCR4