In vitro HIV-specific CTL activity from HIV-seropositive individuals is augmented by interleukin-12 (IL-12).
IL-12 production is reduced in HIV infection, and recombinant human IL-12 (rhIL-12) augments in vitro HIV-specific proliferative responses in PBMC from HIV-seropositive individuals. To determine whether rhIL12 could also augment HIV-specific CTL responses we studied 41 HIV-seropositive individuals. Recombinant hIL-12 increased the detectable in vitro HIV-specific CD8 CTL activity of PBMC taken from HIV-seropositive individuals with CD4 counts >500 cells/microl and from some individuals with lower CD4 counts. IL-12 increased cell recovery in cultures of PBMC from HIV-seropositive individuals with CD4 counts >500 cells/microl and also increased the precursor CTL frequency. However, the increase in HIV-specific CTL activity was not due to IL-2 or IFN-gamma production or an increase in the number of cells with surface markers characteristic of CTL effector cells. This study demonstrates that rhIL-12 augments in vitro HIV-specific CTL activity and provides evidence to justify further investigation within clinical trials of this cytokine in HIV infection.
Young
J M
JM
Department of Immunology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia. jyou5571@mail.usyd.edu.au
Ffrench
R A
RA
Clarkson
J D
JD
Stewart
G J
GJ
Liang
T
T
Tideman
R L
RL
Packham
D
D
Fulcher
D A
DA
Benson
E M
EM
D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D018023:HIV Seronegativity / Q000276:immunology; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000276:immunology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D018664:Interleukin-12