HIV-1 recombinant gp41 induces IL-10 expression and production in peripheral blood monocytes but not in T-lymphocytes

• Published in: Immunology letters 1997-02, Vol.55 (2), p.109-113
• Main Authors: Koutsonikolis, Angelos, Haraguchi, Soichi, Brigino, Emerita N., Owens, Una E., Good, Robert A., Day, Noorbibi K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AIDS/HIV; Chemical Fractionation; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Gene Expression; gp41; HIV Envelope Protein gp120 - immunology; HIV Envelope Protein gp120 - pharmacology; HIV Envelope Protein gp41 - immunology; HIV Envelope Protein gp41 - pharmacology; HIV-1; HIV-1 - chemistry; Humans; IL-10; Interleukin-10 - biosynthesis; Interleukin-10 - genetics; Monocytes - drug effects; Monocytes - immunology; Recombinant Proteins - immunology; Recombinant Proteins - pharmacology; RNA, Messenger - analysis; T-Lymphocytes - drug effects; T-Lymphocytes - immunology
• ISSN: 0165-2478; 1879-0542
• DOI: 10.1016/S0165-2478(97)02695-3

The effects of recombinant gp41 (rgp41) protein of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) on interleukin 10 (IL-10) expression and production using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells was investigated. Expression of IL-10 mRNA was demonstrated within 3 h of cell exposure to endotoxin-free rgp41 by RT-PCR and Northern blot analyses in a time- and dose-dependent manner. IL-10 protein was detected in the supernatants of peripheral blood mononuclear cells following stimulation with rgp41 also in a dose dependent manner. Fractionation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells showed that purified monocytes but not purified T-lymphocytes induced expression of IL-10 mRNA by rgp41. Recombinant HIV-1 gp120 exhibits similar influences on the induction of IL-10. These results indicate that both of these components of envelope proteins may play an important role in HIV related immunomodulation by influencing regulatory functions of monocytes and macrophages.