Membrane alterations linked to early interactions of HIV with the cell surface.

Ultrastructural studies suggest that cell surface alterations occur early during the course of HIV-1 infection of CD4+T-lymphoblastoid cells. Attachment and penetration of HIV resulted in formation of membrane discontinuities and pores and "ballooning." Distention of the endoplasmic reticulum occurred in some cells within the first hour after HIV infection, and this correlated with the numbers of virions bound at the cell surface. These results suggest that HIV virion components may directly damage the cell membrane.