The interferon-induced Mx-homologous protein in people with symptomatic HIV-1 infection.
Twenty-six people with symptomatic HIV-1 infection were screened for the presence of interferon (IFN) alpha and IFN alpha antibodies in their sera and the presence of the IFN-induced intracellular Mx-homologous protein in their peripheral blood leukocytes. Eleven people had measurable IFN alpha levels ranging from 1 to 40 IU/ml. None of the sera tested was positive for IFN alpha binding or IFN alpha neutralizing antibodies in the assays employed. Twenty-five of the 26 people had significant levels of the Mx-homologous protein in their peripheral mononuclear cells. The Mx concentrations varied from 0.3 to 6 U/ml in the people studied. IFN alpha-positive people had significantly higher levels of the Mx homolog than IFN alpha-negative people (P less than 0.03). Furthermore, the Mx homolog content in Walter-Reed class 2 people was significantly lower than in Walter-Reed class 5/6 people (P less than 0.01). Our results suggest that the IFN system is activated in more than 90% of the people with lymphadenopathy-associated syndrome, AIDS-related complex and AIDS. Since acid-labile IFN alpha can induce the Mx homolog in vitro endogenously produced IFN alpha seems likely to be responsible for the high Mx homolog levels detected.
von Wussow
P
P
Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Medical School of Hannover, Federal Republic of Germany.
Jakschies
D
D
Block
B
B
Tschechne
B
B
Schedel
I
I
Horisberger
M A
MA
Hochkeppel
H K
HK
Deicher
H
H
D000386:AIDS-Related Complex / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000097:blood*; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D064547:Myxovirus Resistance Proteins; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D000906:Antibodies; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007370:Interferon Type I; D064547:Myxovirus Resistance Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins