IMMUNOMODULATORY EFFECTS OF ANTIRETROVIRAL DRUGS ON HUMAN AUTOREACTIVE RESPONSE

The in vitro effect of antiretroviral drugs AZT and ddC on peripheral autoreactive response was evaluated. Both drugs exerted a dose-depende nt inhibition on the proliferative response of two human autoreactive cell lines, following stimulation with autologous peripheral blood mon onuclear cells. After a three day culture, ddC showed a stronger inhib itory effect respect to AZT that, on the contrary, exerted an earlier effect probably due to its proven passive diffusion into cells. A comb ined dose of AZT and ddC did not enhance suppression of the autoreacti ve response of cell lines. Furthermore, a slight decrease of the expre ssion of DR molecules on cultured cells, after treatment with AZT and ddC, has been observed. These data add more information on modulatory effects of AZT and ddC on normal human immune function. More interesti ngly, as autoreactive T cells may have a role in early phases of HIV i nfection, the here observed drug activity on autoreactive T cells coul d be taken into account in case of planning therapeutic administration of AZT and ddC just after exposure to HIV.