AIDSWEEKLY Plus; Monday, August 22, 2005
Staff Medical Writers

According to a study from the United States, "Clinical studies indicate that Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonococci (GC)) has the capacity to enhance HIV type 1 (HIV-1) infection. We studied whether GC enhances HIV infection of activated dendritic cells (DCs)."

"The results show that GC can dramatically enhance HIV replication in human DCs during coinfection. The GC component responsible for HIV infection enhancement may be peptidoglycan, which activates TLR2," reported scientists.

"TLR2 involvement is suggested by bacterial lipoprotein, a TLR2-specific inducer, which stimulates a strong enhancement of HIV infection by human DCs. Moreover, participation of TLR2 is further implicated because GC is unable to stimulate expression of HIV in DCs of TLR2-deficient HIV-1-transgenic mice," J.Z. Zhang and colleagues at Indiana University in Indianapolis wrote.

"These results provide one potential mechanism through which GC infection increases HIV replication in patients infected with both GC and HIV," concluded the authors.

Zhang and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Immunology (Neisseria gonorrhoeae enhances infection of dendritic cells by HIV type 1. J Immunol. 2005 Jun 15;174(12):7995-8002.

For more information, contact T. Chen, Indiana University, School of Medicine, Walther Oncology Center, Walther Oncology Institute, Dept. Microbiology & Immunology, Division Infectious Disease, MS415E, 635 Barnhill Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.

Publisher contact information for the Journal of Immunology is: American Association Immunologists, 9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.

Keywords: Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, HIV/AIDS, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Dendritic Cells, Viral Replication.

This article was prepared by AIDS Weekly editors from staff and other reports.

Reference

Zhang J, Li G, Bafica A, et al., Neisseria gonorrhoeae enhances infection of dendritic cells by HIV type 1, J Immunol. 2005 Jun 15;174(12):7995-8002.

PubMED Related articles Search

050822
AW050811

Copyright © 2005 - Charles Henderson, Publisher. All rights Reserved. Permission to reproduce granted to AEGIS by Charles W. Henderson. Authorization to reproduce for personal use granted granted by C. W. Henderson, Publisher, provided that the fee of US$4.50 per copy, per page is paid directly to the Copyright Clearance Center, 27 Congress Street, Salem, Massachusetts 01970, USA. Published by Charles Henderson, Publisher. Editorial & Publishing Office: P.O. Box 5528, Atlanta, GA 30307-0528 / Telephone: (800) 633-4931; Subscription Office: P.O. Box 830409, Birmingham, AL 35283-0409 / FAX: (205) 995-1588 http://www.newsrx.net

AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2005. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright © 1980,2005. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.