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Activated interferon system in healthy homosexual men.
Antiviral Research
|August 1, 1985
Summary
A significant number of healthy homosexual men exhibit an activated interferon system, suggesting potential viral infections. This finding may indicate an increased risk for developing Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Public Health
Background:
- An activated interferon (IFN) system, characterized by elevated blood IFN levels and increased IFN production, was observed in over 50% of healthy homosexual men in Israel.
- This immune pattern mimics that of acute viral illness and differs from healthy controls, suggesting an underlying biological anomaly.
- The presence of pH 2-labile Human Interferon-alpha (HuIFN-alpha) in the blood was notable, a type also found in certain autoimmune diseases and in homosexual men with Kaposi's sarcoma or lymphadenopathy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immune system's interferon response in a cohort of healthy homosexual men.
- To explore potential correlations between interferon levels, natural killer (NK) cell activity, and enzyme levels.
- To assess the implications of these findings regarding potential viral infections and the risk of developing Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
Main Methods:
- Measurement of blood interferon (IFN) levels.
- Assessment of in vitro IFN production by unstimulated and stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).
- Evaluation of antiviral state induction, Natural Killer (NK) cytotoxic activity, and (2'-5')-oligoisoadenylate synthetase levels.
Main Results:
- Markedly elevated blood IFN levels and increased spontaneous IFN production by PBMCs were found in over 50% of the cohort.
- A high incidence of an induced antiviral state was observed, alongside slightly lower NK cell activity compared to controls.
- Mean (2'-5')-oligoisoadenylate synthetase levels were intermediate between normal controls and patients with viral illness; no significant correlations were found between IFN levels, NK activity, or enzyme levels.
Conclusions:
- The activated interferon system and spontaneous IFN production suggest a possible persistent or latent viral infection in these individuals.
- The specific type of IFN detected (pH 2-labile HuIFN-alpha) may indicate a response to a novel virus, potentially a retrovirus like HTLV-III/LAV.
- Homosexual men with these immune characteristics might be at an elevated risk for developing AIDS.