Sensitivity of human immunodeficiency virus infection to various alpha, beta and gamma chemokines

Examination of a large panel of chemokines indicates that in addition to RA NTES, MIP-1 alpha and MIP-1 beta, the beta-chemokine MCP-2 and, to a lesser extent, the gamma-chemokine lymphotactin also show antihuman immunodeficie ncy virus (HIV) activity in cell culture. The amount of chemokine needed to suppress HIV replication by greater than or equal to 50% was generally gre ater (greater than or equal to 250 ng/ml) than that required for inhibition of virus infection by RANTES, MIP-1 alpha and MIP-1 beta, The beta-chemoki ne MCP-3 was found to enhance the replication of both non-syncytium-inducin g (NSI) and syncytium-inducing (SI) viruses at high concentrations (0.5-5 m u g/ml). In contrast to a previous report, macrophage-derived chemokine was not found to inhibit HIV replication of either NSI or Si viruses, but at l ow concentrations enhanced NSI virus replication. When small amounts of RAN TES or MCP-2 were added together with high concentrations of non-inhibitory chemokines, the anti-HIV effects were countered. Information on chemokines that affect HIV infection could be useful for future therapeutic strategie s.