Protocol for intracellular immunofluorescence measurements of latent HIV reactivation in a primary CD4+ T cell model.

Investigating the molecular mechanisms of HIV latency reversal in a proper physiological context can only be done in primary cells. Here, we describe a primary T cell model of HIV latency and a reliable flow cytometry assay to measure latency reversal efficacy by dual immunofluorescence staining for Nef and Tat. We also describe a procedure for identifying latency-reversing agents that effectively induce the biogenesis of P-TEFb, an obligate host transcription factor for HIV, while monitoring their effects on T cell activation.