title: Recombinant human interferon-beta suppresses the replication of HIV and acts synergistically with AZT.
abstract: The in vitro effects of recombinant human interferon-beta ser (rIFN-beta ser) and 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) alone and in combination on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication were examined. rIFN-beta ser inhibited HIV progeny virus synthesis in cell cultures chronically infected with HIV. When used in combination, suboptimally effective concentrations of rIFN-beta ser and AZT synergistically inhibited HIV-mediated syncytium formation in HeLa T4 cell cultures. Whereas AZT alone reduced HIV replication in human MT-2 cells, addition of low concentrations of rIFN-beta ser reduced by 4- to 1,000-fold the amount of AZT required to maximally block HIV p24 antigen synthesis and HIV-mediated cell lysis. No drug-related cytoxicity was observed when the two agents were used together at and above maximally effective concentrations. These results suggest that a safer, yet effective, therapy for HIV infections may be achieved with reduced doses of AZT in combination with rIFN-beta ser.
authors.affiliation: Southern Research Institute, Microbiology-Virology Division, Birmingham, AL 35255.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Colby
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003588:Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral / Q000187:drug effects; D004357:Drug Synergism; D015683:Gene Products, gag / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006678:HIV / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D015488:HIV Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D015683:Gene Products, gag; D015488:HIV Antigens; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24; D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014758:Viral Core Proteins; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D015215:Zidovudine; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a