Abstract
Objective: To examine the effects of soluble factors secreted by human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cells on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) expression. Methods: Supernatants collected from cultured cervical biopsies and cervical cancer cell lines, and HPV-immortalized and normal keratinocytes were tested for the ability to induce HIV p24 production in two cell lines that contained latent HIV (the U1 monocytic line and the ACH-2 T cell line). Levels of HIV p24 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Culture supernatants were also assayed for the inflammatory cytokines interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor, and interleukin 1β by ELISA. Results: Supernatants from all epithelial cells tested upregulated HIV p24 expression in the U1 line but not in the ACH-2 cells. Only differentiated normal keratinocytes induced p24 production by ACH-2 cells. Neutralization of the cytokines, particularly interleukin 6, partially reduced the level of HIV-inducing activity in the culture supernatants. Additionally, cervical biopsies from HIV-infected women cultured in vitro also were able to induce HIV in U1 cells but not ACH-2 cells. Conclusions: Our results suggest that HPV infection of the cervix might influence HIV pathogenesis by inducing the production of immune and inflammatory factors that enhance HIV expression.
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