Suppression of HIV replication in vitro by CD8+ T-cells from HIV-infected and HIV-seronegative individuals

Abstract

The inhibitory effect of CD8+ T-cells from HIV-infected or HIVseronegative individuals on HIV replication in the naturally-infected CD4+ T-cells in vitro was examined. Not only autologous CD8+ T-cells from HIV-infected individuals but also allogeneic CD8+ T-cells from HIV-seronegative individuals prevented or delayed HIV replication, even in transwell cocultures using a semipermeable 0.45 micron filter. The level of the inhibitory effect of allogeneic CD8+ Tcells from the HIV-seronegative individuals on the HIV replication was varied among CD4+ T-cells obtained from HIV-infected individuals used. The results suggested that CD8+ T-cells from HIV-seronegative individuals as well as HIVinfected individuals could produce some cytokine(s) which suppress HIV replication in vitro . The sensitivity to the cytokine(s) might be variable among HIV strains, depending on differences in the nucleotide sequence of different HIV-1 strains. Further studies of control of HIV replication by CD8+ anti-HIV cytokine(s) should provide new strategies for the therapy of HIV infection.