title: HIV-infection and in vivo lipopolysaccharide-induced release of cytokines. An amplified mechanism of damage to the host.
abstract: Bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) or endotoxins are potent triggers of the cytokine (CK) cascade. These CKs are immune mediators which produce many biological effects and could play a detrimental rather than beneficial role in the host. In this review emphasis will be placed on the participation of two CKs, tumor necrosis factor [TNF-alpha and interleukin (IL-1) beta], in the pathogenetic development of HIV infection. We have found that TNF and IL-1 circulate in exaggerated amounts in the blood of HIV-infected subjects from the earliest phases of infection. Furthermore, we have observed a strict correlation between plasma LPS and IL-1 beta levels, thus indicating that endotoxins could account for the production of CKs in the course of HIV infection. Finally, the demyelinating role of TNF-alpha either in experimental models or in the course of AIDS dementia complex is outlined.
authors.affiliation: Cattedra di Immunologia, Facoltà di Medicina, Università di Bari.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jirillo
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Covelli
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Brandonisio
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Munno
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: De Simone
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Mastroianni
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Antonaci
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Riccio
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides