Methods to study monocyte migration induced by HIV-infected cells

Methods Mol Biol. 2009:485:295-309. doi: 10.1007/978-1-59745-170-3_20.

Abstract

HIV-associated dementia (HAD) is a multi-factorial disease set in motion by the presence of HIV-infected cells in the brain. A characteristic feature of HAD is the infiltration of mononuclear phagocytes into the brain, which is aided by HIV-1 Tat protein and other chemokines secreted by both HIV-infected cells and uninfected cells in their vicinity. Both direct and indirect chemokine activity of HIV-1 Tat protein has been demonstrated employing purified recombinant Tat protein. However, a corroboration of a key role for Tat or other chemokines in monocyte migration, in the context of HIV-infection, has not yet been demonstrated. Here we describe methods, to measure the role of soluble factors, such as chemokines and Tat, released by HIV-infected cells or uninfected cells in their vicinity, in monocyte migration in vitro.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Cell Migration Assays, Leukocyte / methods*
  • Cell Movement*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chemokines / immunology
  • HIV-1 / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Monocytes / immunology*
  • tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / immunology

Substances

  • Chemokines
  • tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus