Effects of in vitro ethanol on tumor necrosis factor-alpha production by blood obtained from simian immunodeficiency virus-infected rhesus macaques.
BACKGROUND
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), a product of monocytes and macrophages, functions as an important proinflammatory cytokine in the host's response to invading pathogens.


METHODS
Because both alcohol abuse and human immunodeficiency virus infection affect TNF-alpha production and are known to frequently coexist, this study examined the effects of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection and in vitro alcohol exposure on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced TNF-alpha response in blood obtained from SIV-negative and -positive animals at the asymptomatic and terminal stages of infection.


RESULTS
Spontaneous TNF-alpha production was undetectable or low in all groups examined. LPS-induced TNF-alpha production was increased in blood obtained at the asymptomatic (746 +/- 226 pg/ml) and terminal (1945 +/- 1013 pg/ml) stages, compared with that from SIV-negative animals (210 +/- 28 pg/ml), whereas TNF-alpha messenger RNA content did not differ in LPS-stimulated blood obtained from SIV-negative, asymptomatic SIV-positive, or terminal SIV-positive animals. Ethanol treatment suppressed TNF-alpha protein production in all groups, whereas TNF-alpha messenger RNA levels remained unchanged in blood obtained from animals not infected with SIV.


CONCLUSIONS
Blood cellular elements remain responsive to LPS stimulation with respect to TNF production even into the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome stage of SIV disease. However, intoxicating doses of alcohol suppress this response, and this may contribute to the immunocompromised state of the host.
Stoltz
David A
DA
Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary/Critical Care, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, USA.
Nelson
Steve
S
Kolls
Jay K
JK
Zhang
Ping
P
Bohm
Rudolf P
RP
Murphey-Corb
Michael
M
Bagby
Gregory J
GJ
D000818:Animals; D001769:Blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology*; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000097:blood; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016097:Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D015302:Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000431:Ethanol