Identification of HIV-1 genitourinary tract compartmentalization by analyzing the env gene sequences in urine.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

HIV-1 persists indefinitely in memory CD4 T cells and other long-lived cellular reservoirs despite antiretroviral therapy. Our group had previously demonstrated that HIV-1 can establish a productive infection in renal epithelial cells and that the kidney represents a separate compartment for HIV-1 replication. Here, to better understand the viruses in this unique site, we genetically characterized and compared the viruses in blood and urine specimens from 24 HIV-1 infected patients with detectable viremia.

Design and methods

Blood and urine samples were obtained from 35 HIV-1 positive patients. Single-genome amplification was performed on HIV-1 env RNA and DNA isolated from urine supernatants and urine-derived cell pellets, respectively, as well as from plasma and

SUBMITTER: Blasi M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4710139 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature