PNA-in situ hybridization method for detection of HIV-1 DNA in virus-infected cells and subsequent detection of cellular and viral proteins

Methods Mol Biol. 2006:326:139-49. doi: 10.1385/1-59745-007-3:139.

Abstract

We describe in situ hybridization protocols using peptide nucleic acid (PNA) as a probe for detecting HIV-1 DNA in virus-infected cells and the subsequent detection of cellular and/or viral proteins. Because a PNA probe of approx 20 bases was sufficiently long to detect a specific target sequence, a conserved sequence of such a short length was easily identified. Therefore, this probe is valuable even to identify quasi-species of HIV-1. In addition, we adopted a catalyzed signal amplification method to amplify weak viral DNA signals; thus, stringent washing was crucial for eliminating false-positive signals. Our double-staining method using PNA-in situ hybridization and subsequent immunostaining enabled the active and inactive proviruses to be distinguished.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / virology
  • DNA, Viral / analysis*
  • DNA, Viral / genetics
  • HIV Core Protein p24 / analysis*
  • HIV Core Protein p24 / genetics
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • HIV-1 / genetics*
  • HIV-1 / isolation & purification
  • HLA-DR Antigens / analysis
  • HLA-DR Antigens / genetics
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • In Situ Hybridization / methods*
  • Peptide Nucleic Acids*
  • Proviruses / genetics
  • Viral Proteins / analysis*
  • Viral Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • DNA, Viral
  • HIV Core Protein p24
  • HLA-DR Antigens
  • Peptide Nucleic Acids
  • Viral Proteins