OBJECTIVE: Sexual transmission is a major mode of the spread of HIV-1, although the cellular and molecular mechanisms are poorly defined. In this study, we sought to assess the cellular reservoirs of HIV-1 proviral DNA in the semen of HIV-1-infected men. DESIGN AND METHODS: An in situ polymerase chain reaction (IS-PCR), which amplifies specific genes within intact cells, was used to evaluate levels of HIV-1 provirus in seminal cells from HIV-1-infected men in various stages of clinical disease. RESULTS: Initial studies demonstrated HIV-1 provirus in relatively low numbers (1:100 to 1:6000) of both the seminal mononuclear cells and sperm from certain HIV-1-infected men. To extend these findings, 94 seminal samples from HIV-1-infected men were evaluated. HIV-1 proviral DNA was detected in seminal cells of a significant percentage of HIV-1-infected men (45%) at all stages of clinical immunodeficiency. Both seminal mononuclear cells and sperm (35 and 33% of samples studied, respectively) harbored HIV-1 proviral sequences. HIV-1-harboring sperm are shown to stain positively for HIV-1 in the mid-pieces of these cells, with rarer staining of the sperm heads. CONCLUSIONS: HIV-1 proviral DNA can be demonstrated by IS-PCR in seminal mononuclear cells and sperm from certain HIV-1-infected men. The role played by proviral DNA in these cells in the sexual transmission of this retroviral agent will require further study.
OBJECTIVE: Sexual transmission is a major mode of the spread of HIV-1, although the cellular and molecular mechanisms are poorly defined. In this study, we sought to assess the cellular reservoirs of HIV-1 proviral DNA in the semen of HIV-1-infectedmen. DESIGN AND METHODS: An in situ polymerase chain reaction (IS-PCR), which amplifies specific genes within intact cells, was used to evaluate levels of HIV-1 provirus in seminal cells from HIV-1-infectedmen in various stages of clinical disease. RESULTS: Initial studies demonstrated HIV-1 provirus in relatively low numbers (1:100 to 1:6000) of both the seminal mononuclear cells and sperm from certain HIV-1-infectedmen. To extend these findings, 94 seminal samples from HIV-1-infectedmen were evaluated. HIV-1 proviral DNA was detected in seminal cells of a significant percentage of HIV-1-infectedmen (45%) at all stages of clinical immunodeficiency. Both seminal mononuclear cells and sperm (35 and 33% of samples studied, respectively) harbored HIV-1 proviral sequences. HIV-1-harboring sperm are shown to stain positively for HIV-1 in the mid-pieces of these cells, with rarer staining of the sperm heads. CONCLUSIONS:HIV-1 proviral DNA can be demonstrated by IS-PCR in seminal mononuclear cells and sperm from certain HIV-1-infectedmen. The role played by proviral DNA in these cells in the sexual transmission of this retroviral agent will require further study.
Authors: H W G Baker; A Mijch; S Garland; S Crowe; M Dunne; D Edgar; G Clarke; P Foster; J Blood Journal: J Med Ethics Date: 2003-12 Impact factor: 2.903
Authors: Deborah J Anderson; Joseph A Politch; Adam M Nadolski; Caitlin D Blaskewicz; Jeffrey Pudney; Kenneth H Mayer Journal: AIDS Date: 2010-01-16 Impact factor: 4.177