Syncytia formation in HIV‐1 infected cells is associated with an increase in cellular oleic acid

Infection of cells with the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) usually results in the formation of giant multinuclear cells (syncytia) [(1986) Nature 322, 470-474; (1986) Nature 322, 725-728; (1985) Hum. Pathol. 18, 760-765; (1987) Ann. Neurol. 21, 490-496]. The appearance of syncytia is associated with an increase in the monounsaturated oleic acid content. This report describes experiments which compare the activity of known antiviral agents with that of saturated fatty acid derivatives in inhibiting oleic acid and syncytia formation. A concept is introduced which proposes that infection of cells with the human immunodeficiency virus causes a rise in cellular oleic acid which leads to increased membrane fluidity.