Modulation of accessory cell function and interleukin-6 production by the HIV-1 tat gene

Manifestations of HIV-1 infection such as fever, hypergammaglobulinemia, and interstitial pneumonitis may be due to increased production of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Monocytes/macrophages of HIV-1-infected individuals have been noted to produce increased amounts of IL-6, as well as to have enhanced accessory cell function. These studies examined the ability of HIV-1 tat, an important HIV-1 regulatory gene, to modulate monocyte/macrophage function. In these experiments, HIV-1 tat-transfected THP-1 cells, a monocytic cell line, enhanced THP-1 immune accessory cell function in the presence of pokeweed mitogen and concanavalin A. HIV-1 tat-transfected cells also increased production of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated IL-6 mRNA and IL-6 protein. The ability of monocytes/macrophages to support HIV-1 production while exhibiting little or no cytopathic effects allows these cells to serve as a reservoir for the virus. The ability of HIV-1 tat to regulate cellular function in monocytes/macrophages may play an important part in the pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection.