Int Conf AIDS. 1998;12:1008 (abstract no. 60034). Unique Identifier :

ISSUE: To elucidate why HIV can survive for a long period of time inside monocytes and macrophages. PROJECT: We studied the role of NO which its synthesis is mediated by nitric oxide synthetase enzyme and its production is increased by gamma INF. Monocytes and macrophages from normal individuals and HIV positive patients were separated and tested for cytotoxic activity and NO production. After infection of normal adherent cells with HIV, the same tests were done. We also studied cytotoxic activity of the normal adherent cells, normal adherent HIV infected cells and adherent cells from HIV positive individuals after NOS activity was blocked. RESULTS: We found that HIV infected monocytes and macrophages produce more NO in compare to controls and when these cells are activated by gamma INF, HIV infected cells have less cytotoxic activity for Toxoplasma. If NOS activity is blocked, then cytotoxic activity of HIV infected cells were restored comparable to that of normal cells. LESSONS LEARNED: Increase production of NO in HIV infected monocytes and macrophages contribute to the survival of HIV inside these cells and blocking NOS activity will eliminate intracellular HIV in these cells.

MEETING ABSTRACTS Cells, Cultured Cytotoxicity, Immunologic/IMMUNOLOGY Human HIV Infections/IMMUNOLOGY/*VIROLOGY HIV-1/*GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT Interferon Type II/PHYSIOLOGY Macrophages/IMMUNOLOGY/*VIROLOGY Monocytes/IMMUNOLOGY/*VIROLOGY Nitric Oxide/*METABOLISM Nitric-Oxide Synthase/ANTAGONISTS & INHIB/PHYSIOLOGY Virus Replication/PHYSIOLOGY