DECREASED DTH RESPONSE TO RECALL ANTIGENS IN MICE INJECTED WITH HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS TYPE 1-INFECTED U937 CELLS AND INFECTED WITH CANDIDA-ALBICANS

In previous studies, we have reported that the intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of HIV-1 infected human U937 cells into normal mice resulted in long-term persistence of anti-HIV antibodies and in a small percen tage (10-20%) of HIV-1 infected animals at 6-12 months after the injec tion. The study reported here was undertaken to detect T immune defect s in U937-HIV-1-injected mice. Eight months after the initial injectio n, a marked decrease in DTH response against U937 cells was detected i n HIV injected animals. In addition, a consistent decrease in DTH resp onse against a soluble mannoprotein antigen of Candida albicans cell w all (MP-F2) was also observed in U937-HIV-1-injected mice, chronically infected with a low-virulent strain of the fungus. No decrease in DTH response was observed in control-injected animals. These data indicat e that U937-HIV-1-injected mice become unable to mount a normal antige n-specific immune response. Although the mechanisms involved in the ge neration of these T cell defects remain unclear, these events appear t o be somehow related to the HIV-I infection and should be considered i n the current studies of HIV-1 infection with transgenic mice.