INTERLEUKIN-9 RECEPTOR-ALPHA CHAIN MESSENGER-RNA FORMATION IN CD8(-CELLS PRODUCING ANTI-HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS TYPE-1 SUBSTANCE(S)() T)

A search for gene(s) associated with anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) activity of CD8(+) T cells was attempted using molecul ar cloning and the relation between the anti-HSV activity of CD8(+) T cells and the interleukin-9 receptor alpha chain (IL-9R-alpha) mRNA ex pression from the cDNA clones obtained was examined. The anti-HIV-1 ac tivity of CD8(+) T cell culture supernatants was assessed by measuring the level of HIV-1 replication in a CD4(+) T cell line transfected wi th an infectious HIV-1 DNA clone. IL-9R-alpha mRNA was assayed by reve rse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Of 5 cases showi ng high level of anti-HIV-1 activity (more than 80% suppression of HIV -1 replication), the mRNA was detected in 4 cases. Of 10 cases showing low level of anti-HIV-1 activity (less than 80% suppression of HIV-1 replication), the mRNA was detected in one case. Soluble recombinant h uman IL-9 receptor (rhIL-9sR) did not suppress HIV-1 replication at a concentration of 1 mu g/ml. These data suggest that the IL-9R-alpha mR NA formation in CD8(+) T cells may correlate with and play some role i n the anti-HIV-1 activity of CD8(+) T cells from HIV-1-infected indivi duals.