title: Effect of Saquinavir on proliferation and telomerase activity of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
abstract: The present study describes the effect of Saquinavir on proliferation, interferon-gamma production and telomerase activity of non-stimulated, or activated non-adherent mononuclear cells (NAMNC), obtained from peripheral blood of healthy donors. Fresh NAMNC, non-stimulated or activated in vitro with PHA or with a mixture of monoclonal antibodies against CD3 and against CD28 membrane antigens (in order to obtain prevalent T cell responses), were exposed to Saquinavir before or at the time of mitogenic stimulation. Control and treated cells were tested for DNA synthesis (3H-thymidine incorporation), interferon-gamma production and telomerase activity (TRAP assay). The results indicate that Saquinavir is able to increase proliferation and interferon-gamma release in PHA-stimulated NAMNC, and telomerase activity either in non-stimulated and in PHA or antibody-activated cells. These results suggest that the activity against HIV infection afforded by Saquinavir, could be corroborated by its effects on the host. These include its adjuvant activity on mitogen-induced responses of lymphocytes, and its possible antagonistic effects against lymphoid cell senescence, through telomerase activation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy. franzese@med.uniroma2.it
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Franzese
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lombardi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Comandini
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cannavò
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Testorelli
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cirello
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bonmassar
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology; D018106:CD28 Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D017320:HIV Protease Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D019258:Saquinavir / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019098:Telomerase / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018106:CD28 Antigens; D017252:CD3 Complex; D017320:HIV Protease Inhibitors; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D004247:DNA; D019098:Telomerase; D019258:Saquinavir