Effects of IFNα on late stages of HIV-1 replication cycle

摘要

IFNα causes a modest reduction of HIV-1 expression in chronically infected monocytoid U937 cells. However, the ratio between cell-associated and shed viral p24 antigen is altered, being the cell-associated fraction dose-dependently enhanced by IFN. Furthermore, a significant decrease of infectivity of both cell-associated and shed material is observed. Transmission electron Microscopy of IFN-treated cells revealed virus assembly being strongly inhibited, with the production of morphologically altered (tear-drop shaped) virus particles. proteolytic processing of gag proteins appeared to the normal in IFN-treated cultures.