In HIV-1-infected patients, plasma levels of HIV-1 RNA are inversely correlated with IFN-alpha responsiveness of whole-blood cultures to sendai virus.
BACKGROUND
A diminished or totally blocked IFN-alpha production in cells from HIV-1-infected patients has been reported.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between the decreased in vitro production of IFN-alpha and the plasma level of HIV-1 RNA.


METHODS
Whole blood samples of 39 healthy subjects and 44 HIV-1-infected patients were incubated in the presence of Sendai virus for 24 h. IFN-alpha contained in supernatants was assayed by using an immunochemical method (DELFIA) and by using an antiviral assay. Plasma HIV-1 RNA was measured by the Amplicor HIV-1 monitor test.


RESULTS
The levels of IFN-alpha obtained were significantly lower in cultures from HIV-1 infected patients than in control subjects (P<0.0001). The antiviral activity in supernatants of Sendai virus-activated whole-blood cultures, assayed by protection of MDBK cells against vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), was significantly lower in cultures from HIV-1 infected patients than in corresponding controls (P<0.0001). IFN-alpha values determined by DELFIA and those determined by bioassay were significantly correlated. In vitro production of IFN-alpha by whole-blood cultures correlated well with the plasma levels of HIV-1 RNA (P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
In HIV-infected patients an increased rate of HIV-1 replication is associated with reduced responsiveness to induction of IFN-alpha by indicator virus, suggesting that HIV-1 replication causes impaired production of IFN-alpha by blood cells or vice-versa.
Chehadeh
W
W
Laboratoire de Virologie, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire, Institut Gernez-Rieux, 59037, Lille, France.
Chabou
S
S
Fontier
C
C
Alm
G
G
Lion
G
G
Bocket
L
L
Mouton
Y
Y
Wattré
P
P
Hober
D
D
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002460:Cell Line; D003470:Culture Media; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D018108:Respirovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D014779:Virus Replication
D003470:Culture Media; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012367:RNA, Viral