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Variables in the isolation and culture of human monocytes that are of particular relevance to studies of HIV
Author(s) -
Samuel Bennett,
Samuel N. Breit
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
journal of leukocyte biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.819
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1938-3673
pISSN - 0741-5400
DOI - 10.1002/jlb.56.3.236
Subject(s) - biology , isolation (microbiology) , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , monocyte , immunology , macrophage , virology , pathogenesis , population , virus , peripheral blood mononuclear cell , microbiology and biotechnology , in vitro , medicine , genetics , environmental health
Mononuclear phagocytes play an important role in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. However, knowledge of the extent of macrophage involvement in the pathogenesis of HIV infection is still incomplete. This is due in part to the technical difficulties associated with isolating, purifying, and culturing these cells. Isolation of a pure population of human monocytes is essential when studying the role of these cells in HIV infection. In addition, the differentiation, activation, and replication of human monocytes are critically affected by both isolation and culture conditions. This review examines the different monocyte isolation and purification methods and culture conditions that are currently being employed and assesses their suitability for studying the functions of monocytes in HIV infection. J. Leukoc. Biol. 56: 236–240; 1994.