In vitro replication of HIV-I in naturally infected CD4+ T cells is inhibited by rIFNalpha2 and by a soluble factor secreted by activated CD8+ T cells, but not by rINFbeta, rIFNgamma, or recombinant tumor necrosis factor-alpha

Article Abstract:

Interferons (IFNs) are cellular products that regulate cell metabolism. Some IFNs can prevent viral replication or viral production of proteins. They have been studied to see if they can help in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, which causes AIDS. HIV infects a number of cell types, including CD4+ T cells, a type of cell found in the immune system. This study examined the effects of a number of substances on HIV replication in infected CD4+ T cells. These substances included recombinant versions of the IFNs-alpha, -beta, and -gamma, recombinant tumor necrosis factor, and a secretion isolated from CD8+ T cells, also an immune system cell. Researchers obtained blood from HIV-infected individuals. Infected CD4+ T cells were isolated and grown in culture. CD8+ T cells were obtained from noninfected subjects and cultured, and their secretions were separated out. Cultures of the HIV-infected CD4+ cells were then exposed to the various substances. Results showed that IFN-alpha2 inhibited HIV replication in the cultures; inhibition increased as the amount of IFN-alpha2 increased. The other IFNs and recombinant tumor necrosis factor did not inhibit HIV replication. IFN-alpha2 and the secretion from the CD8+ T cells were then added to different cultures at varying times after the cultures were activated. When IFN-alpha2 was added to the activated cultures, replication was completely inhibited. It also greatly, but not completely, inhibited replication when given at later time points. The CD8+ T cell secretion greatly inhibited HIV replication when added to activated cultures; this ability decreased as the interval between activation and introduction of the secretion increased. Results of another test to rule out IFN-alpha2 as being the secretion factor found that, when both were added to a culture, the CD8+ T cell secretion factor inhibited replication in the presence of a substance that neutralizes IFN. These results indicate that IFN-alpha2 inhibits HIV replication as does a secretion factor from CD8+ T cells, and that the two are different substances. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Research, Evaluation, HIV (Viruses), HIV, Antiviral agents, Interferon alpha

---

HIV antibody status and employment discrimination: 1991 update

Article Abstract:

The Americans with Disabilities Acts of 1990 protect individuals who are discriminated against because of physical or mental impairment, including those who have a record of impairment and those who are simply regarded as having such impairment. This legislation includes individuals who have disease caused by HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). There is a provision in the legislation, however, stating that to qualify for protection under this bill, the individual cannot pose a direct threat to the health and safety of individuals in the workplace, such as in food service. Behavior that would put an individual at risk for HIV infection, such as the illicit use of drugs or homosexual behavior, is not considered a disability. Individuals who are disabled must have opportunities for employment, as the workplace is where health and personal insurance is generally obtained. Employers must provide the disabled employee with the same health insurance coverage that is available to other employees. The employer cannot limit the job opportunities of the employee because the job may present risks of infection. Future litigation will involve rules for coverage for those who were infected with HIV but did not have symptoms of disease before the time of employment. In any case, this legislation, which takes effect in 1992, will protect individuals with HIV from discrimination in the workplace. The legislation states that those with HIV disease are to be treated the same as individuals with other disabilities. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

AIDS (Disease), editorial

---

Activation and proliferation of CD8+ T cells in lymphoid tissues of HIV-1-infected individuals in the absence of the high-affinity IL-2 receptor

Article Abstract:

CD8+ T cells appear to be activated in lymph tissues in HIV-infected people. Most researchers have studied T cell activation in blood. However, only 2% of T cells occur in the blood. Researchers took biopsy samples from the tonsils of 13 HIV-infected patients and 6 healthy volunteers. The level of CD8+ T cells in the tonsils of the HIV-infected patients was much higher than in the uninfected people.

Tonsils

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: A survey of psychiatrically ill Asian children. A longitudinal study of psychological and social factors affecting recovery from psychiatric breakdowns
• Abstracts: Bioactive and inactive forms of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in spinal fluid from patients with meningitis. Tumor necrosis factor and severe malaria
• Abstracts: Prevention of preterm birth in high-risk patients: the role of educator and provider contact versus home uterine monitoring
• Abstracts: Biologic aggressiveness of palpable and nonpalpable prostate cancer: assessment with endosonography
• Abstracts: Lack of effect of chronic administration of oral beta-carotene on serum cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations. part 2

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.