Immunolocalization of IL-1beta and IL-6 in optic nerves of patients with AIDS.
OBJECTIVE
Immunohistochemical procedures were employed to test the hypothesis that cytokines such as interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are involved in AIDS-related optic neuropathy and to determine the primary cell types involved.


METHODS
Fixed sections of six human HIV-1 infected optic nerves were immunostained for the presence of IL-1beta and IL-6, using horseradish peroxidase and diaminobenzidine as markers.


RESULTS
IL-1beta and IL-6 were found in astrocytes, macrophages, microglia, and endothelial cells. The great majority of astrocytes demonstrated strong immunoreactivity.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings support the premise that IL-1beta and IL-6 are significant pro-inflammatory mediators in AIDS-related optic neuropathy. This finding supports the theory that HIV infection stimulates the release of IL-1beta and IL-6 in astrocytes, macrophages, and endothelial cells in the optic nerve which ultimately leads to demyelination, astrogliosis, and neuronal destruction.
Saadati
H G
HG
University of Southern California School of Medicine Doheny Eye Institute Department of Ophthalmology, Los Angeles 90033, USA.
Khan
I A
IA
Lin
X H
XH
Kadakia
A B
AB
Heller
K B
KB
Sadun
A A
AA
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D004727:Endothelium / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism; D017628:Microglia / Q000378:metabolism; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000378:metabolism*; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*
D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6