LATENT INFECTION OF EPIDERMAL LANGERHANS CELLS IN HIV-POSITIVE INDIVIDUALS

Epidermal cell suspensions obtained from 3 symptom-free HIV-positive individuals were cultured and marked with monoclonal antibodies for the HIV proteins p15, p24 and gp120 in the alkaline phosphatase anti-alkaline phosphatase staining technique. For 2 individuals, cells were positive after 3 days in culture, and for the third, after 4 days. Supernatant from one of the cultures infected allogeneic peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We conclude that epidermal Langerhans cells from symptom-free HIV-positive individuals are latent-infected and are able to produce and release HIV.