Human Immunodeficiency Virus Cannot Productively Infect Freshly Cultured Human Cartilage Cells

Abstract

The use of cartilage allografts is being discussed because of the possible transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). To further delineate the possibility for an HIV infection of cartilage cells the susceptibility and permissivity of normal human chondrocytes to HIV-1 was assessed in culture. Isolated cartilage cells were incubated during 30 days with the HIV, testing the production of viral p24 antigens and the formation of particle-bound reverse transcriptase (RT) in the supernatant. The H9 cell line was used as positive control. The production of p24 antigen did not occur on chondrocytes during the whole culture time. Furthermore, no RT activity was detected throughout the entire experimental period. Our results indicate clearly that HIV was not able to infect cartilage cells under these in vitro conditions, and, conclusively, HIV infection of cartilage in vivo is improbable.

Hiv Infection of Human Cartilage

“…Cartilage may be a potential site of systemic HIV infection. Although HIV infection from cartilage allografts has not been reported, we do not agree with Bujia et al (1993a) who suggest that they may be less likely to transmit HIV than other allografts. Cartilage allografts from donors of unknown status should be vigilantly screened for the possible presence of HIV.…”

“…HIV infection independent of the CD4 receptor by phagocytosis and endocytosis has been reported (Clapham et al 1989;Harouse et al 1989;Tateno, Gonzalez-Scarano and Levy 1989) and it may be that this mechanism is effective in vivo in human cartilage. The differing results of investigation of in vitro infection of human chondrocytes (Ikeuchi et al 1990;Bujia et al 1993a) are not explained by our study which suggests that chondrocytes can be infected under appropriate conditions.…”

“…Other mechanisms leading to possible HIV infection of chondrocytes have been examined. Cell-free HIV infection of chondrocytes has been investigated by two research centres with differing results (Ikeuchi et al 1990;Bujia et al 1993a) and the susceptibility of chondrocytes to HIV infection in vitro is uncertain.…”

Influence of Chemical Allograft Preservation Procedures on the Human Immunodeficiency Virus

“…To examine the possibility of HIV transmission using cartilage allografts, Bujía, et al 21 previously investigated the presence of CD4 antigens on the chondrocyte cell surface and demonstrated the absence of such antigens. Furthermore, it was shown that human cartilage cells obtained from nasal septum are not susceptible to productive infection with HIV when these cells are cocultivated with HIV in tissue culture 22 . Finally, in vivo studies demonstrated the presence of HIV DNA in perichondrium but not in cartilage 23 …”

“…Furthermore, it was shown that human cartilage cells obtained from nasal septum are not susceptible to productive infection with HIV when these cells are cocultivated with HIV in tissue culture. 22 Finally, in vivo studies demonstrated the presence of HIV DNA in perichondrium but not in cartilage. 23 The present study confirmed previous findings and also detected HIV in trachea graRs.…”