Infection of monocytes/macrophages by HIV in vitro.

Because of the very important role of the mononuclear phagocyte system in the immunopathogenesis of HIV infection, a culture system for in vitro studies of infection of monocytes/macrophages with HIV was developed. A method is described for the infection of human monocytes/macrophages cultured on hydrophobic membranes (Teflon) with different strains of HIV. The HIV isolates can be characterized according to their replication potential on monocytes/macrophages cultures. The biological properties of some HIV1 and HIV2 isolates are compared in lymphocyte and monocyte/macrophage cultures.