Reversion of a polymerase-defective integrated HIV-1 genome.

The 8E5 clonal cell line, derived from HIV-1-infected CEM cells, carries a single, reverse transcriptase (RT)-defective copy of an integrated HIV genome. The absence of RT production is a consequence of a frame shift in the pol gene, due to the addition of a single base at position 3241. We report here that 8E5 cells produce an infectious virus that can be serially passaged on CD4+ lymphoid cells. This virus (8E5R) is RT positive, but displays a slow replication profile, together with a reduced cytopathic effect. The nucleotide sequence of a segment of the pol region produced by PCR amplification of DNA from 8E5R-infected cells shows that the single nucleotide insertion characteristic of the 8E5 genome had been corrected. The same reversion event was also found to occur in most single-cell clones derived from the 8E5 cell line. Because this cell line is used in many laboratories, notably as a standard for PCR quantitation, and is generally considered as unable to produce infectious virus, our findings should prompt investigators to use particular care in the handling of these cells.

Kinetic analysis of HIV-1 early replicative steps in a coculture system.

During an acute human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in vitro, different forms of unintegrated viral DNA accumulate in target cells. They include linear full-length HIV DNA molecules, which are the precursors of the integrated provirus, and two types of circular molecules (with one or two LTRs), whose role and mode of formation are not fully understood. To evaluate the intracellular fate of HIV unintegrated DNA, and to follow the formation of the two types of circular DNA molecules, the nuclear transport of viral DNA, and its integration in host cell DNA, we have designed a "DNA chase" assay. This assay is based on cocultivation of persistently HIV-1-infected H9 cells with uninfected MT4, allowing rapid accumulation of viral DNA, which is then blocked by addition of AZT. In this highly efficient, synchronous, one-step cycle infection system, HIV linear DNA can be detected on Southern blots as early as 4 hr after the start of the coculture. Subsequently, viral DNA that had been synthesized before the addition of AZT could be "chased," establishing that almost all linear DNA molecules are rapidly transported to the nucleus, where they are either processed into the two types of circles or integrated. We could estimate that from the number of viral DNA molecules synthesized in 6 hr in this system, at least a third will become integrated and another third will circularize within 24 hr.

In vivo retroviral mediated gene transfer into bladder urothelium results in preferential transduction of tumoral cells.

OBJECTIVES: Superficial bladder tumours are at high risk for recurrence, relapse after resection, escape to intravesical immunotherapy and they may become invasive. New therapeutics are therefore needed to achieve cure. Thus, gene therapy is an attractive new treatment modality for malignant bladder tumours. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and the efficiency of retroviral mediated reporter gene transfer into malignant urothelial cells both in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: We evaluated the feasibility of the transfection of bladder tumour with direct intravesical instillation of a defective retrovirus. The vector was derived from LXSN. The efficiency of transduction with the Moloney Leukaemia Murine virus-based vector, amphotrophic retroviral vector, was monitored through the expression of two marker genes (nls-LacZ and NeoR). The canine animal was chosen since it can present with spontaneous bladder carcinomas mimicking human pathology. Primary cultures of two normal canine bladder urothelium and two canine primary bladder tumours were first studied. We then investigated in vivo, in two normal and two spontaneous tumour bearing dogs, the transduction of urothelial cells following direct intravesical instillation of 2.10(4) to 3.10(6) of the retroviral vector. RESULTS: Transduced cells were evidenced in all primary cultures of canine normal urothelium and transitional cell carcinoma. Bladder biopsies from sound dogs instilled with the viral solution showed long lasting transduction up to 60 days long. Bladder cryosections from tumour-bearing dogs displayed transduction of superficial layers of urothelial cancer cells without passing through lamina propria. In vivo transduction was evidenced in 1 to 15% (mean 5%) of the cells in the tumours and preferentially addressed malignant cells. Normal epithelium either originating from sound or tumour-bearing animals was not transduced. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate for the first time the feasibility of in vivo retroviral transduction of bladder cancer using a clinically relevant procedure.