Cytokine augmentation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gp120-specific cellular cytotoxicity

Currently available anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) agents such as azidothymidine can prevent de novo virus infection in vitro but lack significant activity against chronically infected cells. Our laboratory has recently described glycoprotein (gp)120-specific cell mediated cytotoxicity (CMC) present in HIV-1-seropositive individuals that is capable of destroying virally infected cells. As a means of potentially eliminating persistent reservoirs of HIV-1, we examined the ability of various cytokines to augment preexisting gp120-specific CMC activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from early disease patients. We found that interferon-gamma alone had no effect on gp120 cellular reactivity; however, the combination of interferon-gamma plus IL-2 produced enhancement beyond that of IL-2 alone.