IL-8 decreases HIV-1 transcription in peripheral blood lymphocytes and ectocervical tissue explants

IL-8 is enhanced in the peripheral blood and lymphoid tissue of HIV-infected individuals, suggesting that IL-8 is important in the pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection and progression to AIDS. Characterizing the mechanisms of IL-8 regulation of HIV-1 replication may be relevant in addressing the role of IL-8 as a therapeutic target in HIV-1 infection. We evaluated replication of primary R5-tropic HIV-1 in peripheral blood lymphocytes and ectocervical tissue explants infected in vitro in the presence of physiological concentrations of IL-8 found in the serum and genital tract secretions of HIV-infected individuals. To identify the specific stages of the viral life cycle targeted by IL-8, we performed real-time polymerase chain reaction to detect HIV-1 reverse transcription, integration, and transcription. Early during the infection, IL-8 decreased HIV-1 reverse transcription and viral integration. This effect was transient, as on day 4 after infection, we detected no differences on HIV-1 DNA or proviral DNA in peripheral blood lymphocyte. IL-8 decreased HIV-1 transcription in both lymphocytes and ectocervical tissue explants. The decrease in viral RNA expression was associated with reduced HIV-1 replication, as measured by viral p24 release in the culture supernatants. This is the first report to suggest that IL-8 decreases replication of primary R5-tropic HIV-1 by transcriptional mechanisms.