Abstract

Proviral DNAs from HIV-1-infected CD4+ T cells (Molt/LAV cells) were amplified and detected in infected individual cells using polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization. In this in situ PCR, three parameters were considered to achieve effective amplification and retention of amplificants inside the cells by making high molecular weight PCR products intracellularly, forming agarose matrix against the cells, and maintaining the appropriate PCR temperature profile. Over the cycles of amplification, tailed primers with complementary overhanging sequences at their 5 sides manufactured high molecular weight products by using short primary products as a repeating unit. Agarose matrix could prevent the diffusion of the amplificants from the cells. Use of Thermanox coverslip inside the PCR tube offered target cells a similar temperature profile to that of conventional PCR in solution.

• Keywords: in situ PCR; tailed primers; high molecular weight PCR products; agarose matrix; Thermanox coverslip