Cell-associated HIV-1 messenger RNA and DNA in T-helper cell and monocytes in asymptomatic HIV-1-infected subjects on HAART plus an inactivated HIV-1 immunogen.
OBJECTIVE
We examined the effect of an HIV-1-specific immune-based therapy on cell-associated HIV-1 DNA and RNA.


METHODS
Five HIV-1-infected subjects receiving HIV-1 immunogen plus HAART were compared with three HIV-1-infected subjects who received incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) plus HAART.


METHODS
Cell-associated HIV-1 RNA or DNA in lymphocytes and monocytes was determined using a dual immunophenotyping/in situ hybridization assay with or without in situ PCR amplification.


RESULTS
Cell-associated HIV-1 RNA in CD4 cells correlated with plasma RNA overall. CD4, HIV-1 gag-pol messenger (m)RNA+ cells decreased in the immunogen plus HAART group compared with the IFA plus HAART group. Decreases in HIV-1 DNA+ CD4 cells were observed in the immunogen plus HAART compared with the IFA plus HAART group. Decreases in HIV-1 gag-pol mRNA+ monocytes were observed in the immunogen plus HAART group compared with the IFA plus HAART group. Consistent with the findings in CD4 cells, decreases in HIV-1 DNA+ monocytes were observed in the immunogen plus HAART group compared with the IFA plus HAART group.


CONCLUSIONS
These preliminary observations support the rationale for examining the combination of immune-based therapies and antiretroviral drugs for effective HIV-1 control.
Patterson
B K
BK
Northwestern University Medical School, Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA. bpatters@nmh.org
Carlo
D J
DJ
Kaplan
M H
MH
Marecki
M
M
Pawha
S
S
Moss
R B
RB
D016915:AIDS Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005620:Freund's Adjuvant / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D019469:Indinavir / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019259:Lamivudine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009000:Monocytes / Q000821:virology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000821:virology*; D019562:Viral Load; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D016915:AIDS Vaccines; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral; C105086:remune; D019259:Lamivudine; D015215:Zidovudine; D019469:Indinavir; D005620:Freund's Adjuvant