Herpes simplex virus type 1 can either suppress or enhance human immunodeficiency virus type 1 replication in CD4-positive T lymphocytes.
It was proposed recently that CEM CD4-positive T cells infected chronically by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) (CEM(HSV/HIV)) may be used as a model for studying HIV/HSV interactions. To ascertain whether HSV-HIV coinfection of T lymphocytes has a role in promoting progression of lentiviral infection, T cells infected chronically by either HSV-1 (CEM(HSV)) or HIV-1 (CEM(HIV)) were challenged with a superinfecting dose of HIV-1 or HSV-1. The results show a positive influence on HIV growth when CEM(HIV) cells were superinfected with HSV-1 to an extent that was dependent on the multiplicity of superinfection used. In contrast, HIV superinfection of CEM(HSV) cells resulted in a delay of HIV-1 production and in a lack of HSV-mediated LTR transactivation. These effects were due to cell growth inhibition and apoptosis, resulting from persistent HSV-1 infection. Treatment of CEM(HSV) with acyclovir inhibited completely the HSV-1 cytopathic effects and allowed efficient HIV-1 replication. These data may be relevant in clarifying the role of HIV/HSV interaction in the pathogenesis of AIDS.
Calistri
Arianna
A
Department of Histology, Microbiology and Medical Biotechnologies, Section of Microbiology and Virology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Parolin
Cristina
C
Palù
Giorgio
G
D000212:Acyclovir; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000821:virology*; D002460:Cell Line; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000502:physiology*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014709:Vero Cells; D014779:Virus Replication
D000212:Acyclovir