CXCR4 and CCR5 expression on CD4+ T cells in vivo and HIV-1 antigen beta-chemokine production in vitro after treatment with HIV-1 immunogen (REMUNE).
BACKGROUND
The chemokine receptors CXCR4 and CCR5 have been identified as the major coreceptors for HIV-1 on CD4+ cells and macrophages. The natural ligands for these receptors are SDF-1 and the beta-chemokines (MIP-1alpha, MIP-1beta, RANTES), respectively, and are the products of a variety of immune cells, including CD8+ T lymphocytes.


METHODS
We hypothesized that the ability to stimulate the natural ligands for these receptors using an immune based therapy might influence in vivo chemokine receptor expression.


RESULTS
In vivo CXCR4 expression remained stable after treatment with an HIV-1 Immunogen (REMUNE), whereas CCR5 expression on CD4+ T cells decreased (p < .05). Furthermore, HIV-1 antigen-specific production of beta-chemokines in vitro was also augmented (P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
These preliminary results suggest that this HIV-1-specific immune-based therapy can stimulate antigen-specific beta-chemokine production in vitro and downregulate CCR5 receptor expression on CD4 cells in vivo.
Moss
R B
RB
The Immune Response Corporation, Carlsbad, California 92008, USA. shotdoc@imnr.com
Giermakowska
W K
WK
Diveley
J P
JP
Savary
J R
JR
Wallace
M R
MR
Maigetter
R Z
RZ
Jensen
F C
FC
Carlo
D J
DJ
D016915:AIDS Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019742:Chemokines, CC / Q000276:immunology*; D015536:Down-Regulation; D015488:HIV Antigens / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D019713:Receptors, CCR5 / Q000378:metabolism*; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4 / Q000378:metabolism*; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage
D016915:AIDS Vaccines; D019742:Chemokines, CC; D015488:HIV Antigens; D019713:Receptors, CCR5; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; C105086:remune