HIV-1 infection in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) exposed to alcohol

Epidemiological and in vitro studies have implied that heavy alcohol consumption may increase an individual's risk of HIV-1 infection. To examine the role of alcohol in direct infection of T-cells, viral reverse transcripts and HIV-1 receptor expression were examined in infected peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) pretreated with alcohol. PCR results showed that alcohol increased HIV-1 DNA in PBLs by at least 10-fold. Alcohol enhanced the expression of the CXCR4 chemokine co-receptor but not the major HIV-1 CD4 receptor. Pretreatment with alcohol was also associated with increased intracellular cAMP. Thus, alcohol may facilitate enhanced viral infection by increasing the availability of HIV-1 co-receptor. This effect is associated with increases in intracellular cAMP.