AVS 45th International Symposium
    Biomaterial Interfaces Group Monday Sessions
       Session BI-MoP

Paper BI-MoP7
Observation of Infected Lymphocyte Cells by Atomic Force Microscopy

Monday, November 2, 1998, 5:30 pm, Room Hall A

Session: Biomaterial Interfaces Poster Session
Presenter: A. Cricenti, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Italy
Authors: A. Cricenti, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Italy
R. Generosi, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Italy
M. Girasole, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Italy
C. Colizzi, Universita' di Roma Tor Vergata, Italy
S. Bach, Universita' di Roma Tor Vergata, Italy
P. Perfetti, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Italy
Correspondent: Click to Email
The interaction between lymphocyte cells and HIV virus have been studied at the membrane level by Atomic Force Microscopy in the repulsive regime of contact mode. Morphological characteristics of non infected lymphoid cells and HIV infected cells were easily imaged in fixed and dried cell preparations. After HIV exposure we observed a decrease in surface protrusions (loss of microvilli) and the creation of many dips. Some particles, presumably of viral origin (120 - 130 nm size), were also observed in proximity of the cell surface. Similar changes have been observed by AFM on cells exposed to intense electromagnetic field thus indicating that such cells undergo modifications of their morphology upon suffering from an external agent.