CHEMOATTRACTANT FACTORS (IP-10, MIP-1-ALPHA, IL-16) MESSENGER-RNA EXPRESSION IN MONONUCLEAR-CELLS FROM DIFFERENT TISSUES DURING ACUTE SIVMAC251 INFECTION OF MACAQUES

We have used semiquantitative RT-PCR to monitor the expression of mRNA encoding chemoattractant factors IP-10, MIP-1 alpha, and IL-16 in fre shly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), lymph node m ononuclear cells (LNMCs), and mononuclear cells obtained after broncho alveolar lavages (BALMCs) of two cynomolgus macaques inoculated intrav enously with a pathogenic isolate of simian immunodeficiency virus, SI Vmac251. Concomitant with the peak of systemic viral replication (two weeks after experimental inoculation) and proinflammatory cytokine IL- 6 mRNA expression, high levels of MIP-1 alpha and IP-10 mRNA were prod uced in LNMCs and BALMCs. In BALMCs, in which we have reported a marke d progressive overexpression of IFN-gamma mRNA coinciding with an incr ease in the CD8+ lymphocyte percentages, we noticed a progressive over expression of IL-16 mRNA. Our results suggest the role of chemokines I P-10, MIP-1 alpha, and IL-16 in the development of inflammatory and im mune responses during the early stages of lentiviral infection.