Detection by immunogold techniques of HIV antigens in Lowicryl ultrathin sections of infected cells.

A post-embedding technique for immunocytochemical analysis at the ultrastructural level was used to detect and localize HIV antigens on ultrathin sections of Lowicryl K4M-embedded HIV-infected cells. With serum from an AIDS patient, specific immunogold labelling was obtained exclusively on mature viral extracellular structures. The more intense reactivity was obtained with core antigens. The present immunoelectron microscopy method provides several advantages - high sensitivity of immunodetection, good preservation of cellular morphology, easy preparation procedure - which could lead to the use of this method for HIV-infected human tissues.