title: Human alpha- and beta-interferon but not gamma- suppress the in vitro replication of LAV, HTLV-III, and ARV-2.
abstract: The effect of human interferons (IFNs) (alpha, beta, and gamma) on the in vitro replication of AIDS viruses (LAV, HTLV-III, and ARV-2) in human peripheral blood lymphocytes was investigated. At the time of peak virus production, IFN-alpha preparations (leukocyte, Namalwa, alpha 1, and alpha 2) at 100 U/ml, suppressed LAV, HTLV-III, and ARV-2 replication as measured by reverse transcriptase (RT) activity by greater than 50%. This suppression was dose dependent and high dosages (500 U/ml) of IFN-alpha resulted in almost complete suppression of RT activities (77-99%). A low dose (100 U/ml) of IFN-beta suppressed all three AIDS viruses by 75%. In contrast, human IFN-gamma at a dose range from 100 U/ml to 500 U/ml had no significant effect on the production of infectious viruses. These results indicate that only IFN-alpha and -beta are effective against LAV, HTLV-III, and ARV-2 replication. A continuous supply of IFN appeared to be essential for the constant suppression of RT activity. In fact, upon termination of single IFN treatment, enhanced virus production resulted.
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000382:microbiology*; D017977:Deltaretrovirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors; D007371:Interferon-gamma