Inhibition of growth of HIV by human natural interferon in vitro

The effect of human natural interferons (IFN) alpha, beta, and gamma on the replication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) strain LAV in T cell lines TALL-1 and CCRF-CEM and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) was studied. The growth of TALL-1 was moderately sensitive to these IFN, whereas that of CCRF-CEM was resistant to them. The progeny virus yield of LAV in TALL-1 at the time of its peak was reduced to 10% of the control level at IFN-alpha, beta, and gamma concentrations of 3, 11, and 23 IU/ml, respectively. These concentrations of IFN-alpha, beta, and gamma did not affect the cell growth. In CCRF-CEM, IFN-alpha, beta, and gamma at the concentration of 50, 60, and 76 IU/ml reduced the progeny virus to 10% of the control level. The virus growth in PBL was more sensitive to IFN than that in CCRF-CEM. The progeny virus yield was reduced to 10% of the control level by IFN-alpha and beta concentrations of 5 IU/ml and less than 5 IU/ml, respectively.