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Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 enhances intracellular growth of Mycobacterium avium in human macrophages
G Källenius1, T Koivula, K J Rydgård
1National Bacteriological Laboratory, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract:
Disseminated Mycobacterium avium infections are common in patients with AIDS and result in a reduced life expectancy. Human monocytes/macrophages are important target cells for both human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and M. avium. We have studied the interaction in vitro of M. avium and HIV type 1 (HIV-1) in human macrophages. Human monocytes isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy individuals were infected with HIV-1, M. avium, or both. The intracellular growth of M. avium and the replication of HIV-1 were monitored for up to 5 weeks. Intracellular mycobacterial growth was seen in all M. avium infected cell cultures and was paralleled by increased production of interleukin 1 alpha and beta. Preinfection of the macrophages with HIV-1 reduced the interleukin 1 production and accelerated the intracellular growth of M. avium. These findings may explain in part the impaired control of mycobacterial infections seen with patients with AIDS.
Insights
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection accelerates Mycobacterium avium growth in macrophages. This interaction may explain the poor control of mycobacterial infections in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Disseminated Mycobacterium avium infections are prevalent in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients, reducing life expectancy.
- Human monocytes/macrophages are key target cells for both human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Mycobacterium avium (M. avium).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro interaction between M. avium and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) within human macrophages.
- To elucidate the impact of HIV-1 pre-infection on M. avium intracellular growth and cytokine production in macrophages.
Main Methods:
- Human monocytes from healthy donors were isolated and differentiated into macrophages.
- Macrophages were infected with HIV-1, M. avium, or co-infected with both.
- Intracellular M. avium growth and HIV-1 replication were monitored for up to 5 weeks.
- Interleukin 1 alpha and beta production was measured in infected macrophages.
Main Results:
- Intracellular growth of M. avium was observed in all infected macrophage cultures.
- M. avium infection led to increased production of interleukin 1 alpha and beta.
- Pre-infection with HIV-1 reduced interleukin 1 production and significantly accelerated intracellular M. avium growth.
Conclusions:
- HIV-1 infection enhances the intracellular proliferation of M. avium in human macrophages.
- The observed interaction, including reduced interleukin 1 production, may contribute to the impaired control of mycobacterial infections in AIDS patients.