Induction of HIV-1 replication by allogeneic stimulation

Allogeneic stimulation presents an immunologic challenge during pregnancy, blood transfusions, and transplantations, and has been associated with reac tivation of latently infected virus such as CMV, Since HIV-1 is transmitted vertically, sexually, or via contaminated blood, we have tested the effect s of allostimulation on HIV-1 infection. 1) We show that allostimulated lym phocytes are highly susceptible to acute infection with T cell-tropic or du al-tropic HIV-1. 2) We show that allostimulation has dichotomous effects on replication of macrophage-tropic HIV-1 it activates HIV expression in alre ady infected cells but inhibits HN entry by secreting HIV-suppressive CC ch emokines. 3) We show that allogeneic stimulation of latently infected, rest ing CD4(+) T cells induced replication of HIV-1 in these cells. These obser vations suggest that allogeneic stimulation may play a role in the transmis sion, replication, and phenotypic transition of HIV-1.