Method for the identification of compounds capable of abrogating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection of dendritic cells and T-lymphocytes
US5627025A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 12, 1994 |
| Grant date | May 6, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 12, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2500/00
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention relates to the role of dendritic cells in facilitating productive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Experimentally, productive infection with HIV-1 requires that virus be administered to T cells that are activated by mitogens. This application describes a productive milieu for HIV-1 infection within the confines of normal epithelial tissue that does not require standard stimuli. The milieu consists of dendritic cells and T cells that emigrate from skin and produce distinctive stable, nonproliferating conjugates. These conjugates, upon exposure to HIV-1, begin to release high levels of virus progeny. Numerous infected syncytia, comprised of both dendritic cells and T cells, rapidly develop. A method is disclosed for the identification of agents capable of inhibiting HIV transmission and chronic infection of dendritic cells and T lymphocytes found in epithelial tissues.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.