Interleukin-6 release by cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells inversely correlates with height velocity, bone age, insulin-like growth factor-I, and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 serum levels in children with perinatal HIV-1 infection

Spontaneous and phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated interleukin (IL)-6 rele ase by cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells was related to height ve locity, bone age, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and IGF binding pro tein-3 (IGFBP-3) serum level standard deviation scores (SDS) of 32 children [aged 91 (median; range 13-151) months] with human immunodeficiency virus- type 1 (HIV-1) perinatal infection and severe disease. Spontaneous and PHA- stimulated IL-6 release inversely correlated with height velocity, bone age , IGF-I, and IGFBP-3 SDS, Ten children with height velocity SDS less than o r equal to -2, compared to 22 children with height velocity SDS > -2, showe d higher spontaneous and PHA-stimulated IL-6 release and lower IGF-I and IG FBP-3 SDS (irrespective of CD4-positive T-lymphocyte counts, viral load, li ver disease, or nutrition status). IL-6 overproduction may be a mechanism o f IGF-I and IGFBP-3 down-regulation and impaired linear growth in children with perinatal HIV-1 infection. Growth-promoting strategies, including targ eted anticytokine treatments, could be devised for such children. (C) 2000 Academic Press.