Quantity limit per order for this item is 1. This item can be ordered twice a year. Orders over this limit will be sent to NIAID for approval before shipment.

ARP-1109 cells express human CD4 protein on the cell surface and can be infected by most isolates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).  HeLa cells were infected with a retroviral vector expressing CD4 and Neo^r. Clones were selected for neomycin resistance and screened for the presence of surface CD4 via indirect immunofluorescence. Morphology is variable epithelial.

Foci of ARP-1109 infected with HIV-1 can be detected by indirect immunoperoxidase or immunofluorescence using anti-HIV-1 serum or monoclonal antibodies, or at a lower efficiency by syncytia formation. These cells are more sensitive than HT4-6C cells for titration of isolates from AIDS patients, giving endpoint titration values similar to PBLs. However, enhanced sensitivity in titration of laboratory-adapted HIV strains is not seen. Cells can be grown in the presence of G418. Clone 1022 cells contain no ecotropic or amphotropic murine retrovirus env genes.

Growth Characteristics:  ARP-1109 is a rapidly growing cell line with a doubling time of about 38 hours.  Cultures should be passaged by trypsinizing every 4 to 7 days at a ratio of 1:5 to 1:10. Cultures should be used to seed for HIV focal infectivity when cell density is subconfluent when density is < 3 × 10⁶ in a 25 cm² flask.  For long-term passage, maintain cells in 1.0 mg per mL G418. During the rapid expansion of cells to attain the numbers necessary for assays, G418 may be omitted.

Growth Medium:  RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and 1.0 mg per mL G418  

ARP-1109 is negative for Mycoplasma, bacteria and fungi. 

Each vial of ARP-1109 contains approximately 3.5 × 10⁶ cells per mL in RPMI 1640 supplemented with 40% fetal bovine serum and 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).  Please refer to the appropriate data sheet for lot-specific information.