title: Macrophage protection by addition of glutathione (GSH)-loaded erythrocytes to AZT and DDI in a murine AIDS model.
abstract: Monocyte-macrophages play a central role in HIV-1 infection because they are among the first cells to be infected and because later they are important reservoirs for the virus. Thus, newly designed therapies should take into account the protection of this cell compartment. Herein, we report the results obtained in a murine AIDS model, by the addition to AZT+DDI of a system (GSH-loaded erythrocytes) able to protect macrophages against HIV-1 infection. Five groups of LP-BM5-infected mice were treated as follows: one group was treated by AZT, one group was treated by DDI, one group was treated by the combination of both, another by GSH-loaded erythrocytes, and finally, one by the combination of all three. After 10 weeks of infection the parameters of the disease were studied and the proviral DNA content in different organs and in macrophages of bone marrow and of the peritoneal cavity was quantified. The results obtained show that mice treated with AZT+DDI+GSH-loaded erythrocytes showed proviral DNA content in the brain and in macrophages of bone marrow that was significantly lower than in mice treated with AZT+DDI. This study may help developing strategies aimed at blocking HIV-1 replication in its reservoirs in the body.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biological Chemistry 'Giorgio Fornaini', University of Urbino, Via Saffi, 2 61029 (PU), Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fraternale
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Casabianca
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Orlandi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cerasi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chiarantini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brandi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Magnani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D016049:Didanosine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005978:Glutathione / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006942:Hypergammaglobulinemia / Q000821:virology; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000821:virology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D016183:Murine Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013163:Splenomegaly / Q000821:virology; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors; D015215:Zidovudine; D005978:Glutathione; D016049:Didanosine