HIV-1 uncoating in human CD4 + T cells: kinetic and functional analyses

Materials and methods We have developed an uncoating assay using human CD4+ T that stably express the restriction factor TRIMCyp. TRIMCyp targets the HIV-1 capsid core to block infection, however it can be specifically competed by Cyclosporine A (CsA). By washing out CsA at different time points in TRIMCyp expressing cells, we were able to determine for how long after infection TRIMCyp can target the core. We then evaluated the effect on uncoating of the drug Coumermycin-A1, which targets HIV-1 capsid and blocks integration, and the effect of Nup153, which promotes HIV-1 nuclear import and integration.