Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection and transcytosis activity of a HIV-1 susceptible clone from HeLa cell.

In order to clarify the transmission process of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) through the epithelial cell barrier, HeLa cells susceptible and non-susceptible to HIV-1 were cloned and designated as P6 HeLa and N7 HeLa cells, respectively. P6 HeLa cells could be infected with the LAI strain of HIV-1 and mediated HIV-1 transcytosis. In contrast, N7 HeLa cells exhibited neither HIV-1 infection nor transcytosis. CD4 and galactosylceramide as the receptors for HIV-1 were not detected on P6 HeLa cells, although an anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody (mAb) blocked HIV-1 infection. Since HIV-1-infected P6 HeLa cells exhibited no fusion and survived, we speculated that the P6 HeLa cells expressed molecules other than CD4 which facilitated HIV-1 infection. Two mAbs (A-14 ITK and C57 a9-9) which inhibited the HIV-1 infection of P6 HeLa cells were generated. Each mAb recognized distinct molecule(s) as shown by Western blotting. Transcytosis by the P6 HeLa cells was inhibited by C57 a9-9 but not by A-14 ITK or anti-CD4 mAb. Both infection and transcytosis may be responsible for HIV-1 transmission through epithelial cells in a complex manner. Although infection and transcytosis occurred via different mechanisms, the molecule(s) recognized by C57 a9-9 mAb may be associated with both processes.