3'-Azido-3'-deoxythymidine-induced reduction in the ability of uninfected CD4-expressing cells to participate in syncytium formation.
A cocultivation assay system consisting of uninfected human T cells and cells chronically infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 has been used to investigate syncytium formation in short-term assays. Continuous treatment or short-term pretreatment of uninfected CD4-expressing human T-cell lines with 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) reduces the ability of these cells to participate in syncytium formation when mixed with chronically infected cells. The effect of AZT on syncytium formation is observed both as a reduction in the number of syncytia and as a reduction in the size of the syncytia that are detected. This syncytium-reducing effect of AZT is dose and time dependent and does not result from a modulation of CD4 antigen expression on the cell surface of uninfected, treated cells. Maximum syncytium reduction is observed with the continuous presence of AZT; however, pretreatment for times as short as 15 min results in a significant reduction in syncytium formation. Since reverse transcription is not required for efficient syncytium formation, the syncytium-reducing effect of AZT on uninfected human cells may represent an antiviral property of AZT with important therapeutic potential.
Department of Microbiology, Southern Research Institute, Birmingham, AL 35255-5305.
R W
RW
Buckheit
J
J
Germany-Decker
K
K
Qualls-Goodwin
B J
BJ
Bowdon
W M
WM
Shannon
D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D002459:Cell Fusion / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D013997:Time Factors; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000494:pharmacology*
D015215:Zidovudine