Ion-abrasion scanning electron microscopy reveals surface-connected tubular conduits in HIV-infected macrophages.

ABSTRACT: HIV-1-containing internal compartments are readily detected in images of thin sections from infected cells using conventional transmission electron microscopy, but the origin, connectivity, and 3D distribution of these compartments has remained controversial. Here, we report the 3D distribution of viruses in HIV-1-infected primary human macrophages using cryo-electron tomography and ion-abrasion scanning electron microscopy (IA-SEM), a recently developed approach for nanoscale 3D imaging of whole cells. Using IA-SEM, we show the presence of an extensive network of HIV-1-containing tubular compartments in infected macrophages, with diameters of approximately 150-200 nm, and lengths of up to approximately 5 microm that extend to the cell surface from vesicular compartments that contain assem

SUBMITTER: Bennett AE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2743285 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature