title: Enhanced endogenous type I interferon cell-driven survival and inhibition of spontaneous apoptosis by Riluzole.
abstract: Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), although effective in improving the survival of HIV-1-infected individuals, has not been able to reconstitute the adaptive immune response. We have described the use of novel chemical agents to restore T-cell survival/proliferation by inducing cytokine production. Due to its cationic amphiphilic structure, these molecules appear to enhance immune restoration. In this study, we investigated the action of Riluzole (2-amino-6-trifuromethoxybenzothiazole) in HIV-1 infection. Riluzole is able to increase (effective dose from 1 to 1000 nM) the cell-survival of T cells from HIV-1-infected patients and inhibit spontaneous apoptosis. The immunomodulatory effect of riluzole-sensitized cells was ascribed to endogenous type I interferon (IFN) derived from monocytes. Riluzole might be used for restoring the cell survival of immunocompromised patients and eliminating latent infected cells upon HIV-1 reactivation.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire des Interférons/Sarcolectine, Université Paris Descartes, Centre Universitaire des Saint Pères, 45 Rue des Saints-Pères 75006 Paris, France. ammar.achour@biomedicale.univ-paris5.fr
authors.forename: Ammar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Achour
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: M'Bika
authors.forename: Jean-Michel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Biquard
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000276:immunology; D019782:Riluzole / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007370:Interferon Type I; D019782:Riluzole