Figure 4.

Vpx allows faster rates of complete and infectious viral DNA accumulation following HIV-1 infection. A) DCs were infected with a constant amount of HIV-1 LVs with or without Vpx-VLPs pre-incubation. Cell aliquots were harvested at times comprised between 4 and 48 hrs post-infection and the accumulation of FL viral DNA analyzed by semi-quantitative PCR. PCR products were quantified by phosphor imager (ordinate) after southern blot and hybridization analysis and input DNA normalization and are presented here in function of time (abscissa). B) DCs were infected with HIV-1 LVs with or without Vpx-VLPs pre-incubation and infection's rates obtained under normal conditions were compared with those obtained by inhibiting RT synthesis by addition of the nonnucleoside RT inhibitor Nevirapine at 7 hrs post-infection (10 μg/ml, this concentration inhibits completely viral infection if provided at the time of infection, not shown). GFP positive cells were analyzed by flow cytometry 5 days post infection. One representative data out of 2 independent experiments are presented for each panel.