Tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels in HIV-1 seropositive injecting drug users.
TNF-alpha is a highly pleiotropic cytokine and plays an important role in regulating HIV-1 replication. It may compromise the integrity of the blood-brain-barrier and, thus, may contribute to the neurotoxicity of HIV-1-infection. Both intravenous drug abuse (IDU) and HIV infection can increase TNF-alpha activity, but little information is available on the effects of a combination of these factors on TNF-alpha. We investigated plasma TNF-alpha levels and mRNA in the peripheral monocytes of 166 men and women in three groups: HIV-1-positive IDUs, HIV-1-negative IDUs, and HIV-negative non-IDU control participants. HIV-1-positive IDUs had higher TNF-alpha levels than HIV-1-negative IDUs who, in turn, had higher levels than controls. TNF-alpha mRNA expression in peripheral monocytes was significantly increased in both HIV-1-positive and negative IDUs compared to controls. These findings show that the effects of HIV infection and intravenous drug use may be additive in increasing TNF-alpha levels. Given the multiple effects of TNF-alpha in HIV infection, additional investigation of its role is needed.
Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316, USA. rownby@enalan.com
Raymond L
RL
Ownby
Adarsh M
AM
Kumar
J
J
Benny Fernandez
Irina
I
Moleon-Borodowsky
Louis
L
Gonzalez
Seth
S
Eisdorfer
Drenna
D
Waldrop-Valverde
Mahendra
M
Kumar
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002469:Cell Separation; D003080:Cold Temperature; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D011312:Pressure; D012313:RNA / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D012313:RNA