HIV mediates a productive infection of the brain | NNTC Data Coordinating Center (DCC)

Date Published:
10/1999

Publication Type:
Journal Article

Authors:

C.A. Wiley

C. Achim

C. Christopherson

Y. Kidane

S. Kwok

E. Masliah

J. Mellors

L. Radhakrishnan

G. Wang

V. Soontornniyomkij

Secondary:
AIDS (London, England)

Volume:
13

Pagination:
2055-2059

Issue:
15

URL:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

Keywords:
DNA;External;Proviruses;RNA;Viral

Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Approximately one quarter of patients with AIDS develop severe cognitive deficits called HIV-associated dementia complex. There is some controversy regarding the importance of viral load and distribution in mediating this neurologic disease. OBJECTIVE: Brain HIV proviral and RNA loads were compared to define the molecular nature of HIV infection of the brain. METHOD: Neuropathologic examination was performed on brains from 10 autopsies of patients with AIDS that had short post-mortem intervals and no evidence of opportunistic infection. Viral DNA and RNA were extracted and quantified from multiple brain regions. These findings were compared with triple-label immunofluorescence for viral and cell markers. RESULTS: Brains with histopathologic evidence of HIV encephalitis contained abundant HIV RNA and DNA. Regions without productive HIV infection showed minimal proviral load. By immunocytochemistry, only brain macrophages/microglia double labeled for viral proteins. CONCLUSIONS: HIV mediates a productive infection of brain macrophages/microglia. There was no evidence supporting the hypothesis of substantial neuronal or macroglial infection, or evidence of substantial proviral burden prior to the development of productive infection.