Long-term noncytopathic productive infection of the human monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1IIIB).

A long-term, noncytopathic, productive infection of the monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1IIIB) was established. Both infected cells (THP-1/HIV-1IIIB) growing in suspension and uninfected, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-treated THP-1 cells, which are adherent, showed ultrastructural characteristics of differentiated cells. PMA-treated THP-1 cells could not be productively infected with HIV-1IIIB. THP-1/HIV-1IIIB cells produced virions mainly by budding at the plasma membrane. These cells retained the ability to differentiate into macrophage-like cells, capable of releasing the virus for extended periods of time (e.g., 40 days). PMA-mediated differentiation of THP-1/HIV-1IIIB cells modified the pattern of virus localization. Immediately after PMA treatment mature viral particles were primarily observed extracellularly. After 21 days in culture, however, the virions accumulated in intracellular vacuoles. THP-1/HIV-1IIIB cells may be used as a useful model system for HIV-infected macrophages.