The ultrastructure of multinucleate giant cells

Time course of Gag protein assembly in HIV-1-infected cells: a study by immunoelectron microscopy

Recent biochemical studies have identified high molecular complexes of the HIV Gag precursor in the cytosol of infected cells. Using immunoelectron microscopy we studied the time course of the synthesis and assembly of a HIV Gag precursor protein (pr55gag) in Sf9 cells infected with recombinant baculovirus expressing the HIV gag gene. We also immunolabeled for pr55gag human T4 cells acutely or chronically infected with HIV-1. In Sf9 cells, the time course study showed that the first Gag protein appeared in the cytoplasm at 28-30 h p.i. and that budding started 6-8 h later. Colloidal gold particles, used to visualize the Gag protein, were first scattered randomly throughout the cytoplasm, but soon clusters representing 100 to 1000 copies of pr55gag were also observed. By contrast, in cells with budding or released virus-like particles the cytoplasm was virtually free of gold particles while the released virus-like particles were heavily labeled. Statistical analysis showed that between 80 and 90% of the gold particles in the cytoplasm were seen as singles, as doublets, or in small groups of up to five particles probably representing small oligomers. Clusters of gold particles were also observed in acutely infected lymphocytes as well as in multinuclear cells of chronically infected cultures of T4 cells. In a few cases small aggregates of gold particles were found in the nuclei of T4 lymphocytes. These observations suggest that the Gag polyprotein forms small oligomers in the cytoplasm of expressing cells but that assembly into multimeric complexes takes place predominantly at the plasma membrane. Large accumulations of Gag protein in the cytoplasm may represent misfolded molecules destined for degradation.

Placental endogenous retrovirus (ERV): structural, functional, and evolutionary significance

That endogenous retrovirus (ERV) is present within the placenta of humans and other mammals has been known for the past 25 years, but the significance of this observation is still not fully understood. Much molecular biological data have emerged in recent years to support the earlier electron microscopic data on the presence of placental ERV. The evidence for ERV in animal and human placental tissue is presented, then integrated with data on the presence of ERV in a range of other tissues, in particular teratocarcinoma cells. Placental invasiveness and maternal immunosuppression are then discussed in relation to metalloproteinase secretion, the immunosuppressive potential of retroviruses, and placental growth factors, while the evidence for a functional link between placental protooncogenes and trophoblast malignancy is reviewed. Finally, placental development, structure, and life span are discussed within an evolutionary context. The hypothesis that one or more ancient trophoblastic ERVs could have played a role in the evolution and divergence of all placental mammals is evaluated.

The life-cycle of human immunodeficiency virus type 1

The life-cycle of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) has been studied using several techniques including immunoelectron microscopy and cryomicroscopy. The HIV-1 particle consists of an envelope, a core and the region between the core and the envelope (matrix). Virus particles in the extracellular space are observed as having various profiles: a central or an eccentric round electron-dense core, a bar-shaped electron-dense core, and immature doughnut-shaped particle. HIV-1 particles in the hydrated state were observed by high-resolution electron cryomicroscopy to be spherical and the lipid membrane was clearly resolved as a bilayer. Projections around the circumference were seen to be knob-like. The shapes and sizes of the projections, especially the head parts, were found to vary with each projection. HIV-1 cores were isolated with a mixture of Nonidet P40 and glutaraldehyde, and were confirmed to consist of HIV-1 Gag p24 protein by immunogold labelling. On infection, the HIV-1 virus was found to enter the cell in two ways: membrane fusion and endocytosis. After viral entry, no structures resembling virus particles could be seen in the cytoplasm. In the infected cells, positive reactions by immunolabelling suggest that HIV-1 Gag is produced in membrane-bound structures and transported to the cell surface by the cytoskeletons. A crescent electron-dense layer is then formed underneath the cell membrane. Finally, the virus particle is released from the cell surface and found extracellularly to be a complete virus particle with an electron-dense core. However, several cell clones producing defective mature, doughnut-shaped (immature) or teardrop-shaped particles were found to be produced in the extracellular space. In the doughnut-shaped particles, Gag p17 and p24 proteins exist facing each other against an inner electron-dense ring, suggesting that the inner ring consists of a precursor Gag protein showing a defect at the viral proteinase.

Culture of marmoset blastocysts on matrigel: a model of differentiation during the implantation period

BACKGROUND

The objective was to develop an experimental model for studying the differentiation of trophoblast and inner cell mass (ICM) during the early stages of implantation in primates.

METHODS

Marmoset monkey blastocytes were used in these studies. Ovulation was timed by plasma progesterone assays in ovarian cycles initiated by administering a luteolytic agent to mating marmosets. Embryos were recovered from the uterus usually at the eight-cell stage and cultured in minimum essential medium containing fetal calf serum, insulin, and transferrin. The embryos that formed hatched blastocysts by about day 11 after ovulation were transferred for further development in Matrigel-coated culture chambers. After 2, 4, and 6 days of development, two blastocysts were processed at each interval and serially sectioned for light and electron microscopy.

RESULTS

All blastocysts adhered to the Matrigel at their embryonic pole within 24 hours. Adherent polar cytotrophoblast was differentiating to syncytiotrophoblast at all time intervals, but syncytium was not detected in mural trophoblast until day 4 after attachment. By day 2 syncytial microvilli and processes had penetrated the Matrigel surface, whereas by days 4 and 6 cytotrophoblast that was differentiating to syncytiotrophoblast had invaded the matrix. Since all blastocysts maintained their structural integrity progressive differentiation of the ICM, endoderm and presumptive mesoderm was observed. A small amniotic cavity was observed at 2 days and by 6 days a distinct cavity separated polarized epiblast and amnion cells. Visceral and parietal endoderm were present at 2 days, and a completed primary yolk sac was observed by 4 days after attachment. In all blastocysts a basal lamina lined the inner surface of mural and polar trophoblast and the basal surface of the differentiating ICM.

CONCLUSIONS

The developmental time sequence of the cultured blastocysts closely resembled the time frame reported for marmoset embryos implanting in utero. An effective model for studying trophoblast invasion and differentiation of embryonic germ cell layers has been established.