title: Cytotoxic activity against HIV-infected monocytes by recombinant interleukin 2-activated natural killer cells.
abstract: Natural killer (NK) cells have long been known to aid in the control of viral infections by killing virus-infected cells, including those infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Among the possible NK-susceptible target cells in an infected individual, the monocyte/macrophages are of special significance since they may serve as both a reservoir of HIV and aid in dissemination of the virus throughout the body. A new technique for the enrichment and cultivation of large numbers of recombinant interleukin 2 (rIL-2)-stimulated NK cells has been developed which provides cells with high cytotoxic activity. These IL-2-activated NK cells, adherent lymphokine-activated killer cells (A-LAK), can kill monocytes infected with HIV for 24 h to 7 days, with optimal target sensitivity between 3 and 7 days. Recognition and killing of the infected monocytes did not appear to be restricted by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens and could be cold-target inhibited by tumor cell lines. A-LAK cells may be useful in newer therapeutic approaches to treatment of HIV infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15213.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Melder
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Balachandran
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Rinaldo
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Whiteside
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Herberman
mesh_terms: D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D006678:HIV / Q000187:drug effects*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; D011994:Recombinant Proteins