IL-12 and IL-4 stimulated HIV replication inhibited by dideoxynucleosides. (interleukin)

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) and IL-4 can stimulate HIV replication by T cells and HIV-induced cytopathicity of the CD4(+) T-cell subset, researchers report.

The observations may have significant implications for the pathogenesis of HIV immunodeficiency, stated Andrea Foli, U.S. National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, and colleagues ("Effects of the Th[1] and Th[2] Stimulatory Cytokines Interleukin-12 and Interleukin-4 on Human Immunodeficiency Virus Replication," Blood, April 15, 1995;85(8):2114-2123).

The researchers stated that their findings, as well as data from earlier studies, provide a rationale for the clinical testing of dideoxynucleoside drugs (such as zidovudine and stavudine) in combination with IL-12 in HIV infected patients.

Foli et al. noted that IL-12 plays an important role in the expansion of Th[1] cells and the development of type-1 responses in the murine as well as human immune system. IL-4 is thought to stimulate the expansion of …