Lactobacilli and vaginal host defense: Activation of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 long terminal repeat, cytokine production, and NF-kappa B

Lactobacilli, a component of the normal vaginal flora, can activate the hum an immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 long terminal repeat (LTR) in the Jurkat T lymphocyte and THP-1 macrophage cell lines. Activation of the LTR in Jurk at cells was strongly enhanced by vanadate and inhibited by catalase, impli cating H2O2. In contrast, activation in THP-1 cells occurred in the absence of vanadate and was unaffected by catalase, The active material partitione d into the phenol layer on hot aqueous phenol extraction, Lactobacilli also increased tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 beta production an d activated NF-kappa B in THP-1 cells and increased tumor necrosis factor-a lpha production by human monocytes. Human vaginal fluid specimens had compa rable properties, which correlated with their bacterial content. These find ings suggest the presence in vaginal fluid of agent(s) derived from indigen ous bacteria that can activate the HIV-1 LTR, cytokine production, and NF-k appa B in cells of macrophage lineage, with possible influence on vaginal p hysiology and host defense.