Abstract: To determine the effects of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) gp120 on dissociated cultured dorsal root ganglion(DRG) neuronal growth. Methods: Dissociated cultured rat embryo′s DRG cells were treated with HIV gp120 at different concentration (125?pmol/L, 250?pmol/L, 500?pmol/L, 1?nmol/L, respectively) and then were processed for MAP2 immunofluorescent labeling, and furthermore the changes of neuronal cell body and neurites were observed with confocal laser scanning microscope. Results: The number and length of neurites were reduced after 7day treatment with gp120 compared with control group, whereas the diameter of neuronal cell body was not obviously altered compared with control group. Conclusion: HIV gp120 may have direct influences on the outgrowth of neurites in dissociated DRG cell cultures.

Key words: HIV, Ganglion, spinal, Neurons, Confocal laser scanning microscope