CYTOKINES IN HIV-INFECTION

Human immunodeficiency virus infection leads to a deregulated producti on of a number of cytokines. Some of them (IL-1, IL-6, TNF-alpha, inte rferon-gamma) are produced in increased amounts in vivo, whereas the p roduction of IL-2 is decreased. This latter abnormality plays a pivota l role in the establishment of the immunodeficiency. Some cytokines (I L-1, IL-6, TNF-alpha) stimulate the in vitro replication of HIV, where as others (mainly the interferons) inhibit it. The effect of cytokines in vivo in the spreading of HIV remains, however, largely unknown. Cy tokines may also be involved in the development of many clinical manif estations associated with HIV infection. IL-I, IL-6 and TNF-alpha may play a role in tissue damages associated with opportunistic infections , in HIV-related encephalopathy and in cachexia. Cytokines, mainly IL- 6, IL-IO and IL-13, may stimulate the growth of malignant cells during Kaposi sarcoma or lymphomas. Better knowledge of the role of cytokine s during HIV infection should allow new therapeutic approaches based o n the use of either recombinant cytokines or specific antagonists, wit h the aim of limiting both HIV spreading and the clinical manifestatio ns of this infection.